August 31, 2016 –
JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va.--When a driver’s hands, eyes or mind are distracted while operating a motor vehicle, the risk of an accident increases. The National Highway Safety Administration revealed in a most recent study that there is an estimate 1,600,000 accidents per year while texting and driving.
Within the last year traffic accidents have increased at Joint base Langley-Eustis as a result of drivers using their cell phones without a hands-free device, according to Staff Sgt. Geoffrey Forney, 633rd Air Base Wing Security Forces, vehicle fleet manger.
Forney and his team have been strategically enforcing an on-base hands-free policy, per Air Force Instruction 91-207, The U.S. Air Force Traffic Safety Program.
Forney stated that talking or sending text messages on a cell phone while driving is a violation of the AFI and base laws.
“The best way to avoid being issued a traffic citation is the use of Bluetooth devices or speakerphone,” said Forney.
Initially drivers will be issued a warning. However, for each violation thereafter, penalties will be assessed.
“For the first violation, drivers will be given a three-day driving suspension and three points on their driving record,” said Forney. “The second violation is a ten-day suspension and three points on their driving record. But for the third violation there is a 30-day driving suspension and three points on their driving record.”
Forney said when or if these points accumulate, they can negatively affect an individual’s ability to drive on base. If a driver earns more than 12 points on their on-base driving record it will result in a one year suspension of their driving privileges.
In addition to the new hands-free policy, Forney said Security Forces wants to make sure the community is aware that they will continue to do their job in enforcing speed limits, traffic infractions, as well as seat belts.