The number of traffic accidents and traffic fatalities on Kaua’i parallels that of the rest of the state: A downward trend. But the incidents could go up here because of increased traffic on the island, says a Kaua’i Police Department
The number of traffic accidents and traffic fatalities on Kaua’i parallels
that of the rest of the state: A downward trend.
But the incidents could
go up here because of increased traffic on the island, says a Kaua’i Police
Department official. If they do, the accidents could result in more
hospitalization, grief for drivers and their families, and higher auto
insurance premiums.
In 1999, Kaua’i County recorded eight traffic
fatalities and 471 major and 1,019 minor crashes. The numbers in previous years
included:
l 1998: Three fatalities, 454 major accidents and 963 minor
mishaps.
l 1997: 11 fatalities, 448 major accidents and 987 minor
incidents.
l 1996: Seven fatalities, 387 major mishaps and 963 minor
accidents.
For statistical purposes, major crashes involve more than $3,000
in damages and injuries. Minor crashes involve less than $3,000 in damages and
no injuries.
Statewide in 1999, there were 90 traffic fatalities and a
total of 10,587 crashes, figures which involve statistics from all four
counties. In 1996, there were 132 traffic fatalities and 13,285 traffic
accidents across the state.
Lt. Stan Koizumi, who heads the Kaua’i Police
traffic division, said Kaua’i traffic totals are likely to go up because of
more traffic on the island.
“There are more impatient drivers,” Koizumi
said. “A lot of traffic accidents are related to inattention, and some might be
attributed to cell phones.”
On the latter, Koizumi said he speaks from
experience. In separate incidents two years ago, two vehicles whose drivers
were using cell phones nearly plowed into his patrol car on Kapule Highway and
a road in Koloa, he said.
“Their attention was distracted, and they crossed
the center line and almost hit me,” he related. He cited the drivers for
inattention to driving.
Contributing to accidents statewide are fatigue,
alcohol, drug use, illness, speeding, failure to yield and distractions,
according to a University of Hawai’i survey done for the state Department of
Transportation.
Kaua’i motorists can help reduce accidents by driving
defensively, Koizumi said.
The number of accidents and fatalities on O’ahu
have fallen partly because of more police presence and stepped-up education
programs on traffic safety, according to a Honolulu Police Department
spokesman.
Included in the UH survey findings was that more frequent use
of seat belts may explain why traffic accidents and deaths are down in Hawai’i,
and Kaua’i is leading in that category. In 1999, 87.5 percent of the vehicle
occupants on Kaua’i wore seat belts, compared with an 80.3 percent average for
the rest of the state, according to the survey.
While the state seat belt
average is above the national average of 67 percent (recorded in1996), the
survey noted, the Hawai’i figure is still lower than the peak 85.3 percent
figure set statewide in 1991.
In 1999, Mau’i County had the lowest
percentage (75.5) of people buckled up.
Seat belt use statewide increased
sharply after 1986 following implementation of the state seat belt law. Prior
to that, seat belt use was only 33 percent, according to the UH
survey.
Staff writer Lester Chang can be reached at 245-3681 (ext.
225) and lchang@pulitzer.net
