COMMENTARY: Focus on safety as children return to school

  • Published
  • By Capt. Chad Atkinson-Adams
  • 100th Security Forces Squadron
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  As the season begins to change, the weather begins to cool and, most importantly, our children return to those hallowed halls of knowledge. After a summer of fun and relaxation, it's time to refocus on driver and pedestrian safety.

To start the school term on a positive note by ensuring all students have a safe beginning for new school year, it's important to remember pedestrian and driving safety extends beyond just the borders of our base. These concepts apply no matter where we live.

During this time of year, drivers need to adjust their expectations as more pedestrians will be congregating on roadsides, particularly around bus stops. On RAF Mildenhall, we have one bus stop on the main base located near the BXtra and the 100th Security Forces Squadron dormitory. We also have a bus stop at our housing annex, as well as near the entrance to the Beck Row community. With more people concentrated in these areas, it's even more important than ever for drivers to slow down and keep a watchful eye on the road - you just never know what could happen.

It only takes seconds to change someone's life.

On average, it takes a normal person approximately two seconds to react when faced with an unexpected event while driving (like a child running out in front of the car). Speed, road and vehicle conditions all contribute to how long it will actually take you to stop. On dry roads, vehicles slow down at a rate of 15 feet per second, every second. A car traveling at 15 mph versus 10 mph will take an additional 17 feet to stop - which could be the difference between a near miss and an accident with injuries.

The 100th SFS and Team Mildenhall's leaders want to ensure our military members, civilians and families are able to work and play safely. Mildenhall Instruction 31-218 Motor Vehicle/Traffic Supervision provides the rules and enforceable guidelines which describe safe driving practices. Similarly, we are responsible for following the provisions of the United Kingdom's Highway Code while traveling off-base. It's important for all of Team Mildenhall to be aware of the rules and regulations which govern how we drive on and off the installation.

The consequences for failing to follow the regulation can be quite severe. For example, if a driver is caught driving on the installation without his or her seatbelt, or is using a cell phone without a hands-free device, whether texting or talking, the driver will receive a traffic citation from the 100th SFS. The operator of the vehicle will also have his or her driving privileges suspended on the spot for seven calendar days for the first offense. If caught a second time, the driving privileges will be immediately suspended for 14 days. A third offense means they will be suspended for 30 days.

All offenses come with a base driving-privilege point penalty - an accumulation of 12 points in a two-year period will result in the suspension of all base driving privileges.

Failing to display a valid road tax disc will result in the driver being ticketed and having two points assessed form his or her driving record. Points are also assessed on a graded scale for speed limit violations: 1 to 10 mph over the speed limit results in three points; 11 to 15 mph over the speed limit equals four points; 16 to 20 mph over the speed limit results in five points and more than 20 mph over the speed limit will accumulate six points.

As the new school year begins and the season changes, it is especially important to be conscious of the posted speed limits, especially in the areas surrounding bus stops. Expect to see an increase in pedestrian traffic in the morning and late afternoons; remember that pedestrians have the right-of-way at zebra crossings.

The 100th SFS, 100th Air Refueling Wing Safety Office and wing leadership thank you for being part of our team. You each make a positive difference in the Air Force every day - continue to be that positive difference and take care of our kids and teammates this school year.

Slow down, stay alert and drive safe.

(Information courtesy of www.csgnetwork.com/stopdistinfo.html).