Govt promotes taxis in anti-drunk driving campaign

With taxi operators expressing dismay over the reduction of taxi fares beginning this month, the CNMI government has launched an anti-drunk driving campaign for the holidays, which would actively promote the use of taxicabs among liquor establishments and intoxicated persons.

Assistant attorney general Eric O’Malley disclosed that officers from the Attorney General’s Investigative Unit, the Department of Public Safety and the Bureau of Taxicabs would go around hotels and bars this December and urge those establishments to save the government’s public service announcements promoting compliant taxicabs.

The emergency regulations that reduced taxi fare rates took effect on Dec. 1. O’Malley recognized, though, that taxicabs might take time to recalibrate their taximeters. He expects full implementation of the new regulations next month.

As an incentive, taxicabs that would have recalibrated meters as soon as possible would be included in the government’s advertisements in local newspapers, which would be run for at least three consecutive Fridays. The ads will include the name of the taxicabs and their respective contact numbers.

O’Malley said officers would urge hotels and bars to keep a copy of the announcements so that customers who are intoxicated could take taxicabs with reduced fares in going home or elsewhere.

The government has adopted this campaign line for the holidays in connection with the anti-drunk driving campaign: “Drinking and driving is stupid. Don’t be stupid—designate a driver or take a taxi.”

The government noted that drunk driving has historically been high every December.

“As the holiday season is upon us, we urge you to keep this page [ad] and call one of the listed taxis for a ride—especially if you’ve been drinking,” the AGO said in a media release.

A draft copy of the incoming ad shows the words, “Notice: Reduced Taxi Rates” in bold letters.

Under the emergency regulations, flag-down rate remains at $2.50 for the first half-mile traveled by taxicabs. The new regulations, however, set the fare rate at 25 cents per succeeding half mile traveled, approximately 84-percent less than the previous rate of 75 cents per succeeding quarter mile.

O’Malley earlier said the regulations would also help combat illegal taxi operations and encourage tourists and locals to move around the islands.