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.

Year
Fatalities
Tot
Alc-Rel
%
0.08+
%
1982
163
103
63
94
58
1983
141
95
67
88
62
1984
138
89
65
80
58
1985
126
80
63
69
55
1986
120
70
58
58
49
1987
139
86
62
77
55
1988
148
87
59
78
53
1989
149
91
61
76
51
1990
177
92
52
73
41
1991
135
77
57
69
51
1992
129
68
53
62
48
1993
134
76
57
60
45
1994
122
60
49
51
42
1995
130
65
50
47
36
1996
148
68
46
52
35
1997
131
59
45
51
39
1998
120
59
49
47
39
1999
98
44
45
34
35
2000
132
55
42
44
33
2001
140
59
42
50
36
2002
119
47
39
39
33
2003
135
72
53
54
40
2004
142
65
46
52
37
2005
140
71
51
58
42
2006
160
77
48
63
40
2007
138
66
47
45
32
2008
107
50
46
42
39

 

The table above shows the total number of traffic fatalities (Tot) for the Hawaii, alcohol related fatalities (Alc-Rel) and fatalities in crashes where the highest BAC in the crash was 0.08 or above (0.08+).

It is important to note that the Hawaii drunk driving statistics, as shown above, include data from individuals who were in an alcohol-related crash, but not driving a motor vehicle at the time. The U.S. Department of Transportation defines alcohol-related deaths as "fatalities that occur in crashes where at least one driver or non-occupant (pedestrian or bicyclist) involved in the crash has a positive Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) value."

Criminal status of DUI laws in Hawaii

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

Sources for Hawaii drunk driving information and statistics

US Dept. of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 12/02
(2) National Conference of State Legislatures, 2004

National drunk driving statistics in the US...

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