Department of Transportation | HDOT and partner agencies kick off No Excuses campaign prior to the holiday season

HONOLULU – Site visitors security advocates across the state have only one want this vacation season–for everybody to reach alive. To make this want come true, the Hawaii Division of Transportation (HDOT), Hawaii State Division of Well being, 4 county police departments, MADD Hawaii, group members and different visitors security companions are teaming as much as remind everybody to drive safely, be aware of all roadway customers and buckle up. If all of us take these easy steps, all our family and friends can ring within the New 12 months collectively.

Preliminary state information signifies that there’s a 13-percent enhance in visitors fatalities from final yr (80 in comparison with 71 throughout the identical time final yr). Of the 80 fatalities, practically half have been associated to dashing. Considerably there was a 142-percent enhance in bike fatalities, with 29 motorcyclists killed in comparison with 12 throughout the identical time final yr. Toxicology outcomes are nonetheless pending on many 2021 visitors fatalities. These outcomes will inform impaired driving-related statistics, however historic information reveals practically half of the drivers in deadly crashes in Hawaii examined constructive for medication or alcohol.

Main into and all through the vacations, HDOT and its visitors security companions will likely be growing training, enforcement and group engagement, beginning with a somber reminder of why we do what we do. On Nov. 21 (World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims), HDOT, the Honolulu Police Division (HPD), Maui Police Division, Kauai Police Division, Hawaii Police Division, MADD Hawaii and companion companies will mild digital candles and be a part of nationwide and worldwide companions in remembering the individuals killed in visitors crashes.

“These victims now not have voices, so we’re talking for them and doing our greatest to ensure there aren’t any extra of those mindless and preventable tragedies,” HDOT Deputy Director for Highways Ed Sniffen mentioned. “It’s completely heartbreaking for the households who must say goodbye due to another person’s irresponsible actions. There actually isn’t any excuse for all of those harmful behaviors and tragic deaths.”

The “No Excuses” vacation enforcement and training will start on Wednesday, Nov. 24, with signal waving held in quite a few areas all through the state and strict enforcement of visitors security legal guidelines, together with dashing, impaired driving, distracted driving, seat belt and pedestrian security.

Members of the family and mates of victims killed in speed-related and/or impaired driving crashes will likely be current at choose signal waving websites to share their tales.

As well as, all 4 county police departments will likely be conducting sobriety checkpoints and/or saturation patrols. For the third yr, the Maui Police Division will dedicate a checkpoint on Nov. 24 to the reminiscence of Hannah Brown, who was 19 years previous when she was killed by an impaired driver in 2019.

“Regulation enforcement companies throughout the state proceed to conduct visitors enforcement to forestall mindless tragedies and save lives,” Appearing Main James Slayter of the HPD’s Site visitors Division mentioned. “Our dedication hasn’t wavered, however we want everybody else to do their half, too. Decelerate, drive sober, put on your seat belt and be careful for all roadway customers so that everybody can get dwelling safely.”

“As a group, we will’t simply anticipate this downside to repair itself or simply go away,” Slayter added. “We should all come collectively and share the accountability to make sure our roadways are protected.”

Different vacation security marketing campaign actions will embrace:

• Public service bulletins (PSA) that will likely be airing on tv and social media platforms. The PSAs remind drivers that there isn’t a excuse for driving whereas impaired or dashing, and to decelerate and benefit from the trip.
• MADD Hawaii Pink Ribbon Problem – Take the MADD Red Ribbon Challenge and present your dedication to by no means drink and drive. Be inventive with the place you Tie One On for Security and publish a photograph or video of your MADD Pink Ribbon on social media with #RedRibbonChallenge808. Don’t overlook to tag MADD Hawaii on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Choose up your purple ribbons from Aloha Island Marts, Foodland and Napa Auto Elements statewide.
• In help of MADD’s Tie One On for Security marketing campaign, HDOT will likely be tying a purple ribbon on all Freeway Service Patrol vans and all Highways Division state autos all through the vacations.

Secure journey ideas

HDOT urges Hawaii’s roadway customers to:

• Decelerate and obey the pace limits;
• All the time buckle up – each journey, day and evening, year-round;
• Plan a protected approach dwelling earlier than you begin consuming intoxicants;
• Keep in mind that it’s by no means okay to drink and drive. Even one alcoholic beverage can sluggish response occasions and impair judgement; and,
• If somebody who’s about to drive whereas impaired, be a real good friend and take their keys away. Assist them make different preparations to get them to their vacation spot safely.