The Hawai‘i County Police Department is teaming up with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this Thanksgiving to remind motorists that drug-impaired driving is dangerous and illegal.

“People are familiar with the phrase ‘don’t drink and drive,’ however, they are less familiar with the impacts of driving impaired by prescription or illegal drugs,” says Torey Keltner, Program Manager for Hawai‘i Police Department’s Traffic Services Section in a press release.

Drivers need to understand that using some cold medications or over-the-counter sleep aids can impair their driving, which may lead to a DUI arrest.

This year there have been 33 traffic fatalities on Hawai‘i Island roads, with impairment a factor in 14, or 42 percent, of those deaths. Six of the fatalities were due to drugs only, an additional six deaths were due to a combination of drugs and alcohol, and two deaths were caused by alcohol only. However, toxicology reports are still pending on the other 19 fatalities and the percentage of fatalities due to impairment is expected to increase.

In 2021 there were 26 traffic fatalities on Hawai‘i Island roads. Impairment was a factor in 21 of the 26 fatalities, with drugs playing a role in 20 of the 21 impaired deaths.

Driving under the influence of a drug played a similar role in 2020 traffic fatalities. Of the 15 traffic deaths in 2020, impairment was a factor in 12 people dying, with drugs playing a role in nine of the 12 impaired traffic fatalities.

HPD will be out in force and on the lookout for impaired drivers throughout the holiday season.

The following tips have been released to help the public to remain safe:

●    Individuals planing on going to a party or event should plan ahead and designate a sober driver or use public transportation or a ride-sharing service. Someone who is affected by drugs or alcohol shouldn’t be making decisions about driving.

●   Individuals who used an impairing substance should not drive. Passengers should never ride with an impaired driver.

●    Anyone who sees a friend who is about to drive while impaired by drugs, should take the keys away and arrange for them to get home safely.

●    Individuals who see an impaired driver on the road should contact the police department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311.