Focused Driving Is Life-Saving Driving | Distracted Driving Awareness Month

March 26, 2025

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In the first quarter of 2025, Guam saw at least five notable auto-collision incidents making headlines. This highlights a critical need for heightened awareness around distracted driving. As April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, StayWell is dedicated to spreading awareness about this vital issue. Even a moment of distraction can drastically change the course of your life or someone else's. Let’s explore how staying vigilant behind the wheel can make a lasting impact.

Major auto-collision reported via local news

There have been multiple reports by local news outlets, documenting a series of car crashes across various locations on the island. Here are some of the incidents:

The first incident occurred just six hours into 2025, as reported by the Pacific Daily News. It was an auto-pedestrian crash at the GRMC intersection, resulting in the pedestrian being hospitalized. See article here.

On January 10, 2025 (9 days later): A serious car crash took place in Barrigada, sending two people to the hospital. Read more here.

January 19, 2025 another 9 days later: Another tragic crash occurred at Harmon Loop, ultimately leading to the death of one individual. See article here.

February 4, 2025 (2 weeks later): A two-car collision happened in Chalan Pago, adding to the series of incidents. See article here.

By February 23, 2025, the fourth traffic related death had been reported, tragically claiming the driver's life. See article here. Only 3 days after February 26, 2025, another collision happened by Anderson South and Pagat Cave. See article here.

These are just the major incidents that were reported, and it’s possible there are others that went unpublished. What’s particularly alarming is how frequently these crashes occur, often just days apart. This highlights the critical importance of driving with complete focus and avoiding all distractions. Every moment of attention on the road can make a difference in preventing these tragedies.

Types of Distraction

Distracted driving includes talking or texting your phone, eating and drinking, talking to people in your vehicle, or fiddling with the stereo. Anything that diverts your focus from the road can be considered a distraction while driving.

Who is at Risk?

The repercussions of auto collisions can be devastating, often resulting in death, serious injuries, and long-term impacts on quality of life. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), individuals aged 15 to 20 are at the highest risk. Additionally, texting or emailing while driving has been observed to be more common among older students than younger ones. Regardless of age, it is essential for all of us to stay attentive and always prioritize safe driving.

Stay Focused Driving

Following traffic laws, like wearing seatbelts and refraining from using your phone while driving, is crucial to ensuring safety on the road. That message can wait—it’s never worth risking lives over a text. If it truly feels urgent, the safest action is to park your vehicle first before checking your phone. Remember, just a few seconds of distraction can have irreversible consequences, altering your life and the lives of others forever. Staying focused and responsible behind the wheel is key to protecting everyone’s journey. Let’s make every choice count.