JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
Whether it is going out to the movies, grabbing a bite to eat or getting to work, driving is a fundamental part of life; one phone call, one text, one poor decision could end that life too soon.
Distracted driving is a significant factor in many vehicle crashes. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2,221 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver in 2011, and an additional 387,000 people were injured. Additionally, drivers who use hand-held devices while driving are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves or others.
"The leading cause of death in the DOD is motor vehicle accidents and the number one most violated driving rule I have seen on base is cell phone usage without a hands-free device," said Lisa Carter, 11th Wing Safety ground safety manager. "Distracted driving has caused far too many injuries and fatalities."
In order to avoid unnecessary destruction of property and loss of life, there are several rules and regulations for Joint Base Andrews drivers.
"The installation driving rules and regulations are in place in order to establish the responsibility and procedures for all motor vehicle operators who drive on Joint Base Andrews," said Tech. Sgt. Vanessa Agcamaran, 11th Security Forces Squadron police services and confinement NCO. "It is everyone's responsibility to follow the rules of the road. Doing this ensures the safety of everyone on Joint Base Andrews."
Agcamaran added, even though every state has their own driving rules, all military members and Department of Defense civilians have certain rules they must follow, not only on base, but off base as well.
Air Force Instruction 91-207 applies to Air Force personnel at all times, and DOD civilians on duty. The AFI says these people are prohibited from texting while driving on or off a DOD installation. The use of cell phones while driving without hands free devices is against the law on military installations and in many states.
Carter added the rules here are in place for a reason and there is no excuse for not following them.
"There is nothing so important that it cannot wait until you are done driving," she said. "If there is an emergency where you absolutely have to answer your phone, pull over."
Depending on the circumstances, every accident caused by distracted driving is 100 percent preventable, Carter noted.
"We see distracted driving all the time and it is scary," said Carter. "If you have ever followed behind a distracted driver, it is like following a drunk driver. It is extremely dangerous, not just to the driver, but anyone else on the road with them.
"We all have a responsibility to correct people who drive distracted when we can," she added. "Getting the word out, letting people know that what they are doing is wrong may not be the easiest thing to do, but it could save lives."