Don’t be a dangerous driver

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Krystal Ardrey
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  In the past few months, the 39th Air Base Wing Safety Office has taken notice of an unfavorable trend of unsafe driving at Incirlik Air Base. As part of the trend, the wing has seen an upswing in complaints about speeding, texting while driving and drivers not following designated traffic patterns.

According to Tech. Sgt. Rosa Soria, 39th ABW Safety Office NCO in-charge of inspections, the safety office has noticed an increased amount of speeding around base.

"We have noticed speeding increased in parking lots, especially by the BX and commissary area," Soria said. "You know how there are arrows that say which way to go? [Drivers] are also going the wrong way. Keep in mind we have a lot of dependents here, a lot of kids, so you have to be very careful and ensure you adhere to the rules of the road."

Another increasing trend that has been reported to the wing is individual's texting while driving through base housing areas.

As stated in Department of Defense Instruction 6055.4, DOD Traffic Safety Program, all DOD personnel on official government business are prohibited from, "... messaging, using cell phones, or using other hand-held electronic devices unless the vehicle is safely parked or they are using a hands-free device, except for receiving or placing calls in performance of duties from tactical or emergency vehicles or other mission-critical duties."

DoDI 6055.4 also states that "vehicle operators [must] comply with applicable state, local and host-nation laws that are more stringent than this policy regarding distractions while driving (e.g., using cell phones, text messaging)." This is important because Incirlik Air Base Instruction 31-116 further restricts texting and driving for all personnel, not just DOD personnel on official duty.

Even though people may not think that texting while driving is not dangerous, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that distracted driving is a contributing cause of approximately 25 percent of motor vehicle crashes.

"If you see someone texting and driving, brief it in your work center," Soria advised. "The base isn't that big. If your phone starts ringing at the bowling alley and you are driving to your dorm, it's still going to be ringing by the time you reach home. It's not that far. And if you really have to take a phone call, pull into a parking lot, answer that text or phone call and then keep driving."

Driving trends such as speeding or distracted driving should be routed through the 39th ABW Safety Office's traffic safety working group at 676-7233.