Life at the 'Lik: Driver safety course

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Eboni Reams
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  Editor's note: This article is part of a series designed to provide in-depth information to both current and future members of Team Incirlik about topics specific to Incirlik and Turkey. The goal is to assist Airmen and families in making informed decisions about their move to the area and to provide guidance about local policies, procedures and quality of life matters.

The 39th Air Base Wing safety office is providing a new learning experience for all incoming vehicle operators on Incirlik Air Base: The Driver's Safety Course.

The interactive course, taught in the Airman and Family Readiness Center classroom at 7:30 a.m. every Monday, prepares newly assigned Airmen for the differences and customs of driving in Turkey. Safety personnel are available for any questions the newcomers may have.

"The 39th ABW safety office is in charge of ensuring the health and safety of all of Team Incirlik, which means all personnel are as educated as possible by us about the driving conditions or hazards they may face on and off base," said Tech. Sgt. Fatimat Bello, 39th ABW Safety NCO in-charge of investigations.

Experience can be a teacher in most instances. In the case of driving safely and knowing the rules and habits of the Turkish roads and highways, safety is being proactive and teaching driver's before they get out on the roads.

"All newcomers arriving are mandated by the 39th ABW commander to attend the course in order to receive a form 181, the Turkish translation of their driver's license," said Bello.

Maj. Jason Helton, 39th ABW chief of safety, explained the class is not only for military members.

"The goal of the new driver's training class is to educate new members about the hazards they will encounter while driving around Turkey," said Helton. "Driver's will be better prepared, ultimately preventing any serious mishaps. Dependents and civilians are highly encouraged to attend the class as well."

Different nations have driving practices and regulations which visitors and newcomers need to know and abide by to explore and travel safely. Turkey is one of those countries. This customized driving course goes over specific situations unique to the surrounding regions of Incirlik AB.

"Every foreign country has its own hazards that we have to get used to when driving," explained Bello. "Sometimes it is driving on the opposite side of the road and sometimes it is erratic drivers that swerve in and out of traffic, honk every two seconds and even make a two lane road a five lane road, which are the driving conditions that we encounter every day in Turkey."

Bello gave a tip for being a prepared and educated driver here in Turkey.

Newcomers can decrease their chances of being involved in a vehicle mishap by being a passenger for as long as possible before tackling the driving conditions in Turkey. Ride with a friend or taxi driver to get used to the traffic environment before taking your personal vehicle or renting a car to go exploring, explained Bello.

For more information, contact the safety office at 676-7233.