Stepped-up police presence on O'ahu roadways is casting a net that's catching not only speeders but drunken drivers.

Honolulu police arrested 43 people for operating a vehicle under the influence of an intoxicant, or OVII, from Saturday through Monday, most of them between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. Twenty-five of those arrested were between the ages of 19 and 29, and three were 57 or older.

The combination of HPD's special 24/7 task force, which was organized Nov. 10; night traffic enforcement units; and regular patrol officers has cast a wide net over dangerous drivers. Police need not rely only on drunken-driving checkpoints for stops on alcohol or drug-impaired motorists.

OVII arrests are costly to offenders. Bail for first-time offenders is $500. Six of the 43 who were arrested bailed out at $1,000 for being repeat offenders.

Connie Abram, executive director of Mothers Against Drunk Driving-Hawai'i, said speed and alcohol on local roadways is a lethal mix. In 2005, 71 of Hawai'i's 140 traffic fatalities were alcohol-related.

"That's 51 percent ... and it represents a shocking 11 percent increase from the prior year," Abram said of the 2005 statistic. "The national average was 39 percent, representing a 3 percent decrease."

Abram said there's a pressing need in Hawai'i for an "attitude and perspective change" to curb drunken driving. MADD is pressing forward with an ambitious national campaign to eliminate drunken driving in 10 years with intensive law enforcement and innovative methods, such as an ignition interlock that will require the worst offenders to take a breath test through a device in order to start their vehicles.

"The number of traffic fatalities is so tragic right now that everyone needs to embrace the problem by not driving after drinking and stopping others from doing the same," Abram said.

Reach Rod Ohira at rohira@honoluluadvertiser.com.