Hands-free cell phones saves lives

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Valerie Hosea
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The most common and dangerous distraction to drivers today is the cell phone. To help decrease accidents, Department of Defense installations have a "hands-free talking" rule when driving.

This rule is especially important to Sheppard because of the large number of Airmen in Training that occupy it.

"We have a lot of foot traffic on this base," said Tech Sgt. Christopher McDonald, 82nd Training Wing ground safety technician. "There are more possibilities and risks for accidents. Hands-free talking while driving allows us to be more focused."

Sergeant McDonald said the use of a cellular device is hazardous when interacting with traffic at anytime, including crossing the streets as a pedestrian.

"When interacting with traffic, that should be your only focus; whether you're a pedestrian or a driver," he said. "When a pedestrian is walking across a street on base, they're not allowed to use a cell phone because it is a distraction. They may become unaware of their surroundings, placing them in harm's way."

The use of hands-free cellular devices is a rule because of the tremendous consequences caused by the lack of focus created by looking away from the road.

"Anytime you take your eyes off the road, you're setting yourself up for an accident," Sergeant McDonald said.

"A five-second phone call can impact a lot of lives. For example, if you're driving and you hit an AiT, you've just injured or killed an Airman, his or her family is affected, and if you are charged with manslaughter your family is affected as well."

Sheppard has regulations, enforced by 82nd Security Forces Squadron, in effect to penalize those who fail to follow rules.

Staff Sgt. William Trim, 82nd SFS confinement NCO in charge, said a driver could face losing their driving privileges on base if they are caught using a cell phone while driving.

"The consequence for driving while utilizing your cellular device is a traffic citation worth three points," he said. "If an individual has accumulated 12 traffic points within 12 consecutive months, or 18 traffic points within 24 consecutive months they will lose their driving privileges on base for a minimum of six months."

Sergeant Trim also said holding a cellular device while it is on speaker phone is not considered a hands free device since the individual is still holding the cellular device.

According to Sheppard Air Force Base Instruction 31-204, all vehicle operators will be denied access to the installation if they are on their cell phone without utilizing a hands-free device. The use of cell phones and operating a motor vehicle on Sheppard AFB is prohibited unless they are using a hands-free device.