HILO, Hawaii (AP) - Big Island DUI arrests fell to a 10-year low during the period immediately after the state issued a stay-at-home order to stem the spread of the coronavirus.
Democratic Gov. David Ige’s March 25 order was followed by five weeks of single-digit drunken driving arrests on Hawaii island, The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported Monday.
The 31 DUI arrests by the Hawaii Police Department between March 23 and April 26 were the fewest for a period of that length in more than a decade.
During the week of March 9-15, police made 25 DUI arrests. The following week, March 16-22, there were only 13 DUI arrests. The second week was prior to the stay-at-home order but after the public became widely aware of the growing pandemic.
In the week of March 23-29, when Ige ordered nonessential workers to remain at home, Hawaii police made only three DUI arrests.
Hawaii Police Chief Paul Ferreira said the decrease could be attributed to the closure of bars and restaurants serving alcohol.
In past two weeks, DUI arrests have risen to double digits again, with 11 between April 27 and May 3, and 14 during the week of May 4-11.
“Traffic has increased on the highway,” Ferreira said. “Even during the workday, you notice more cars on the road now.”
The increased traffic was particularly noticeable May 8, when nonessential businesses deemed low risk were allowed to reopen, Ferreira said.
Officers continue to make DUI arrests, but the department has not reestablished checkpoints.
“To do a DUI roadblock, to get probable cause, you’ve got to get up in somebody’s face,” Ferreira said. “You’ve got to be able to detect the odor of alcohol or you’ve got to notice the signs. So you’ve got to be in real close proximity with the driver.
He added: “It kind of defeats the purpose of social distancing.”
For most people, the new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death. The vast majority of people recover.
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