The Hawai‘i County Police Department and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) are teaming up for a nationwide campaign to prevent drunk driving beginning today through Labor Day weekend.

With two weeks until the holiday, the department is urging residents and visitors to plan ahead and drive safely as part of the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” initiative.

Residents and visitors can expect increased patrols and sobriety checkpoints across Hawai‘i Island throughout the high-visibility enforcement campaign.

Locally, as of August 13, 2025, in Hawai’i County there have been 14 fatal crashes resulting in 15 fatalities with impairment by alcohol or drugs a factor in 50 percent of those deaths.

HPD is offering the following driving tips for a safe holiday weekend:
•    Use public transportation, rideshare services, or call a friend if you’re impaired.
•    If hosting an event, ensure guests have access to safe transportation options.
•    Be aware of the consequences: drunk driving offenders face fines, license suspensions, and possible imprisonment.