The three-week enforcement targeted at drunk drivers concluded over the long weekend and was deemed a productive and successful operation. The enforcement is part of the National Campaign called “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” that happened from August 19 and ran through September 5, 2012.

Leading the enforcement was Commander of the Traffic Division Captain Ta’aloloioufaiva John Cendrowski with the assistance of Lieutenant Mary Leiato.

“A total of 30 were arrested for driving under the influence, including two caught driving while their drivers licenses were suspended for previous DUIs. Close to 3,000 traffic citations were issued to those who violated traffic laws like non-possession of drivers license, running stop signs, speed violators, and, those who had additional lights on vehicles and vehicles with high density lights,” he said.

“Additionally more than 20 were arrested for driving while they don’t have a driver’s licenses.”

Cpt. Cendrowski said this is alarming as there were several teenagers who were caught driving although they did not have a driver’s license, and many had been authorized to drive by their parents.

“Despite the fact that your child may know how to operate a vehicle, he or she must obtain a driver’s license to operate a vehicle in the territory.” A majority of the teenagers the police officers cited, not only were speeding but they ran stops signs.

“These are areas where they can learn to follow the rules of traffic if they attend courses held at the Office of Motor Vehicles for those who have yet to obtain a driver’s license.”

He reiterated to parents: “Please do not allow your child to operate a vehicle without a driver’s license.”

Cpt. Cendrowski said aside from the homicide by vehicle in Nu’uuli and one where a high school student was seriously injured the enforcement was a successful one.

He noted that during the last “drive sober or get pulled over” enforcement held during a holiday period, they saw 50 arrested for DUI — and this recent enforcement decreased in numbers, which is a great sign.

The Commander of the Traffic Division added that at the beginning of the enforcement, the numbers increased over the days. However there was a change in the attitude of the public, people started taking the advice from police and taking taxis home and getting designated drivers, which was something quite new.

“This is a good sign that goes to show the public is heeding the repeated advice to not operate a vehicle when under the influence of alcohol, those two just don’t mix.”

He said another positive change is the public is wearing seat belts when in a moving vehicle.

AIGA BUS ACCIDENTS

Cpt. Cendrowski said the incident of a high school girl who fell out of an aiga bus could have been prevented.

According to police, the girl’s sweater fell out of the aiga bus and when the girl reached for it she fell out of the bus and hit her head on the concrete sidewalk. The girl suffered a concussion and was hospitalized for a few days.

The Captain said the passenger must let the bus driver know what is going on so he can react and you cannot try to reach out or try to get off the bus until the bus comes to a complete stop. “Not a rolling stop, a complete stop,” he said.

He also reminded bus drivers that “any passenger on your bus is your responsibility.”

With regards to the homicide by vehicle, Cpt. Cendrowski said the bus driver claims he was tired. “Again if you are tired pull over take a nap, or have a second driver in case you get tired while driving.”

This “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign was launched nationally in 1999 and works to combat drunk driving during some of the busiest times of the year.