KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --
You glance into the rear view mirror as you’re driving across the base, and those dreaded blue lights signal “Gotcha!” You pull over to a safe location and wonder what you did wrong.
Speeding is the first thing that comes to mind for most Keesler drivers – after all, the speed limit for most of the base is 25 mph. But it could be something else. Did you ease through that stop sign without making a complete stop? Did you forget to “buckle up?” Did you almost mow down a pedestrian in a crosswalk? Was your stereo too loud? Were you talking on your cell phone without a hands-free device? Were you sending a quick text while stopped at a traffic light?
Operators of motor vehicles and human-powered means of transportation are subject to Keesler’s rules of the road, a composite of installation, state and Air Force regulations. The 81st Mission Support Group commander has responsibility for traffic supervision on base, and enforcement is the job of the 81st Security Forces Squadron.
Traffic regulations cover a variety of categories.
Moving violations include driving under the influence or while impaired, careless or reckless driving, speeding, failure to obey traffic control devices or signs, failure to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks or intersections, failure to yield to emergency vehicles, failure to obey security forces personnel, failure to stay in your lane, improper overtaking and passing, following too closely, off-road driving, open alcoholic beverage containers in a vehicle or failure to signal lane change, turns or decreased speed.
Non-moving violations include lack of required documents, unattended running vehicles, abandoned vehicles, excessive noise and unattended children and animals.
Parking violations include parking in reserved official spaces, unauthorized use of handicapped parking spaces, parking on the grass or in unmarked areas, blocking fire hydrants and motorcycle parking on sidewalk areas or places where they create an unreasonable obstruction. This also includes improper parking of recreational or utility vehicles or trailers in dorm parking lots, industrial parking lots or base housing streets for longer than 24 hours. Vehicles advertised for sale or vehicle maintenance on Keesler roadways are also regulated.
Vehicle equipment includes safety equipment and personal protective equipment for motorcycle, moped and bicycle riders, vehicle restraint systems for adults and children and prohibition of radar detector use.
Distracted driving restrictions cover the use of cell phones or other portable electronic devices for talking, texting, web browsing, emailing, selecting music or any other device function unless a hands free device is used or the vehicle is safely parked.
Implied consent involves blood, breath or urine tests to determine use of intoxicants or vehicle removal, temporary removal and impoundment of vehicles under certain circumstances.
Suspension and revocation of driving privileges at Keesler are also explained.
Other information outlined includes ticket rebuttal procedures, accident reporting requirements and a summary of point assessments and fines for moving and non-moving violations.
Specific situations unique to Keesler are found in Keesler Instruction 31-218, Installation Traffic Code, dated Sept. 26, 2013. Other regulations are covered by Air Force Instruction 31-218, Motor Vehicle Traffic Supervision; Air Force Manual 31-116, Air Force Motor Vehicle Traffic Supervision, or AFI 91-207, USAF Traffic Safety Program. To review any of these documents, log on to http://www.e-Publishing.af.mil.
State laws are included in Title 63, Mississippi State Code, Motor Vehicles and Traffic Regulations. For the most recent version from 2014, log on to http://law.justia.com/codes/mississippi/2014/title-63.
For more information, call 81st SFS reports and analysis, 228-376-6604.