LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Virginia –
Defense Department installations have begun implementing new cell phone restrictions for drivers on military bases.
Langley officials designated Monday to implement the new rule.
The new regulation, published in the Federal Register in April 2005, states that anyone driving a motor vehicle on a DoD installation cannot use a cell phone unless the vehicle is safely parked or the driver is using a hands-free device.
“Wing commanders have always had ‘broad authority to regulate the movement of traffic and personnel on their installations,’ and have been able to assimilate the respective state, or host nation traffic rules, that have such a restriction,” said Col. Linda Fronczak, Air Combat Command Deputy Director of Installations for Security Forces. “Installations should start drafting the above language into their respective base traffic plans.”
She said the Air Force will add this regulation to the next revision of Air Force Instructions.
As the installations implement the restrictions, they have a responsibility to notify the public by putting up signs or putting notices in base newspapers. Many installations are allowing a grace period in which motorists in violation of the rule will be warned and not ticketed.
According to 1st Security Forces Squadron officials, they will push for a 30-day grace period on Langley.
“This will be an ongoing process,” Tech. Sgt. Jack Davis, NCOIC of police services. “As deployed members come back from overseas locations, we will continue to educate them about safe operations of motor vehicles.”