By Bryan Manabat
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
THE Department of Public Safety has recorded 95 traffic crashes in the first five weeks of 2026, according to DPS Highway Patrol Section investigator Sgt. Adrian Mendiola.
Speaking at a press conference on Feb. 12, Mendiola said the total includes incidents reported in January and early February, ranging from minor fender benders to serious collisions.
“So far — up to yesterday — we’re at 95 reported crashes for 2026,” he said. “Ninety-five. Auto-to-auto crashes.”
Last year, DPS averaged about 70 crashes per month, he added.
“That’s what I pulled from the count — a total of about 70 a month,” he said. “Auto-to-auto, ranging from fender benders to serious collisions. That’s what we collected last year on average.”
Power outage
Saipan experienced an islandwide power outage on Feb. 6. According to Mendiola, the blackout did not result in a spike in collisions.
“It was pretty cooperative during the power outage at the intersections,” he said. “We didn’t receive any major calls. We have a lot of courteous drivers out there. Thank you to the people for doing your part as responsible drivers.”
He said DPS units routinely monitor major intersections during outages.
“As a practice, whenever we have power outages like that, our units are out there monitoring intersections that may need a little more assistance,” he said. “We don’t just let it happen. We’re out there taking care of it.”
Right of way
Mendiola reminded motorists that when traffic lights lose power, drivers must treat intersections as “uncontrolled.”
“You identify which is the through traffic and which is the entering traffic,” he said. “Through traffic has the right of way. If you’re entering, you must yield to vehicles with the right of way.”
Minor crashes
DPS Commissioner Anthony Macaranas said some reported incidents involve minimal damage.
“We’ve had some crashes where it’s just a chip under the bumper and they want a police report,” he said.
Under Section 8101, officers are not required to file a report if damage is less than $250. However, Macaranas said some motorists still request documentation for insurance purposes.
“But again, people come by and tell us they need it for insurance,” he said.
Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
