To explain the major issue of there being an inadequate number of emergency vehicles in my local community, I must first describe the demographics, geography, and culture of Guam. The Territory of Guam, also known as the Guam, USA, is an island in the Western Pacific Ocean and is an unincorporated territory of the United States. Guam's economy is mainly supported by tourism (90% of all visitors come from Japan) and a U.S. armed forces base. Guam is about 30 miles long and of variable width, about 8 miles maximum.
The roads of Guam are overcrowded and consequently in fairly poor condition, and there are always construction projects disrupting traffic in the busiest areas. To drive from the southern end to the northern end takes about two hours. It can take a lot longer if you adhere to the speed limits (45 mph is the maximum legal speed on Guam).
Guam Police patch
English: Guam Police Department Building 日本語...
The location of Guam in the western North Pacific ...Based on my own experience, the average driving speed on the island is over 55 mph in mostly 35 mph zones. In the max speed zones of 45 mph, it seems people drive 60+ mph.
Commonly trucks and cars (referred to as "boony" cars) on the island are dilapidated, rust ridden, dragging their rear on the road, have sparks flying, smoke blowing off, and their tires flattened by unsafe loads or sagging suspension. Another hazard on the roads of Guam is the high incidence of drug-impaired (alcohol and ice, mostly) drivers on Guam's roads. Drunks collide with pedestrians and cyclists nearly every month of the year.
Guam's weather, is a major factor contributing to the police department's issue with emergency vehicles. I have been told that Guam gets hit by an average of one typhoon every eight years. Guam is situated in the prime tropical cyclone formation area of...