Safer driving means safer lives

Photo By Lance Cpl. Peter Sanders | Sending and receiving text messages while operating a vehicle is considered distracted driving and can lead to serious collisions. In 2011, 3,331 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver, compared to 3,267 in 2010, according to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (Photo illustration by Lance Cpl. Pete Sanders)  

CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JAPAN

10.04.2013

Story by Lance Cpl. Peter Sanders 

III Marine Expeditionary Force   

CAMP FOSTER, Japan - Driving has become an essential part of most of our daily lives. It connects us to our places of work, leisure and residency and, if taken for granted, can also pose a serious risk.

Motor vehicle crashes accounted for more than 32,300 deaths on U.S. highways in 2011, according to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, exceeding the posted speed limit, and texting while driving are some of the most common causes of traffic collisions.

“Each of these issues has a solution,” said James A. Cox, the operations supervisor with the Installation Safety Office, Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, Marine Corps Installations Pacific. “DUI (and driving while intoxicated) can be avoided either through the Arrive Alive program, daiko services or simply having a designated driver before you drink.”

Arrive Alive provides drivers with informational material about many aspects of safe-driving habits, including alternatives to drinking and driving.

Daiko services provide a driver to return a customer’s car to their place of residence, as well as a traditional taxi service for the customer.

Besides maintaining sobriety, staying alert and aware of posted speed limits and road conditions can help you maintain control of your vehicle and further reduce the risk of an incident.

Using hands-free technology or safely pulling over to stop before talking or texting on your cellphone are effective ways to communicate if absolutely necessary.

Ignoring or overlooking these basic safety guidelines can, and often will, catch the attention of law enforcement personnel, according to Cox.

“It doesn’t matter what rank or position, anyone ticketed by military or security police may be required to attend a mandatory remedial driver’s improvement course hosted by the Installation Safety Office,” said Cox. “Depending on the severity of the violation, you may lose your status of forces agreement (driving) permit for the rest of your tour on Okinawa.”

In addition to the legal ramifications, unsafe driving can cause serious harm to other drivers, passengers and pedestrians, according to Cox.

“The easiest way to keep out of trouble and from harming someone is to obey all of the traffic laws,” said Cox. “The laws are there for a reason.”

Drivers, passengers and pedestrians should use situational awareness to further ensure their safe transit of the roadways.

“Just because you’re playing it safe, doesn’t mean everyone else is,” said Cox. “Stay alert for other drivers, and be especially alert for those driving smaller vehicles that can evade our peripherals, such as mopeds and motorcycles.”

Contact the Installation Safety Office, MCB Camp Butler, MCIPAC, at 645-7219 or 645-3183 with additional questions or concerns.

• Date Taken: 10.04.2013
• Date Posted: 10.03.2013 21:31
• Story ID: 114732
• Location: CAMP FOSTER, OKINAWA, JP
• Hometown: CUDAHY, WI, US
• Hometown: MILWAUKEE, WI, US