Safe driving: the easiest way to save a life

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Nick Caceres
  • 482nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. --  Fastening a seatbelt and adjusting rear-view mirrors are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to safe driving.

While the traffic on a typical reserve base is slow, the tenets of safe driving should be practiced at full speed.

The typical violations related to driving and include speeding, failure to stop, illegal parking, cell phone use while driving, hit and run, seatbelt violations, and driving with a suspended license. The total number of tickets issued for violations on base has gone down slightly over the last year, but, according to Maj. David Cortez, 482nd Security Forces Squadron operations officer, the key to decreasing the number of violations on base is education.

"People just need to educate themselves on what exactly the rules are on base," he said. "From the various speed limits throughout the base, to watching out for pedestrians, if people are educated regarding the rules and protocols of the road, the end result is a safer base for everyone."

At newcomers briefings, local roadway safety requirements as well as rules and regulations are taught to Airmen who are new to the base. But, as always, some responsibility also lies on commanders to ensure they're training their troops on the safety culture.

Just as motorists are required to be diligent behind the wheel, pedestrians on foot should also be conscientious of their surroundings and rules. Whether it's wearing reflective clothing or belts during hours of darkness, using crosswalks, or never assuming the motorist sees you, pedestrians should take as much initiative as motorists when it comes to safety.

"Not only are there pedestrians on the crosswalk, but there are joggers on the road and small golf carts," said Mr. Juan Lemus, 482nd SFS Police Services and Controlled Area program manager. "You don't want to be that person to clip a jogger with your mirror. Keep vehicle safety in mind when driving on base, otherwise, the consequences of could be deadly."

When it comes to tickets for violations on base, several scenarios can happen. People may receive a verbal warning but just as likely a ticket can be issued. Once a ticket is issued, it must be turned into the recipient's commander and subsequent action can be taken according to the recipient's commander.

Tickets on base never deal with monetary fines, but the repercussions that can happen could be far worse. Ticketing on base deals with a points system. Once a motorist receives 12 points, they are considered a habitual problem and driving privileges are suspended for a year. Seatbelt and cell phone tickets are six points each and speeding tickets are four points. Motorists traveling 15 miles per hour over the speed limit are categorized under careless driving, and motorists traveling more than 25 miles per hour over the speed limit are categorized under reckless driving. For those categorized under careless or reckless driving, the ticket is still only four points on base but the charges are forwarded to Miami Dade Police Department for subsequent action.

On Homestead Air Reserve Base, the use of cell phones is only authorized if a headset or Bluetooth is used or if the phone is on speaker mode; the phone cannot be in the motorist's hands. The use of headphones, earphones and cell phones can hinder or prevent recognition of emergency signals, alarms, announcements, and approach of vehicles. Motorists must comply with applicable federal, state, local laws regarding distractions while driving.

Another concern for motorists may be the question of what does one do if their car breaks down on base. In the case of a stranded car, motorists may call a tow truck to come on base. But people must remember to notify security forces so they can escort the tow truck on base.

In the end, Cortez stresses the importance of simply being aware of one's surroundings, but he also stresses that security forces on the lookout for those who don't practice roadway and driving safety.

"You never know if something is going to happen on the road which you have no control over," he said. "But if precautions are taken, if you do your due diligence, you can at the very least avoid a ticket, but at the very most, you can save a life."