Students to voice messages against drunk, drugged driving

The Drunk and Drugged Driving prevention committee announced that its Road Side Plea program will kick off this Friday after rain spoiled its originally scheduled date last Friday.

“We decided not to continue with [Friday’s] event because of the weather. The roads will be slippery and the students will get wet,” said Sgt. Sylvan Rangamar, 2004 3D committee chair. “Our message is important, but more so is the livelihood of the students, faculty, parents, and all who will be participating.”

The activity is geared at promoting awareness on the 3D campaign against driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The committee, in a joint effort with public school students, will engage in a Road Side Plea that would feature students voicing their opinions on the effects of drunk and drugged driving as well as plea for motorists not to drive while intoxicated.

The hour-long activities will be held every Friday from 5-6pm beginning on Nov. 19 and concluding on Nov. 26.

On the kick off for the activity, students from San Vicente Elementary School would make their plea in front of the school; students from Dan Dan Elementary School by the Shell Gas Station on Dan Dan; Koblerville Elementary School and Saipan Southern High School students at the As Perdido traffic light area just north of the Saint Jude Church; and William S. Reyes and San Antonio elementary schools joining with Hopwood Junior High School students in front of Hopwood.

Also joining the scene are Marianas High School students, who will be stationed by the Minachom Atdao area, while Oleai Elementary School students at the Microl intersection along Beach Road San Jose. Students at Garapan Elementary School will also gather in front of their school by the four-way intersection by Winchell’s Doughnut House.

Friday, Nov. 26 has students from Kagman High, Cha Cha Oceanview Junior High, and the Elementary School stationed at the Santa Soledad area, students from Tanapag Elementary School in front of their campus, and Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School students in front of the fire station in San Roque.

The 3D campaign officially kicks off next month, however, organizers have already “got the ball rolling” with pre-kick off events.

Among the events are scheduled presentations at various schools, Life Saver Bagging scheduled for at Joeten Hafa Adai Center, Price Costco, and Dolphins Wholesale on Nov. 27, and Joeten Hafa Adai Center on Nov. 28, and Cops in the Shop beginning the weekend after Thanksgiving Day.

During the bagging events, officers and volunteers from the Designated Drivers Program would assist grocery outlets with bagging of purchased items, and in the process, stuff bags with educational materials regarding their campaign.

The Cops in the Shop program would feature a police officer in uniform serving non-alcoholic beverages in bars at least once a week.

“An officer in uniform goes into the bar from 7pm-8pm or during peak hours and serves non alcoholic drinks. The presence of an officer in a bar is a good deterrence in itself. It would calm people down, fights will most likely not take place, and people would think twice about getting into car after drinking,” she said.

Also, a mini fair would be held on Dec. 3 that would include performances from students who will perform skits dealing with drunk driving. The program includes a moment of silence to reflect on those who were affected by drunk driving and died, to be followed by celebration for those still living and abiding by the law.

For more information, contact the Department of Public Safety Traffic Section at 664-9084/5.