As part of Hawai‘i Police Department’s (HPD) ongoing outreach efforts during Distracted Driving Month, HPD and the County of Hawai‘i Office of the Prosecuting Attorney are teaming up to remind the public that April is also Alcohol Awareness Month. In conjunction with this national effort, HPD officers, staff from Prosecuting Attorney’s office, sheriffs from the Department of Public Safety, personnel from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, along with volunteers from local businesses will hold a sign waiving event in Hilo reminding motorists to drive sober on April 23, 2021, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., fronting Walmart along Māmalahoa Highway.

Established in 1987, Alcohol Awareness Month was developed in order to increase awareness and understanding of one of our country’s top public health problems: alcoholism. Alcohol is the most used substance by youth and adults in the United States.

Recent studies have shown that alcohol use has increased since the pandemic began. So far this year, there have been 384 DUI arrests in Hawai‘i County compared to 281 during the same time last year, an increase of 36.7 percent.

Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive. Even if you’ve had only one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride service to get home safely. Locally, 56 of the 237 major accidents on Hawai‘i Island roads thus far this year, (23 percent), have been due to alcohol impairment.

Hawai‘i police remind motorists that if you see a vehicle that’s driving erratic or appears to be operated by a driver who is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, please call the Hawai‘i Police Department immediately at either 911, in an emergency, or the department’s non-emergency line at (808) 935-3311. It takes our entire community working together to have the greatest impact on making our roads safe.