Honolulu police began setting up holiday sobriety checkpoints yesterday and will continue to operate them through Jan. 2.

The checkpoints or "roadblocks" will be set up at unspecified times and locations throughout the island to deter motorists from driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

As of Nov. 25, 42 people had been killed on O'ahu this year in traffic collisions. Alcohol or speeding was deemed to be a factor in at least seven of those cases.

There were 61 traffic fatalities during the same period in 2007.

In addition to the holiday sobriety checkpoints, HPD and the state Department of Transportation will continue to participate in a federal program under which at least one checkpoint will be set up every week from now through Sept. 30.