Hawaii plans to deploy state sheriff’s deputies for expanded traffic enforcement statewide, state officials said, after the number of traffic deaths on the islands increased again last year.
State Transportation Director Ed Sniffen said the state’s Department of Transportation has committed $2 million in federal highway safety funding to pay overtime for deputies to work traffic enforcement. Sniffen said the state’s goal is to help Honolulu and police on neighbor islands as fatalities rise.
Sniffen said statewide traffic deaths surged to 129 last year, a 20% increase from the previous year and the highest number of roadway fatalities since 2007. He said the 129 deaths included 40 occupants of motor vehicles, 39 motorcycle or motor scooter riders, and 38 pedestrians.
Sniffen said 90% of last year’s fatalities were caused by what he called “user error,” including speeding, driving while intoxicated and distracted driving. He said enforcement is the main immediate step his department wants to take to reduce deaths, saying, “We see that the biggest thing that we can do immediately to stem these fatalities is increase enforcement,” and “I don’t see any other way other than enforcement at this time to get those numbers down fast.”
Traffic deaths increased by 10% in 2024, totaling 102 deaths that year, according to Sniffen’s remarks.
Mike Lambert, the director of the state Department of Law Enforcement, told lawmakers earlier this month that the sheriff’s deputies would be deployed under a “data-driven plan.” Lambert said the state will focus around schools during the day on speeding and distracted driving, and on weekends and evenings on speeding and DUI, referring to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. He also said distracted driving includes the use of cellphones while driving.
Lambert told the House Finance Committee that lawmakers should reach out with complaints of speeding, particularly near schools or state buildings, and that the department would work with the Department of Transportation to address those issues, according to his remarks.
The sheriff’s traffic enforcement effort marks an expansion from the department’s traditional role. Traditionally, Hawaii sheriff’s deputies conducted only limited traffic enforcement activity, usually in areas where they already operated at places such as state courthouses, the State Capitol, airports and harbors.
Sniffen said deputies began the more focused traffic enforcement work in late December. The department is starting with two teams of five officers each on Oʻahu.
Lambert said the Department of Law Enforcement would coordinate with county police departments so officers and deputies do not interfere with each other’s operations, and he said the state’s role is to supplement and support county policing. David Patterson, the department’s public information officer, said in a written statement that DLE spent last year establishing “strong supportive partnerships” with Honolulu police, and that it plans to work with neighbor island police chiefs this year “to see where we can supplement and support their priorities.”
Lambert said the sheriff’s division has limited staffing and that the state Judiciary has been pressing DLE to assign more deputies to its facilities. Lambert told lawmakers that 136 out of 490 sheriff division positions are vacant, and he said he wants to boost deputies’ pay to help with recruitment.
Lambert said the traffic enforcement program will operate using existing personnel. The DLE statement said deputies assigned to traffic teams will be paid overtime for the additional traffic enforcement duties, and that it would not remove personnel from existing roles.
Asked how long the expanded enforcement efforts would last, Sniffen said, “It’s going to last as long as we need it to.” He said the state would continue funding it if results are successful and the numbers drop quickly, and if the longer use of sheriffs in the system is working.
This story was originally published by Honolulu Civil Beat and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press.