Statewide ‘Stop If You Love Me’ campaign this week

LIHUE — Kauai and Kapaa high schools are participating in the “Stop If You Love Me” campaign.

Hundreds of elementary, middle and high school students statewide will be urging drivers and passengers to reduce risky behaviors while on the road from Tuesday to Friday.

During the safety campaign, the state works with student advocates to encourage drivers and passengers to eliminate dangerous behaviors while in their vehicles, including cell-phone use, texting, driving intoxicated, road rage and speeding, lack of seatbelt use and distractions by passengers. The campaign also educates students about the risks of these behaviors.

Through activities at their schools, youth advocates will address the topic of dangerous driving habits with fellow students, reinforcing that such behavior puts the lives of others and themselves at risk.

As a way to spread messages on driver, passenger, pedestrian and bicycle safety, the students will distribute more than 20,000 campaign items, host presentations and sign-waving events, and encourage students to sign a pledge to eliminate dangerous behaviors.

“With the high number of traffic fatalities last year and so far this year, this annual campaign is an important and timely reminder to both students and parents on driving and riding safely,” said Jan Meeker of the state Department of Education.