Law Enforcement Enhanced for National Distracted Driving Awareness Month
Hagåtña, Guam – In support of National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the Leon Guerrero-Tenorio Administration is leading a campaign to increase public safety by enhancing local law enforcement efforts to remove distracted drivers from Guam’s roads. Over the past decade, distracted driving has become one of the leading causes of auto collisions on national highways. The Department of Public Works (DPW) Office of Highway Safety, Guam Police Department (GPD) Highway Patrol Division, Guam International Airport Authority – Airport Police, Port Authority of Guam – Port Police, Judiciary of Guam, and the Office of the Attorney General, are partnering with the Insurance Association of Guam’s “Heads Up Guam” campaign to conduct “U Drive. U Text. U Pay.” high-visibility education and law enforcement.
“As we cautiously return to normalcy, we invite our community to remind family and friends to avoid distractions while driving. It takes just one second for a crash to change lives,” said Governor Lou Leon Guerrero. “Beginning April 9, our people will see increased law enforcement efforts. Officers will stop and ticket anyone caught looking at their phone while driving. We will continue promoting highway safety and encouraging everyone to keep our heads up and our eyes on the road, especially as we work towards recovery.”
“It is alarming to see people driving on the road and looking at their phones,” said DPW Director Vincent Arriola. “People know texting and driving is dangerous and illegal, but they selfishly do it anyway, putting the lives of others at risk. Putting away your phone should be just as automatic as putting on your seat belt.”
“A distracted driver is not a safe driver,” said GPD Chief Stephen Ignacio. “If your attention is anywhere other than on the road, you’re a dangerous driver. You want other drivers to pay attention to the road, you should pay attention too.”
Insurance Association of Guam HeadsUpGuam! Campaign Representative Maureen Tellei Sablan stated, “There is more to texting than meets the eye. There are simple actions to take that will eventually lead to a community with safe drivers. Make it a rule that you will never use your phone while driving. Turn on the Apple “do not disturb while driving” or the Samsung “in-traffic reply” so you can drive and you know your family, friends and team knows that you are unable to respond immediately because you are driving. HeadsUpGuam and put the phone down, distractions won’t get you there.”
For more information, contact the DPW Office of Highway Safety at 671-646-3229.
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