Maui Police Launch Halloween Impaired Driving Enforcement Campaign on Friday

The Maui Police Department’s Traffic Division will be enforcing its zero-tolerance response to impaired driving over the Halloween weekend, beginning on Friday, Oct. 29, 2021.

The public can expect saturation patrols and a noticeable increase in traffic enforcement to include impaired driving checkpoints. Police say patrols will include the use of unmarked patrol vehicles.

To date, we have had 478 impaired driving arrests (which include 20 habitual impaired driving arrests), compared to 417 impaired driving arrests this same time last year. Impaired driving arrests in Maui County have experienced a 15% increase this year alone.

“Even more concerning is Maui County has seen a 133% increase in fatal motor vehicle crashes in 2021, with 64% being attributed to both speeding and impaired drivers,” according to Maui Police.

In the State of Hawaiʻi, an Impaired Driving arrest becomes a felony on the third arrest following two prior convictions within 10 years of the instant offense. Or if a person was convicted of Habitual Impaired Driving one or more times within 10 years prior to the instant offense.

“We need our community to understand: It is up to them to make the smart decision to drive sober and help put an end to these senseless preventable deaths occurring on our roadways,” said Lieutenant William Hankins, Commander of the Maui Police Department’s Traffic Division. “The Maui Police Department does not tolerate impaired driving. If you are caught driving impaired, you will be arrested.”

The public can report suspected impaired driving incidents to police by calling 808-244-6400.

“You could help save a life. We humbly request the public’s help. Your support is critical to helping us make our roads safer and stopping preventable impaired driving deaths from occurring,” according to a department press release.

The MPD offered the following tips for celebrating safely:

• Plan a safe way home before you start consuming intoxicants.
• If you have been drinking, utilize Uber or Lyft (Smartphone driven online transportation networks), take a taxi, call a sober friend or family member.
• If you know someone who is about to drive while impaired, be a true friend and take his or her keys. Help them make other arrangements to get to where they are going safely.
• Help keep our roadways safe for everyone by making the smart choice to not drink and drive.