95th SFS silences driver cell phones

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Mike Young
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The 95th Security Forces Squadron is becoming more actively involved in enforcing the cellular hands-free policy on base by increasing vigilance and writing more citations.

Edwards Air Force Instruction 31-208 prohibits both military and civilian personnel from cell phone use while driving on the installation without the use of a hands-free device such as a headset.

"We are really focusing on this type of offense right now, said Maj. Steven Heffington, 95th SFS commander. "The fact is, anytime you pick up your cell phone and make a call while driving, you are putting yourself and others at risk,"

Virginia Tech's. Transportation Institute and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration conducted the 100-car Naturalistic Driving Study in April 2006. In the study, researchers tracked 100 cars and their drivers for a year. The study showed that talking on cell phones while driving caused more crashes, near crashes and other incidents than other distractions.

According to a University of Utah study, researchers determined that legally drunk motorists were able to drive better than sober drivers using cell phones. They also found that cell phone using motorists were slower to react and more prone to accidents.

To avoid this potentially fatal problem, motorists should either pull safely to the side of the road or make their phone call once they reach their destination, said Staff Sgt. Melanie Slagle, 95th SFS police services staff. Drivers are also allowed to use hands-free devices such as earpieces or speaker phones.

Using a cell-phone while driving without a hands-free device is considered a primary offense, which means drivers can be stopped solely for violating the policy. Vehicle operators violating this new policy will receive a three-point assessment. Base personnel, who acquire 12 points in one year, will lose driving privileges on Edwards for up to a year.

Cell phones aren't the only distraction, Major Heffington said. Anything that takes the driver's attention from the road such as personal music devices are a problem and could result in an inattentive driving citation.

"Safety is our biggest mission," Sergeant Slagle said. "By eliminating as many distractions as possible, we can make the base safer for Edwards personnel, residents, and visitors."