ANDREWS AIR FORCE BASE, MD. –
There is no specific demographic that is immune to car accidents and mishaps - most everyone at some point in their life will be involved in one.
At Andrews Air Force Base, traffic offenders may be required to participate in a re-training course designed to help these driver's better their on-the-road behavior.
"The objective of the traffic re-training program is to change driver behaviors and attitudes to prevent future traffic crashes, injuries and deaths," Lisa Carter 316th Wing safety deputy chief. "It's intended to provide driver rehabilitation and teach personnel to drive defensively and react to potentially dangerous traffic situations as well as further increase awareness."
The re-training program covers the basics of driving and includes a comprehensive end-of-course test.
"The traffic re-training program is a six to eight-hour class consisting of eight video segments and reviews of reading materials on the rules of the road," said Ms. Carter. "The class ends with a 20-question test."
The course also involves contributions from students which helps to correct any misunderstandings of the rules of the road.
"The key is class participation in which the students and instructor discuss different scenarios," said Ms. Carter. "Through this participation, personnel seem to retain the information better as they discuss personal encounters of the different scenarios."
The program also benefits Airmen by bringing up issues that may not have been important when they first learned the meaning of driver safety.
"By being re-educated on traffic safety issues, the number of vehicle crashes and moving violations will decrease tremendously," said Ms. Carter.
In the Year of the Air Force Family, this course involves the home front in that the education is something that can be passed on to family members.
"It's a very useful program in re-iterating and re-educating our Airmen on the hazards associated with driving, which is ultimately what gets them back home to their families," said Ms. Carter.
When driving on or off the installation, there are a few main rules of the road that every Airman should remember.
"The best advice is to just obey all traffic control devices, which include speed limit signs," said Ms. Carter. "Also, remember that total focus should remain on controlling the vehicle."
All Airmen are subject to the risks of driving - this course could provide the knowledge that may save lives in the future.
"The traffic re-training program is very important because motor vehicle mishaps are the number-one killer of our Airmen," said Ms. Carter. "These fatalities can be prevented when our members are taught to operate motor vehicles in a responsible manner."