This holiday season, law enforcement agencies across Guam are stepping up efforts to keep impaired drivers off the road. A coordinated DUI enforcement campaign - Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over is now underway, with increased patrols and sobriety checkpoints through the New Year. 

Friday morning at Adelup, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero put pen to paper and declared 'Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over' campaign. This holiday season, federal, local, and territorial agencies are teaming up to send a clear message to drivers across Guam—drive sober or face the consequences.

Department of Public Works director Vince Arriola said, "We have over 115,000 registered vehicles that travel our roads every single day. Marine Drive is up to 40,000 vehicles a day- both northbound and southbound, so that's a heavy load especially on Marine Drive. So once again we ask the drivers -we can do everything we can - we paint a lot of our roads, striping , we're marking, we're doing street lights, we're bout to change out all our traffic signals to make them much safer, but drivers have to do your part."

In a release from DPW's Office of Highway Safety, it stated along with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and are partnering with Guam Police, Port Police, Airport Police, Parks and Recreation officers, and the Judiciary of Guam to crack down on impaired driving.

From December 10 through January 1, law enforcement officers will increase patrols and sobriety checkpoints in key locations islandwide. Drivers found under the influence of alcohol or drugs could face fines, license suspension, or arrest.

According to Guam Police Highway Patrol data, alcohol-related crashes continue to be a serious concern. From January through November of this year, Guam recorded 19 traffic fatalities—seven of them linked to alcohol or drugs.

Officials stress the goal of the campaign is not just enforcement, but prevention—saving lives on Guam’s roadways.

Governor Leon Guerrero believes this is the key, saying, "To preventing fatalities on our road. To prevent accidents that is the continuous community outreach, continuous education starting from our high schoolers from the schools, to all the community stakeholders, very appreciated,  and the non-profits that are out there helping our government to do community outreach and education and prevent."

Drivers are urged to plan ahead if they intend to drink by designating a sober driver, using public transportation, or choosing a ride-sharing service.

The reminder as the holiday celebrations continue—if you feel different, you drive different.