Campaign to Reduce Risky Driving Behaviors

Three Hawai‘i Island schools will participate in the annual “Stop If You Love Me” campaign which will involve over 1,200 elementary, middle and high school students statewide. Students will be urging drivers and passengers to reduce risky behaviors while on the road.

Nearly 40 schools on four islands will participate in “Stop If You Love Me” Week from Monday through Friday, Feb. 12 to 16, 2018. The “Stop If You Love Me” campaign is sponsored by Hawai‘i State Department of Education’s (DOE) Driver Education Program, DTRIC Insurance and Par Hawai‘i.

During the safety campaign, the DOE Driver Education Program will work with student advocates to encourage drivers and passengers to eliminate dangerous driving behaviors such as cell phone use, texting, driving intoxicated, road rage and speeding, lack of seatbelt use, distractions by passengers and to also educate young people about the risks those behaviors present.

Through various activities at their schools, youth advocates will address the topic of dangerous driving habits with fellow students, reinforcing that such behavior risks the lives of those they love, including themselves. In addition to spreading messages on driver, passenger, pedestrian, and bicycle safety, the students will distribute more than 25,000 campaign items, host presentations and sign waving events and encourage parents to sign a pledge to eliminate dangerous behaviors.

“Two groups that influence a young person’s driving habits are their parents and their peers,” said Jan Meeker of the DOE’s Driver Education Program. “Each year, student advocates reach thousands of their family members and classmates with the safe driving message, and we hope to reinforce their call again this year.”

“The dangers of distracted and risky driving are well-known, and we need to encourage drivers and passengers to be mindful of that, especially with children riding with them in their vehicles or who walk and bike along our streets,” said DTRIC president and CEO Michele Saito. “DTRIC is honored to be a partner in this very important initiative. We can’t stress enough the message for all of us to Drive Aloha.”

“We have been a supporter of safe driving for teens for more than 25 years,” said president of Par Hawaii Jim Yates, which operates the larger of the state’s two refineries, logistics operations, and a statewide network of about 100 Tesoro and 76 branded retail gasoline stations. “Despite laws to keep drivers, passenger and pedestrians safe, we see the value of awareness campaigns like this. We’re glad to be continuing our partnership with the Department of Education and DTRIC to address dangers of distracted driving in Hawai‘i.”

Participating “STOP If You Love Me” Schools Statewide:

Hawaii Island:

• Hilo Union Elementary
• Keaukaha Elementary
• Hilo High School

O‘ahu:

• ‘Āhuimanu Elementary
• ‘Aiea Elementary
• ‘Ewa Beach Elementary
• Holomua Elementary
• Ka‘elepulu Elementary
• Ka‘ewai Elementary
• Kaimiloa Elementary
• Kainalu Elementary
• Keolu Elementary
• Keone‘ula Elementary
• Makakilo Elementary
• Mōkapu Elementary
• Mokulele Elementary
• Waimānalo Elementary
• Waipahu Elementary
• Dole Middle
• Kailua Middle
• Waianae Middle
• Waipahu Middle
• ‘Aiea High
• Kaimukī High
• Mililani High
• Moanalua High
• Waipahu High
• ‘Iolani Schools

Maui:

• Lihikai Elementary
• ‘Īao Intermediate
• Kalama Intermediate
• Lahaina Intermediate
• Maui Waena Intermediate
• St. Anthony Intermediate
• Baldwin High

Kaua‘i:

• Chiefess Kamakahelei Middle
• Kapa‘a Middle
• Kapa‘a High
• Waimea High