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DPS opposes drag racing bill
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Posted on May 03 2005
A legislative measure that proposes the temporary closure of a Koblerville highway to promote drag racing is being opposed by the Department of Public Safety.
DPS commissioner Santiago Tudela said that supporting the bill that seeks to authorize the closure of Route 33 in Koblerville would contradict his position to promote driver and occupant traffic safety.
Rep. Martin Ada, who chairs the House’s committees on Commerce and Tourism, had written to Tudela to obtain his comment on the legislative measure, saying that the CNMI does not have a secure drag racing track. According to Ada, drag racing is popular in the United States, although the congressman noted that there were at least two fatalities related to drag racing in the CNMI.
The bill proposes the eight-hour closure of Route 33 from the As Gonno Road and Eskabeche Avenue intersections every last Sunday of the month and on holidays for the exclusive use of the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs in consultation with legally established motocross or auto-racing associations.
“As recipient of federal grants from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, allowing such an activity on our highways will surely affect the level of funding that we are currently receiving, particular since these funds are used in promoting and educating driver and occupant traffic safety,” Tudela said.
The commissioner also explained that budgetary constraints have limited the department’s capability to augment its manpower shortage by hiring additional personnel.
