Police arrest 31 for suspected DUI

Police arrested 31 drivers for suspected drunken driving between March 11 and Sunday; nine were involved in traffic accidents and two were younger than 21.

Police have made 281 suspected DUI arrests this year compared with 274 during the same period in 2011, according to the Hawaii Police Department.

South Hilo officers arrested 14 motorists while Kona officers arrested 11. Puna officers arrested five drivers and South Kohala officers one.

There have been 293 major accidents this year compared with 274 during the same period last year.

To date, there have been seven traffic fatalities on Big Island public roadways, compared with six fatalities during the same period in 2011, according to police.