CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Team Charleston members who illegally use cell phones and neglect to use seat belts while driving on base are getting ticketed for those offenses more aggressively.
With the Air Mobility Command operational readiness inspection coming up in August, base leadership wants to get the attention of drivers on base, to include active-duty Airmen, Reservists, civilians and family members, that it is illegal to use a cell phone without a hands-free device or for occupants to go without using a seat belt while driving on base.
While this stronger response comes during the time when the base is getting ready for the inspection, base leadership wants to highlight the importance of safety at all times when it come to driving on Charleston AFB.
"Safety is vitally important ... whether an inspector is around or not,"
said Col. John "Red" Millander, 437th Airlift Wing commander. "Wear your seat belt; doing so significantly increases your chances of surviving a major accident. If you have to answer your cell phone while driving, use a hands-free device or pull over. We're serious about ensuring people are making smart choices because lives ultimately depend on it."
The heightened vigilance of traffic violations, which started June 24, is not to enforce new laws, but it is to enforce already existing traffic laws.
"Two weeks ago, Colonel Millander asked the squadron commanders to get the word out to everybody that we will be strictly ticketing individuals for these two violations because we are concerned some people are blatantly disregarding these two laws," said Col. Frank Jones, 437th Mission Support Group commander. "He chose two weeks to get the word out to people that we are not just giving warnings any more, but we are giving tickets for these offenses."
If individuals are caught violating the cell phone, seat belt or any traffic law, they will be given a ticket by the 437th Security Forces Squadron. After receiving a ticket, security forces will use the traffic point system, which is a uniformed administrative device to impartially judge the person's driving performance.
For failure of a vehicle operator or occupants to use safety belts, the operator will be assessed four points. For use of a cell phone without a hands-free device while driving, the operator will be assessed three points.
Along with the traffic point system, a gradual assessment of overall traffic management includes the following use of on-base driving suspensions:
· One-month suspension for second offense for failure to wear an approved safety device (seat belt).
· Two-month suspension for accumulation of nine points in a 12-month period.
· Six-month suspension for 12 points in a 12-month period.
· Six-month suspension for 18 points in a 24-month period.
· Two-year suspension if apprehended, detained or arrested for driving while on the base or when state driving privileges are suspended.
During the two-week timeframe of letting Team Charleston members know about the increased vigilance for cell phone use while driving and enforcement of seat belt use, the 437th Airlift Wing Safety Office also tracked how many people have been breaking the law by observing drivers at various locations around the base.
During the two weeks, Terry Pearce, 437 AW Safety Office ground safety technicians noted that out of 1,928 drivers, more than six percent were not wearing seat belts and at least 19 were using cell phones without a hands-free device.
"We are increasing awareness of the base population," said Mr. Pearce. "By adhering to established rules and laws, we are protecting our most important resource -- our people."