Earlier this month, over 1,200 elementary, middle and high school students statewide asked drivers and passengers to “Stop If You Love Me” as part of the traffic safety campaign of the same name to reduce risky driving behaviors.

Forty schools on four islands participated in “Stop If You Love Me” Week, which ran from February 12-16. The campaign was sponsored by Hawaii State Department of Education’s (DOE) Driver Education Program, DTRIC Insurance, and Par Hawaii.

“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.”

Through various activities at the participating schools, youth advocates addressed 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, students handed out more than 25,000 campaign items, hosted presentations and sign waving events, and encouraged parents to sign a pledge to eliminate dangerous behaviors.

MAHALO to all the students and teachers who participated in the statewide traffic safety campaign to keep their family and friends safe!