According to the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT), eight traffic-related deaths occurred in the first 10 days of November, bringing the total number of state traffic fatalities between January 1 to November 9, 2022 to 103.  This is an additional 25 fatalities compared to those that took place during the same time last year.

Comparing the 2021 and 2022 year-to-date fatalities, there has been a 17 person increase in motor vehicle occupant fatalities, a six person increase in pedestrian deaths, an increase of two fatalities involving motorcycle, moped, or scooter operators, and an increase by one for bicycle fatalities.

Contributing factors amongst these recent November deaths include motorcycle/scooter operators not wearing helmets, speed, and impairment.

HDOT’s attitude and behavioral survey revealed that only 19% of motorcycle operators surveyed reported always stopping for emergency vehicles and only 53% reported looking for pedestrians before preceding through a crosswalk. Motorcycle operators are also the least likely among the modes to always provide the minimum of 3-feet of space between themselves and a bicyclist at 13%.

In addition, 47% of motorcyclists surveyed reported driving through a red light in the past six months and driving while feeling buzzed, and 41% admitted to driving 20 mph over the posted speed limit in the past six months.

Only 42% of motorcyclists surveyed wear a helmet, and 32% admit to operating a motorcycle without a license.  In Hawaii helmets are required for anyone under eighteen years of age to operate or ride on a motorcycle, moped, or motor scooter.

To be considered a motor vehicle fatality in the state of Hawaiʻi, the fatal crash must involve a motor vehicle traveling on a traffic way customarily open to the public and must result in a death of at least one person (occupant of a vehicle or a non-motorist) within 30 days of the crash.