Hawaii traffic deaths reach 106, topping last year’s total
With the spate of recent fatal crashes on Hawaii roads, including a head-on collision on Daniel K. Inouye Highway Thursday, traffic deaths in the state have now surpassed the total for 2024, state transportation official said. As of today, and with over two months left in the year, Hawaii has recorded 106 traffic-related deaths, four more than 102 in all of 2024, according to the Hawaii Department of Transportation. State officials are urging all road users to obey traffic laws such as speed limits, ride and drive sober, reduce distractions and wear their seat belts and helmets. “We are committed to reaching our goal of zero traffic deaths – with infrastructure it will take decades of rebuilding systems to separate users and manage speeds to make it harder to drive, bike, or walk dangerously,” said DOT Director Ed Sniffen in a news release. “However, as community members, we can solve this today. If everyone follows the law and makes safety a priority, 93% of the people who typically die in crashes caused by drunk and drugged driving, speeding and distraction all make it home.” On Thursday, Hawaii island police said, a Kailua-Kona woman was killed and six others were seriously injured after a suspected drunk driver of a Toyota pickup truck crashed head-on into another vehicle on Daniel K. Inouye Highway. The fatalities so far this year include 33 motorcyclists and scooters, 32 pedestrians, 30 motor vehicle occupants, six bicyclists and five individuals on other conveyances such as skateboards, foot scooters and utility task vehicles. Oahu had the greatest share of traffic fatalities, with 69 of the 106, or 65% of the total. DOT officials said it has implemented hundreds of safety countermeasures on Hawaii roadways, such as the installation of raised crosswalks, and high-reflectivity striping on the H-3 freeway to improve safety. To raise awareness, DOT plans to display the number of days since the last fatal crash on freeway message boards.
