LIHUE — In an effort to prevent impaired driving and unsafe traffic conditions before they occur, the Kauai Police Department is ramping up enforcement efforts throughout the holiday season.
LIHUE — In an effort to prevent impaired driving and unsafe traffic conditions before they occur, the Kauai Police Department is ramping up enforcement efforts throughout the holiday season.
Captain Rod Green, with the department’s Patrol Services Bureau said in addition to traditional DUI checkpoints, police are implementing “roving roadblocks,” which means that at least until New Year’s day, extra patrol officers will be on the road looking for signs of distracted or impaired driving.
A county spokesperson said police will be checking for those driving under the influence of intoxicants, driving while distracted on a cell phone, not using proper seat belt restraints, and other traffic violations.
“Typically we have more impaired drivers during the holiday season,” Green said. “So basically we have officers going around the island, keeping an eye out.”
Last year between Dec. 20 and Jan. 2, police made 12 arrests for operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, two of which were related to traffic accidents.
Enforcement efforts began Monday afternoon and will continue through Jan 1.
Green cautioned everyone to drive defensively, drink responsibly and to use a designated driver if they do any drinking at all.
“And make sure your designated driver is actually sober — not just less drunk than you,” he said.
Great… could you add driving slow in the fast lane to the list of enforcement. Passing on the right is the norm on Kauai and I wonder how many accidents it causes