JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
Accidents related to distracted driving have increased significantly across the Air Force over the past few years. In a direct effort to combat distracted driving and enhance safety, security forces airmen continue to enforce the installation distracted driving policy and crack down on cell phone use without a hands free device, while driving on base.
According to Col. Erik Goepner, Commander, 11th Security Forces Group, "This policy applies to all personnel who operate a vehicle on this base."
Additionally, non-service members will also be subject to fines in accordance with Maryland law.
To date, 75 drivers have been cited under the new policy, resulting in a suspension of on base driving privileges. The new policy, which was instated Jan. 2014, reinforces the Maryland State Law, which bans the use of cell phone without a hands-free device.
Furthermore, if a person operating a vehicle on base is pulled over for distracted driving, the 11th Security Forces Squadron will issue a citation suspending their base driving privileges. There will be a 30-day suspension for the first offense and a 90-day suspension for a subsequent offense. In accordance with standard procedures, individuals may request a hearing to allow restricted driving privileges or remove the suspension.
"The safety of all those who live, work and visit Joint Base Andrews is paramount." said Col. Bill Knight, 11th Wing commander. "This policy is critical to on-base safety and is in step with other bases across the Air Force. Hopefully, it will not only significantly decrease the distracted driving incidents on this base, but also within the surrounding communities."