Department of Transportation

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (HDOT), in coordination with the Honolulu Police Department and the Sheriffs Division of the Hawai‘i Department of Law Enforcement, reminds drivers that stopping, standing, or parking on Hawai‘i’s highways to view fireworks on New Year’s Eve is dangerous and illegal.

Police and deputy sheriffs will cite individuals for pulling over, sitting, or standing on a highway or freeway, and for impeding the flow of traffic for non-emergency situations. In recent years, dangerous situations were observed along roadways when individuals illegally used the freeway as a viewing area for fireworks. These individuals put themselves and other motorists at risk, cause significant traffic congestion and obstruct emergency response vehicles.

HDOT has posted messages on overhead electronic signs and portable message boards reminding drivers not to stop or park on the freeway unless it is an emergency. The signs, which are deployed at various locations on O‘ahu, read:

DON’T STOP OR PARK ON FWY

UNLESS IT’S AN EMERGENCY

VIOLATORS WILL BE CITED

This year to date there have been 101 fatalities on Hawai‘i roads. The HDOT is asking all roadway users to place a priority on safety and to obey all laws while driving this New Year’s Eve.

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