Bars are closed on Oahu and there’s less traffic on the roads due to COVID-19 concerns. Even so, by late November, Oahu’s total of 48 traffic-related fatalities had surpassed the total during the same time period in 2019 by two.

Advocating for driving responsibly during the holiday season, MADD’s “Tie One on for Safety” campaign is now underway. MADD asks drivers to tie red ribbons to vehicles to serve as a reminder to designate a nondrinking driver (see www.madd.org/hawaii). Another welcome action: Honolulu police are setting up impaired driver checkpoints at unannounced times and locations through Dec. 31.