EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- Beginning in early April, drivers on Edwards and across all Air Force Materiel Command bases will be cited by security forces for talking on cell phones while operating their vehicles, unless they are using a hands-free device.
Cell phone use while driving is now categorized as a moving violation in Air Force Instruction 31-218(I). And Edwards is following suit with an interim change to Edwards Air Force Base Instruction 31-28, effective April 4.
Proposed changes to this instruction include:
- Prohibiting drivers from using their cell phones unless their vehicle is safely parked or unless using a hands-free device.
- Prohibiting drivers from wearing any portable headphones, earphones, or other listening devices (except for hands-free cellular phones) while operating a vehicle.
The policy change was initiated after studies found the use of cell phones and other listening devices could impair driving. The devices could also prevent recognition of emergency signals, alarms, announcements, the approach of vehicles and human speech.
Using a cell phone while driving without a hands-free device will be considered a "primary offense," said Col. Drew Jeter, 95th Air Base Wing commander. "This means violators can be stopped solely for this offense."
Vehicle operators violating this new policy will receive a three-point assessment. Twelve points in one year results in the loss of on-base driving privileges for up to a year.
"In other words, if stopped multiple times for incorrect cell phone use, violators can lose their driving privileges on Edwards," said Tech. Sgt. John Storm, 95th Security Forces Squadron police services.
"This new policy is being put in place for our safety," Colonel Jeter said. "It has been documented that driving while operating a cell phone is distracting and can pose a danger similar to driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol."
The 95th Security Forces Squadron encourages drivers, whenever possible, to safely park vehicles prior to talking on cell phones even if they have hands-free devices.
Because this new policy applies to anyone who drives on AFMC installations, command officials and the American Federation of Government Employees Council 214 entered into a Memorandum of Agreement March 8. The agreement covers the majority of union-represented employees within the command.
According to Sandy Rexroade, Air Force Flight Test Center Labor Relations Officer, Edwards has met its local bargaining obligations with the firefighters and air traffic controllers unions. "Both unions are on board with AFMC's 8 March MOA," she said. "Our AFGE Local 1406 is also supportive of this effort to reduce potential driving hazards often attributed to cell phone use distraction."
The emphasis on driving safety and the use of cell phones reaches farther than Edwards and AFMC.
The Department of Defense recently published changes to the Code of Federal Regulations, or CFR, that prohibit using cell phones while driving on DoD installations unless they are hands-free devices. The changes are posted in the new DoD Joint Traffic Guidance.
For general information on states with cell phone driving restrictions and pending legislation, visit
www.ghsa.org/html/stateinfo/laws/cellphone_laws.html.
(Some information courtesy of AFMC News Service)