Big Island police arrest 21 for alleged drunken driving

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Hawaii Island police arrested 21 motorists for driving under the influence of an intoxicant between Dec. 8 and Sunday. Three of the drivers were involved in traffic crashes; three were younger than 21.

Hawaii Island police arrested 21 motorists for driving under the influence of an intoxicant between Dec. 8 and Sunday. Three of the drivers were involved in traffic crashes; three were younger than 21.

So far this year, there have been 1,103 DUI arrests compared with 1,270 during the same period last year, according to the Hawaii Police Department.

South Hilo officers arrested nine motorists while Puna officers arrested six and Kona officers four. Officers in South Kohala and Kaʻu arrested one motorist in each district.

There have been 1,468 major accidents so far this year compared with 1,283 during the same period last year, according to police.

There have also been 11 traffic fatalities on the island compared with 25 during the same period last year, according to police. To date, three fatalities were related to drugs and three fatalities were related to a combination of alcohol and drugs.