Traffic Enforcement Efforts on Patrick AFB and CCAFS Published July 27, 2012 By Maj. S. Nathan Puwalowski PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Now that we are in the summer months, planning vacations, and enjoying quality time with family and friends it's imperative not to get distracted and forget the importance of safety while driving on our roadways. One of the simplest ways to preserve safety is to follow traffic laws while operating motor vehicles. This includes following the speed limits, preventing distracted driving, and using restraint devices for passengers to include our children during transport. While this topic may sound trivial, the statistics are quite alarming. Speed kills. According to the US Department of Transportation, speeding costs society $44,193 dollars every minute, or $23 billion annually. Unfortunately, speed is a factor in nearly one-third of all fatal crashes. Here at PAFB and CCAFS our goal is to prevent speeding and speed related accidents. To do this, the 45th Security Forces Squadron has increased selective traffic enforcements using speed-measuring devices. While this method by Security Forces will ultimately reduce speeding by enforcement and issuing citations, it's best to make the conscious decision not to speed and, therefore, lower the risk of an accident or receiving a speeding citation. Another area of concern on our roadways is distracted driving. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2010 there were 3,092 fatalities in distracted-affected crashes. Today's society has become increasingly dependent on the perceived need to communicate instantly. Methods of instant communication include texting or using a cell phone without a hands-free device. Both are dangerous and distracting while driving and are prohibited on PAFB and CCAFS--violators will be issued a citation. 'Click it or Ticket' is not just a law enforcement campaign to increase seatbelt use, it should be a regular practice by all drivers. According to the NHTSA, seatbelts save over 13,000 lives every year. To bolster seatbelt use, law enforcement agencies are expected to issue 500,000 tickets this year for failure to wear seatbelts including the failure to use child safety seats. To prevent injuries or even deaths, it's vitally important to properly restrain children in child safety seats while driving. For more information on child restraint devices go to www.nhtsa.gov/Safety/CPS. The 45th Security Forces Squadron's renewed enforcement efforts were designed to prevent these dangerous activities from occurring. With this in mind, we are going to be watching closely to ensure your safety. In the end, motor vehicle driving safety is quite simple. All you have to do is be aware of and follow the installation's traffic laws. When all else fails, plan ahead, allow yourself extra time, concentrate on the road, and most importantly, drive the posted speed limit.