RAF Mildenhall DUIs are on the rise

  • Published
  • By Karen Abeyasekere
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  The number of people stationed at RAF Mildenhall who have been caught drinking and driving has increased from last year. In 2007, eight people were caught and received punishment for driving while over the legal blood-alcohol limit. So far in 2008 there have been five, and it's only just half-way through the year. 

"It's very important that people realize they shouldn't be drinking and driving at all, let alone having one or two drinks," said Lt. Col. Gary Slack, 100th Air Refueling Wing chief of safety. "Don't do it - get somebody else to do the driving." 

Lt. Col. Slack said prevention is turning into a combined effort from base agencies. Sweeps have been conducted for drugs and alcohol at the entrance and exit gates on a Saturday night. 

"We're happy to have seen a large number of taxis being used - there were some who'd obviously drank a lot, but we didn't find anyone who was DUI," he said. "Some were in taxis, some came home with (Airmen Against Drunk Driving) - that's the kind of thing we want to see." 

According to the chief of safety, AADD's numbers, or "saves" as they are more commonly known, have increased consistently over the last four years.

Weekends are not the only days during which DUI incidents occur. Some Airmen work weekends because of their shift schedules and have the time off during mid-week.

"The problem is that AADD is only able to work Fridays, Saturdays, and some Sundays, so during the week people are limited to being smart, having a designated driver, or using taxis," he said.

One of the highest at-risk demographics are young Airmen, usually around 18 years old, who get stationed here. They can't drink legally in the United States., so when they find out they can drink here, they tend to drink more, the lieutenant colonel said.

"In 2003, we had nine deaths on the highway and 33 DUIs, and we were consistently having numbers like that. But in 2005 and 2006, we were down to 14; in 2007, we were down to eight -- and that's the kind of trend we want to keep going. Since 2003, the number of deaths has also dropped dramatically."

Lt. Col. Slack said alcohol in England can be much stronger, and British pints tend to be larger than the typical 12-ounce drinks served in the United States. Combined with binge drinking and buying rounds, people get drunk faster or drink more than they were expecting.

Breathalyzers measure alcohol levels in the bloodstream by measuring alcohol particles in breath. The legal limit is considered reached at 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100 milliliters of breath. The legal blood-alcohol limit for driving in the United Kingdom is 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 milliliters of blood.

Anyone caught driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs off base will be prosecuted by the British police, whether military or civilian.

The police can stop vehicles and ask the driver to take a breath test if they suspect he or she has been drinking. Drivers don't have to be in an accident to be breath tested. Any moving traffic offense, such as brake lights not working, not stopping at a stop sign, illegal overtaking, or running a red light gives police the right to breathalyze any driver, according to Police Constable Paul Glover, Ministry of Defence Police community safety officer for RAFs Mildenhall and Lakenheath.

"If we stop drivers for those offences and we smell alcohol, we'll breathalyze them. After a road traffic collision, it's a common practice to breathalyze both drivers," said PC Glover. "If they give a positive sample of breath, the machine goes red, and the driver will be arrested. If someone refuses to give a sample, whether breath, blood or urine, he or she will be prosecuted."

According to the U.K. Department of Transport Web site, an average of 100,000 drivers are convicted every year for drink driving. Different types of convictions incur different maximum penalties. Causing death by careless driving when under the influence of alcohol or drugs carries a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment, a driving ban for at least two years, and being required to take an extended driving test. Driving or attempting to drive while above the legal limit or unfit through alcohol can result in up to six months imprisonment, a fine of £5,000 and being banned from driving for at least one year. Refusing to provide a specimen of breath, blood or urine for analysis can result in the same penalty.

Airmen also face career-impacting repercussions, which includes a minimum of a letter of reprimand, unfavorable information file and placement on a control roster, according to Capt. Lisa Richard, 100th Air Refueling Wing Judge Advocate Office chief of military justice. Airmen caught driving under the influence on base face non-judicial punishment for violating Article 111 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Penalties often include loss of rank and driving privileges, not to mention a loss of respect from coworkers, leadership, friends and family. Staff Sergeants and above face the possibility of an administrative demotion for failing to maintain standards, as well as lower ratings on performance reports.

P.C. Glover said when drivers are arrested for drunk driving, they lose their licenses within four days. They are fingerprinted, photographed and have a DNA sample taken, then given a criminal record.

"The fastest I've seen someone their license was four hours -- he was arrested at 6 a.m., in court at 10 a.m., and lost his license immediately. He also got a driving ban for 12 months and a £500 fine."

Team Mildenhall members can stop the rising trend in DUIs -- all that's needed is a plan, and the common sense to put it into action.

"If all else fails, you can call AADD, though it's important to remember that AADD should only be used as a last resort," Lt. Col. Slack said. "We're not looking to run a taxi service -- we're there to pick people up whose plans have failed. The whole point is, if you're going to go out drinking, plan to have a designated driver, plan for way to get back, or plan for a place to crash downtown."

"But, as always, every commander and every (first sergeant) would prefer that you call them rather than drink and drive," he said.

For more information about volunteering for AADD, call Tech. Sgt. Rebecca Janssen at 238-3375. To call AADD for a ride home, call 0800 3280178.