Personal Injury Law

Drunk Drivers Caused 40% of Traffic Fatalities In Hawaii In 2006

By Wayne Parsons

Alcohol Alert, a company that sells prevention devices to reduce drunk driving, and drunk driving injury and death report on Hawaii Drunk Driving Statistics:

In Hawaii, the alcohol related deaths have declined by over 50% since 1982, from a high that same year of 103, to a low of 44 in 1999. Recent years, however, have shown a moderate increase. The percentage of drunk driving deaths of the total traffic fatalities has shown a steady decline from a high in 1983 of 67%. In 2006, out of all traffic fatalities, 40% involved a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher.

All 50 states in the US now apply two statutory offenses to operating a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. The first (and original) offense is known either as driving under the influence (DUI), driving while intoxicated/impaired (DWI), or operating while intoxicated/impaired (OWI). This is based upon a police officer's observations (driving behavior, slurred speech, the results of a roadside sobriety test, etc.)

The second offense is called "illegal per se", which is driving with a BAC of 0.08% or higher. Since 2002 it has been illegal in all 50 states to drive with a BAC that is 0.08% or higher.

In Hawaii, 1st , 2nd and 3rd offenses are petty misdemeanors, 4th or subsequent offense is a class C felony. Citation:Hawaii Revised Statutes (HRS) §§ 291E-61, 701-107(5) & 706-660.

Full post as published by Honolulu Personal Injury Lawyer on August 30, 2009 (boomark / email).