New seatbelt policy restrains lawbreakers

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jacob Corbin
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Brig. Gen. Richard Devereaux, 82nd Training Wing commander, signed a new seatbelt policy letter in an effort to maintain a "safe, secure and supportive environment," one of the general's main goals for Sheppard.

"In my view, there are two kinds of drivers at Sheppard," General Devereaux said in a policy e-mail May 25. "The first group always, always, always wears their seatbelts and ensures everyone in the vehicle is buckled up - it's an ingrained habit pattern for these drivers. The second group of drivers occasionally or frequently fails to buckle up.

"If you're not in the first group, if you don't always buckle your seatbelt, and ensure your passengers do the same, you need to change your ways, now."

Statistics show that the use of seatbelts really does make a difference in saving lives during auto accidents.

Safety experts estimated that 1,200 lives have been saved since 2002 and more than 28,000 injuries have been prevented from seatbelt usage, according to the 82nd TRW Safety Office. In fatal crashes, 75 percent of people ejected from a vehicle died. Safety belts are proven to prevent ejection and may have saved lives in these cases.

In fiscal year 2006, the Air Force had 32 fatal vehicle mishaps, 15 of which where occupants were not wearing seatbelts.

"It's everyone's responsibility to establish a safer driving culture," said Staff Sgt. Darrell Leatherman, safety technician with the safety office. "Without a doubt, someone looks up to you, whether it's your children, co-workers or Airmen-in-Training. Do the right thing and buckle up."

The new policy takes a tougher stance on the standard seat belt fines, with first-time military offenders receiving a citation and loss of driving privileges on base for one week. The second offense consists of a citation and loss of privileges for one month, and the third is a citation and no driving on Sheppard for one year.

For any civilian on Sheppard, whether a dependent, contractor or government employee, the first offense consists of a citation and a monetary fine. They face a citation, fine and loss of base driving privileges for one week on the second offense. From there on, the loss of privileges to drive mirrors that of a military member, going up to one year for the fourth offense.

In addition to the tougher punishments, Sheppard security forces personnel will step-up their seatbelt enforcement.

"They do it already," said Master Sgt. Barry Alcorn, 82nd Security Forces Squadron superintendent of reports and analysis, "but now with a more eyes-on approach."

Sergeant Alcorn said he strongly encourages Team Sheppard members to use their seatbelts, claiming that for him its already second nature.

"I just get in and put it on," he said. "If you look at seatbelts overall, they really do save lives. You always hear people say 'if only they had their seatbelt on.' Hopefully it keeps you alive by using it."

General Devereaux said some may say this is too tough.

"Here's the deal - if you don't wear your seatbelts all the time, you are at a huge risk of killing yourself in an auto accident - any accident," he said. "And we can't afford to lose you. I'd rather you walk, or pay a fine, than die."

The new policy went into effect May 24.