Patrols step up efforts against on-base traffic violations, speeding

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Mike Young
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The 95th Security Forces Squadron recently stepped up efforts to make Edwards a safer place for motorists by intensifying speeding enforcement on base. 

Speeding at Edwards is caused largely because of its remote location, said Airman 1st Class Jason Slagle, 95th Security Forces Squadron police services staff. 

The roads leading to main base are very long and straight with almost nothing but desert on either side, Airman Slagle said. With this, people tend to speed more often.
Entrances to base aren't the only problem areas. 

Mercury Boulevard and the school zones are some of the biggest problem areas on base, Airman Slagle said. 

Our patrols are really focusing on the areas on base that historically have been problems areas for speeding, he said. 

"Speeding tends to be more of a problem in the morning, when everyone is in a rush to get to work, and the end of the duty day, when people are in a hurry to get home," Airman Slagle said. 

"As patrolmen, the major issue we are concerned with is safety," said Tech. Sgt. Robert Tucker, 95th SFS police services noncommissioned officer in charge. 

People need to adhere to the posted speed limits and drive safely according to weather conditions outside, Sergeant Tucker said. 

"If the conditions don't permit you to drive the speed limit safely, then slow down," he said. 

Citations have been issued for people driving too fast for the conditions, Airman Slagle said. 

People should also consider other consequences such as the cost of the citation, the raised insurance rates and the risk of restricted driving privileges, Airman Slagle said. 

"A person can lose their license for getting caught exceeding 25 mph over the posted speed limit," he said. 

Some of the best ways to keep from speeding are to leave home early or just get in the habit of looking down at the speedometer, Sergeant Tucker said. 

Patrols use two different tools to check traffic speeds: radar and LIDAR. LIDAR works the same as the radar, but sends a beam of light to the oncoming car to track the speed, Sergeant Tucker said. 

"I've seen it work up to 3,800 feet away," he said. "It is a very effective and accurate tool." 

There are many reasons not to speed on base including loss of money, driving privileges, harm to yourself and harm to others, Sergeant Tucker said. 

"It all comes down to one simple fact, the speed limit is the law," Airman Slagle said. "Driving is not a right. It's a privilege and it can be taken away."