HOMESTEAD AIR RESERVE BASE, Fla. -- The Westover entrance is a well-known hazardous environment for anyone entering and exiting Homestead ARB, according to the Wing Safety office.
“When I arrived here, the Westover Gate entrance was a concern because of the lack of responsiveness people pay while proceeding through,” said Lt. Juan Lemus, the 482nd Security Forces Squadron chief of police services.
According to the Federal Highway Administration, 40 percent of all vehicle accidents are intersection related with 20 percent of accident fatalities occurring at an intersection.
Traffic on Biscayne Drive has tripled in activity since the increase of local community development.
“I’m staying in touch with local authorities to see if it’s possible for the county to contribute a traffic light to cut down on non-alert drivers,” said Lemus.
A myriad of car mishaps have occurred right in front of the gate. SFS gate sentries govern a very small distance from the entrance.
“We are sanctioned to control a distance of 30 yards beyond the Westover gate and we must contact local law enforcement in the event of an accident, then relinquish authority,” said Lemus.
Many grievances have been elevated to the Wing safety and SFS.
“I personally have had two near misses this fall,” said Master Sgt. Michael Minick, 482nd Maintenance Squadron aircraft mechanic. “Also, I have been told about incidents from across the wing involving near misses and collisions involving injuries including a recent accident in September.”
Yielding to any driver who does not stop or is approaching the intersection at high speeds can conceivably save lives.
“A safe habit to form when coming to a complete stop at a stop sign is to count to three before proceeding,” said Tech. Sgt. Michelle Lopez, a 482nd Fighter Wing occupational safety craftsman. “When entering a three-way intersections give yourself an additional two seconds to ensure it is safe to proceed.”
Minick and others who make the daily commute to work are apprehensive about the intersection.
“Waiting for the loss of an Airman to take this situation seriously is unacceptable and goes against our core values,” said Minick.
Below are things to contemplate while approaching a cross street according to the Wing Safety office:
• Enter the correct lane before reaching an intersection. And be sure to signal before changing lanes.
• Watch for caution signs. Be aware of turn restrictions, pedestrian crossings and ongoing construction that can limit your actions.
• Watch for other vehicles. Awareness of vehicles changing lanes abruptly can help avoid sideswipe collisions. Also, be sure to stay out of other drivers’ blind spots.
• Maintaining a safe distance between your car and the vehicle in front of you can help avoid intersection collisions.
• Be alert to brake lights or turn signals beyond the vehicle ahead of you. Try to anticipate when others will slow down.
• If turning right, check to the left and then right before accelerating. Vehicles ahead of you may stop for pedestrians crossing the street.
• Watch for pedestrians in all directions before making a turn at an intersection. Also, keep an eye out for cyclists going straight through the intersection.
• Avoid distractions of any kind.
• Do not tailgate.