Joint Base Charleston Public Affairs –
The 628th Security Forces Squadron at Joint Base Charleston - Air Base conducted a selective enforcement Feb. 19 through 24 to verify drivers were operating their vehicles safely and with the proper paperwork.
The week-long selective enforcement was named "Operation Safe Travel" and a total of nine drivers were issued citations. More than half of those issued were military personnel. Along with proper paperwork, officers were also checking for proper seatbelt use, speeding and making sure drivers were using a hands-free device while operating a cell phone.
Driving without a license or driving with a suspended license violates base driving requirements. It also violates South Carolina state law.
"Security Forces will continue to enforce traffic laws on a daily basis," said Lt. Col. Frances Dorish, 628th SFS commander. "Selective enforcement such as Operation Safe Travel is one of the tools we will continue to use to ensure the safety of our base populace."
During Operation Safe Travel the two traffic laws most violated were driving without proof of insurance and proper registration.
According to the Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Act, driving without proof of insurance or with insufficient insurance is against South Carolina state law. During Operation Safe Travel, four drivers were unable to provide their proof of insurance.
In addition, another South Carolina traffic law violated by three drivers was failure to provide proper registration.
Two drivers failed to provide proof of insurance and proper registration.
"All nine tickets were 'fix-it' tickets," said Dorish. "If the drivers show proof of their missing insurance or registration within 72 hours, the issued ticket will be invalidated."
No revocation of driving privilege letters were issued during Operation Safe Travel.
"Operations such as Operation Safe Travel will continue to focus on various issues intended to keep our installation safe," said Dorish. "Distracted driving is a major concern for us and I would like to remind all drivers to wear safety belts and put down the cell phones."