3D campaign helps curb traffic-related fatalities

Traffic-related fatalities on Saipan have dropped in the last three years as a result of stepped up campaign on road safety, the Department of Public Safety disclosed in a report yesterday.

Road accidents, according to statistics, resulted to eight fatalities in 1998, three cases of which involved alcohol.

The succeeding year, authorities recorded two traffic-related fatalities but noted 291 arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol.

As of September 2000, two adults and one child already died due to traffic mishaps. During the first three quarters, 297 have also been taken in for DUI.

In continued efforts to nurture safety-conscious and law-abiding motorists in the community, DPS this 3D month has organized a series of projects aimed at keeping drunk and drugged drivers off CNMI roads.

This Friday, Dec. 15, DPS will kick off the “Lights on for Life” Day where motorists across the islands and the whole country are urged to pitch in their support to the national 3D cause by driving in daylight with headlights on in memory of the victims who have died and survived traffic accidents.

The activity is part of the National Holiday Lifesavers weekend to be held from Dec. 15 through 17.

DPS will also be conducting sobriety checkpoints on Friday and Sunday as well as a Highway Interdiction and Selective Traffic law enforcement throughout the month of December.

The sobriety checkpoints has been scheduled to take place on Dec. 24, 29, and 31 while seatbelt checkpoints will be slated on Dec. 19, 21, 26, and 28.

DPS has unveiled new billboards bearing the logo for the 2000 National Drunk and Drugged Driving campaign. The local 3D committee has launched its campaign advertisement to read “You drink and drive, you lose.”

The public safety is also once again gathering volunteers to participate in its annual Designated Driver program which started last Friday.

The volunteers will be out every weekend and during the holidays to provide driving services for the community’s enjoyment, convenience, and safety.

“For this program, we are asking the community’s assistance in preventing intoxicated individuals from getting behind the wheel and driving. We encourage that they give us a call to drive the person home. By doing so, you will be saving someone’s life,” said 3D chair, Police Officer 1 Joey Cruz.