Hawaii’s Deadliest Roads and Fatal Accident Statistics

MoneyGeek analyzed 308 deadly crashes on 166 roads in Hawaii’s 9,799 miles of road between 2017 and 2019. We also looked at factors that contributed to fatal accidents in the state. These include driver behaviors such as speeding, drunk driving and distracted driving, as well as the most common times of the year these accidents occurred. MoneyGeek also identified the deadliest road in each county in the state.

• Farrington Highway from Lualualei Naval Rd. to Maliona St. is the deadliest stretch of road in Hawaii. Between 2017–2019, seven fatal accidents occurred here.
• Speeding contributed to 45% of accidents, the highest percentage of any factor measured. Drunk driving was the second-most common factor, involved in 30% of deadly crashes.
• Distracted driving was involved in 77 fatal crashes from 2017–2019. A MoneyGeek study ranked Hawaii as the fourth-worst state for distracted driving in the U.S.
• Thirty-two deadly accidents occurred in November, the most of any month. May (30) and December (30) had the next two highest numbers of accidents, respectively.
• Honolulu had more fatal accidents than any other county. Most of these occurred on Farrington Highway.

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 just one beer 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.