Hawaii’s Deadliest Roads and Fatal Accident Statistics

10 Deadliest Road Stretches in Hawaii

Drunk Driving Involved in 30% of Fatal Accidents

From 2017 to 2019, out of 308 crashes resulting in fatalities in Hawaii, 92 were related to drunk driving. A blood alcohol concentration of (BAC) of 0.8% makes you legally drunk, but you can already be visibly impaired even if it’s only at 0.2%. That means having two beers can put you and your passengers in danger, no matter how sober you feel. Studies have shown that drivers with higher BACs have slower reaction times, making it more challenging to operate a vehicle.

The consequences of drunk driving are numerous. It can lead to license suspension, restricted driving privileges and possible jail time. It also results in less affordable car insurance rates in Hawaii. Purchasing an SR-22 insurance policy in Hawaii is significantly more costly than a standard coverage.

Speeding Is a Factor in 45% of Fatal Crashes

MoneyGeek’s analysis showed speeding contributed to 138 fatal accidents in Hawaii. That translates to roughly 45% of all crashes resulting in deaths, making it the factor most commonly associated with deadly accidents. It’s clear that driving too fast puts you, your passengers and the people around you in peril.

It’s easier to lose control of your car when you’re speeding. It also makes the protective equipment in your vehicle less effective, meaning you’re likely to suffer more severe injuries or worse — a fatality — if you crash.

Distracted Driving Contributed to 25% of Fatal Accidents

Seventy-seven accidents — 25% of all fatal crashes in Hawaii from 2017 to 2019 — involved distracted driving. While the state has made efforts to limit crashes related to distracted driving — including enacting a distracted driving ban in 2013 — distracted driving rates and fatalities remain high in the state. A MoneyGeek study found that Hawaii was the fourth-worst state for distracted driving in the U.S.

November Had More Fatal Accidents Than Any Other Month

Based on MoneyGeek’s analysis, most fatal accidents in Hawaii between 2017 and 2019 happened in November. Within three years, 32 crashes resulting in deaths were recorded — that’s 10.4% of all fatal accidents. May and December follow close behind, with 9.7% of deadly crashes in the state each.

Average Fatal Accidents by Month

Driving Safely Protects You, Others and Your Wallet

Safe driving doesn’t just benefit you — it makes Hawaii roadways less dangerous. It may also save you money in the long term.

However, sometimes, accidents do happen. If you find yourself in this situation, it’s crucial to be insured. Carrying an affordable full coverage auto insurance policy can protect you against costs from medical treatments and car repairs after a crash.

The average cost of full coverage car insurance in Hawaii is $1,066 per year. Car insurance coverage in Honolulu costs this much annually, on average. However, your actual annual premium may vary if you live in other parts of the state.

Remember that the premium mentioned is only the average. Car insurance companies use various factors when setting rates. These elements make your driver profile unique, such as your age and driving history. Comparing quotes from multiple car insurance companies can help you find the cheapest car insurance in Hawaii.

Fatal Accidents and Most Dangerous Roads: County Breakdown

Out of 308 deadly incidents recorded in Hawaii between 2017 and 2019, Honolulu contributed the most at 155. Most of these fatal accidents happened along Farrington Highway and were related to speeding (79) and distracted driving (43).

Fatal Accidents and Contributing Factors By County

Methodology

To conduct this analysis, MoneyGeek analyzed data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration FARS (fatal accident reporting system) database using fatality data from 2017, 2018 and 2019. 2019 is the latest data available in the system.