Put the brakes on speeding

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Patrice Clarke
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Many base members have recently been channeling their inner NASCAR driver and been ignoring speed limits on base. Base members be advised, this is not Talladega and you are not Ricky Bobby.

"Most instances we see are on A and E Street, especially on the way to the golf course," said Master Sgt. Joel Davis, 39th Security Forces Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of police services.

The maximum speed limit on base is 40 kilometers per hour, but in many places the speeds are a lot less: 25 kph in military family housing and 8 kph when in parking lots and when backing up.

"Most base personnel feign lack of understanding that speed limits are posted in kilometers per hour and 'forget' to differentiate between that and miles per hour," said Sergeant Davis.

Forget or not, according to Sergeant Davis, Security Forces will be more visible with speed enforcement in the near future.

"If personnel are caught speeding, they will be issued a traffic citation with instructions to report to their first sergeant or commander within 24 hours or the next duty day," said Sergeant Davis.

Security Forces will assess the citation that was issued and inform the individual's leadership what standard points are normally assessed against an individual's driver's license according to IAW AFI 31-204. Accumulation of 12 points against a license may result in suspension of driving privileges.

Revoked driving privileges are not the only consequence of speeding; very serious injury could also result.

"Speeding kills," said Master Sgt. Andrew Jones, 39th Air Base Wing ground safety superintendent. "Imagine a 4,000 pound vehicle that was speeding through housing running you over."

Team Incirlik members are reminded that the weather is warming and more people are participating in outdoor activities like walking or bike riding.

"Spring is in full force in Turkey ... the weather is beautiful, the flowers and trees are filling out, the grass is green, and we are barreling down on spring break," said Col. "Tip" Stinnette, 39th Air Base Wing commander. "Speeding puts everyone in danger, especially our youth. No meeting or appointment is worth the risk of an accident."