LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. –
Today's drivers deal with a multitude of distractions on their daily commutes and weekend trips. With more vehicles on the road today than ever, it's never been more important to follow the rules of the road - buckle up and hang up.
Simply put, seat belts save lives. Joint Base Langley Eustis' installation policy mandates that all motor vehicle passengers wear seatbelt restraints. Seatbelts are designed to secure the occupants of a vehicle against harmful movement, such as preventing passenger ejection, that may result from a collision or a sudden stop. Passengers found not wearing seatbelts while in a moving vehicle will be issued a citation by the 633rd Security Forces Squadron.
Drivers face a variety of distractions on the road -- cell phones shouldn't be one of them. According to the National Safety Council, vision is the most important sense for safe driving. Yet, drivers using cell phones tend to look at but not "see," or actively acknowledge objects. Estimates indicate that drivers using cell phones look, but fail to see up to 50 percent of the information in their driving environment.
Distracted drivers experience what researchers call "inattentional blindness," similar to that of tunnel vision. Drivers are looking through the windshield but do not process everything in the roadway environment. Without recognizing other vehicles, pedestrians, roadway boundaries or other environmental factors, these motorists do not have the information to effectively monitor their surroundings and respond to unexpected situations. As with seatbelt violations, 633rd SFS personnel will issue citations for personnel not in compliance.
Check out the following AFIs for guidance regarding cell phone and seatbelt usage:
AFI 31-218, Motor Vehicle Traffic Supervision states in 4-2 Installation Traffic Codes (2) Restraint systems. (a) Restraint systems (seat belts) will be worn by all operators and passengers of U.S. Government vehicles on or off the installation. (b) Restraint systems will be worn by all civilian personnel (family members, guests, and visitors) driving or riding in a POV on the installation. (c) Restraint systems will be worn by all military Service members and Reserve Component members on active Federal Service driving or riding in a POV whether on or off the installation. (d) Infant/child restraint devices (car seats) will be required in POVs for children 4 years old or under and not exceeding 45 pounds in weight. (e) Restraint systems are required only in vehicles manufactured after model year 1966.
AFI 91-207, The U.S. Air Force Traffic Safety Program, 3.4. Operator and Passenger Protection. 3.4.1. Seat Belts and Occupant Restraints. 3.4.1.1. All persons listed in paragraph 1.1.1. Operating or riding in motor vehicles, shall wear installed safety belts as prescribed by the manufacturer. Individuals shall not ride in seating positions where safety belts have not been installed, have been removed or have been rendered inoperative.
AFI 31-218, Motor Vehicle Traffic Supervision states in 4-2 Installation Traffic Codes (3) Driver distractions. Vehicle operators on a DOD installation and operators of Government owned vehicles will not use cell phones unless the vehicle is safely parked or unless they are using a hands-free device. The wearing of any other portable headphones, earphones, or other listening devices (except for hands-free cellular phones) while operating a motor vehicle is prohibited. Use of those devices impairs driving and masks or prevents recognition of emergency signals, alarms, announcements, the approach of vehicles, and human speech. The DOD component safety guidance should note the potential for driver distractions such as eating and drinking, operating radios, CD players, global positioning equipment, and so on. Whenever possible this should only be done when the vehicle is safely parked.
AFI 91-207, The US Air Force Traffic Safety Program, 3.2. Use of Headphones, Earphones, and Cellular Telephones. 3.2.1. Use of these devices hinders or prevents recognition of emergency signals, alarms, announcements, approach of vehicles, human speech, and the ability to determine the direction from which sounds are coming. 3.2.2. Vehicle operators on an AF installation and operators of government owned, leased, or rented vehicles, on or off an AF installation, shall not use cell phones while the vehicle is in operation, except when using a hands-free device or hands-free operating mode. When possible, vehicle operators should pull over and place the vehicle in park before using any cell phone. Land Mobile Radios (LMR) are primarily listening devices and are not restricted. Cell phones and other devices, used only in push-to-talk (walkie-talkie, direct connection) mode are considered LMR if required and issued for the performance of official duties.