81st SFS issues warning on distracted driving

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Heather Heiney
  • 81st Training Wing Public Affairs
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  According to the National Safety Commission, 28 percent or 1.6 million traffic accidents each year involve cell phone use. While Keesler only had one major distracted driving incident in 2012, that is still one accident that could have easily been prevented by keeping cell phones put away while driving.

And it's not just a suggestion. Using cell phones without a hands-free device while driving has been prohibited on all Department of Defense installations since April 2005.

It doesn't matter if you're texting, talking, surfing the web or playing with the latest app -- it's prohibited. The first offense results in a seven-day suspension of base driving privileges, the second offense results in a 30-day suspension and the third offense results in a one-year revocation.

Capt. Christopher Porta, 81st Security Forces Squadron, said, "This means that if the person has a recurring need to come onto the installation after the infraction and within the suspension period, they will either have to ride as a passenger in a vehicle or simply walk to their destination."

In 2012, there were 25 cell phone violation tickets issued by the 81st SFS, down from 73 in 2011.

"The 81st SFS is enforcing no texting on base and will be citing personnel for any infractions," Porta said. "Aside from the normal 81st SFS patrols that are watching for cell phone violations, we have already started utilizing unmarked vehicles/law enforcement officers to regulate cell phone infractions."

Porta also said there is a common misconception among many within the base populace that using the speaker phone function on their cell phone constitutes a hands-free device. This is not true and has been revalidated within Keesler's supplement to Air Force Instruction 31-218 as being illegal.

There are three main types of distraction -- manual, visual and cognitive -- meaning the driver takes his or her hands off the wheel, eyes off the road or mind off the task of driving. That's why text messaging is a dangerous trifecta.

Bryan Bailey, 81st Training Wing Safety Office, said, "Although driving may seem like a simple task, there are so many hazards out there on the roads that we have no control of including weather, other drivers and road conditions, so it makes no sense to add
another by driving distracted.

"The ultimate goal of being a safe driver is to become an old driver! Survival and mishap prevention in the traffic environment require good judgment and sound decision-making skills. Driving distracted impedes the process."

For more information, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website www.distraction.gov.