Cell phones prohibited while driving

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Joshua G. Moshier
  • Black Hills Bandit staff
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  Ellsworth security forces will issue warnings to drivers in violation of the new Department of Defense policy restricting the use of hand-held cellular phones while driving on DOD installations. Beginning April 1, violators will be issued citations and assessed three points on their base driving record.

Beginning April 1, drivers on Ellsworth will be ticketed for using a hand-held cell phone while operating a motor vehicle.

The Department of Defense instituted a cell phone restriction that took effect on all DOD installations Monday.

Ellsworth will issue warnings to drivers in violation of this restriction until April 1.

“This grace period gives security forces, commanders and supervisors time to get the word out to the base populace (prior to taking disciplinary action),” said Senior Master Sgt. Gregory Williams, 28th Security Forces Squadron operations superintendent.

The DOD Joint Motor Vehicle Traffic Supervision Regulation, Paragraph 4-2, Installation Traffic Codes states:

“Vehicle operators on a DOD installation and operators of government owned vehicles will not use cell phones unless the vehicle is safely parked or unless they are using a hands-free device. The wearing of any other portable headphones, earphones or other listening devices (except for hands-free cellular phones) while operating a motor vehicle is prohibited.

“Use of those devices impairs driving and masks or prevents recognition of emergency signals, alarms, announcements, the approach of vehicles and human speech. DOD component safety guidance should note the potential for driver distractions such as eating and drinking, operating radios, CD players, global positioning equipment, etc. Whenever possible, this should only be done when the vehicle is safely parked.”

Offenses at Ellsworth will be classified as a moving violation, and offenders will be assessed three points on their installation driving record. An accumulation of 12 points in 12 consecutive months or 18 points in 24 consecutive months will result in a suspension of base driving privileges for up to one year.

Thus far, Ellsworth Airmen seem receptive to the policy.

“When people are driving, they should be focused on driving,” said Tech. Sgt. James Powell, 28th Bomb Wing executive assistant to the command chief. “In my job, I depend on my cell phone quite a bit. Still, if my phone rings while I’m driving, it doesn’t get picked up. I’ve got voice mail, and the call can wait. I even question why a hands-free device should be allowed.”

Safety and awareness tend to be the focus of most Airmen interviewed.

“This policy can only help,” said Staff Sgt. Monica Cox, 28th Operations Support Squadron weather reporter. “We weren’t allowed to use our cell phone while driving when I was stationed in Germany, and I was wondering when they’d have a policy like that here.

“There’s nothing bad about it. People should pay attention when they drive.”

In addition to the new driving policy, cell phone usage was also highlighted when the 97th Uniform Board met recently. According to the board’s results, cell phones, pagers and personal digital assistants must be solid or covered in black, silver, dark blue or gray, and must be conservative. They may be clipped to the left side of the waistband or purse or carried in the left hand. They may only be worn on the uniform belt. Members will not walk in uniform while using phones, radios or hands-free headsets unless required in performing official duties using a government-issued device.