Maui’s “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Campaign Runs Through the New Year’s Weekend

The Maui Police Department will be highlighting the dangers of impaired driving with increased enforcement tonight through the holiday weekend.

Motorists can also expect Police to have an increased presence checking for impaired drivers with the use of saturation patrols, and intoxication control checkpoints.

The effort is part of the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration’s Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement campaign. 

“On behalf of the Maui Police Department Traffic Division, we would like to wish everyone a safe and Happy New Year. As our community prepares for the New Year with family and friends, the Maui Police Department will be working tirelessly to keep everyone traveling on our roadways safe,” police said in a press release.

In addition to increased impaired driving enforcement, motorists can expect to see officers proactively enforcing speeding, seat belt, and cell phone- talking/texting laws, as well as violators running red traffic signals.

Currently, Maui County has sustained 10 traffic fatalities this year. Four of these fatalities or 40 percent involved someone impaired by alcohol or drugs. 

“In addition to reminding all drivers to drive sober, we are asking for the help and support of our community. If someone you know is about to drive after drinking, take his or her keys, offer another alternative, and help us prevent a tragedy. Take care of your loved ones this holiday, and let’s make sure everyone arrives home safely. Working together as a community, we can all help do our part to make our roads safer,” said Lieutenant William Hankins, Maui Police Department- Traffic Division Commander.

The department offered the following tips to keep the holidays safe:

• Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive. Even if you have only had one alcoholic beverage, make other plans to get home safely.
• If you know you will be drinking, do not plan on driving.  Plan ahead; designate a sober driver before the party begins. 
• If you have been drinking, do not drive. Call a taxi, Uber, Lyft, phone a sober friend or family member, or use our public bus system.
• Remember a sober driver is not the person who drank the least.  It is someone who did not drink at all.
• Always wear your seat belt—it is your best defense in a crash.