CNMI seeing a steady decline in traffic fatalities

The Commonwealth has been seeing a steady decline in the number of traffic fatalities compared to previous years, according to the Department of Public Safety. In fact, the CNMI has been keeping its fatality rate significantly low compared to other states in the U.S., it said.

DPS shared its statistics on crashes and driving while under the influence during yesterday’s signing of a proclamation that designates December as CNMI Drunk and Drugged Driving (3Ds) Prevention Month.

For this year, DPS reported two traffic fatalities, none of which was alcohol-related.

In 2013, there were two traffic fatalities, one of which was alcohol-related. In 2012, there were four traffic fatalities and three were alcohol- related. In 2011, one alcohol-related traffic fatality was recorded. In 2010, four traffic fatalities were recorded and three were alcohol- related.

Gov. Eloy S. Inos and Lt. Gov. Jude Hofschneider urged the Commonwealth community to join the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign from Nov. 25, 2014 to Jan. 1, 2015.

“We urge everyone to remember the hazards of impaired driving and to become involved in fighting this dangerous problem,” Hofschneider said.

Inos urged the community to take advantage of the sober program.

“Our goal here is nothing more than to prevent alcohol-related crashes,” Inos said.

The governor challenged all officers and the community to maintain this year’s record of zero alcohol-related traffic fatality to set the trend.

Police officer Adrian Mendiola said they have scheduled a series of public outreach events to include radio talk shows and school presentations to spread the message against drunk and drugged driving.

Mendiola said they will also have multiple checkpoints throughout the weekends in different locations to deter drunk and drugged drivers.

“We are upholding a zero tolerance enforcement tactic to violators that are caught under the influence,” he said.

In addition, Mendiola said they are running the traditional Designated Driver Program as part of their community outreach. He said this program is one of the highlights of the 3D campaign.

The DD Program is a volunteered-based program that is supplemented by donations from various private agencies.

“This shows our partnership with our community in this fight against drunk and drugged driving. The program provides a free safe ride home for people that are under the influence,” he said.

DPS, joined by other agencies, will also conduct caroling in the community to spread the holiday spirit with Santa visits accompanied by a choir.

For the community to stay safe this holiday season, DPS Commissioner James C. Deleon Guerrero said people should be mindful that there is increased law enforcement presence throughout the Commonwealth public highways and to take advantage of the DPS Designated Driver Program.

“There is really nothing to be ashamed of in terms of requesting that they be taken home. It is better to be safe than sorry in the end,” Deleon Guerrero said.

The commissioner said the CNMI has done great this year in terms of making sure that there are no alcohol-related fatalities.

“And we want to keep it at zero,” he said.

In 2013, there were a total of 1,899 traffic crashes in the Commonwealth, 28 of which involved alcohol.

In 2012, there were 1,672 traffic crashes, 32 of which involved alcohol. In 2011, there were 1,929 traffic crashes, 543 of which were alcohol-related. In 2010, there were 2,588 traffic crashes, 63 of which were alcohol- related.

Last year, in the entire United States (all 50 states), the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, 10,322 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes. These alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities accounted for 31 percent of the total motor vehicle traffic fatalities in the U.S.

Traffic fatalities in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes reportedly increased by 4.6 percent from 9,865 in 2011 to 10,322 in 2012.

An average of 1 alcohol-impaired driving fatality occurred every 51 minutes in the U.S. in 2012.