BAGHDAD — According to the Army Combat Readiness Safety Center, there were nine pedestrian accidents in the past year on military installations. All pedestrians were struck by personally owned vehicles, and eight of the nine accidents were fatal.

In order to help avoid such incidents at Victory Base Complex, several base-wide announcements have been put out, through e-mail and other methods, to remind drivers to slow down to 10 mph when approaching runners and to remind runners that they cannot wear headphones while running or walking.

“It is to prevent accidents and injuries of all personnel,” said Percy Black, safety specialist with United States Division – Center.

It’s not just a good rule of thumb. It is a policy. Victory Base Complex Regulation 190-5, which covers motor traffic supervision, states that pedestrians will not wear earphones, headphones or MP3 devices while walking or running anywhere on the installation.

The reason?

“Simple reason. It’s a distractor. You can’t hear vehicles approaching, or if the speakers go off for indirect fire,” Black said.

The rule doesn’t just apply to military personnel; it also applies to civilians.

“We want Soldiers and civilians to get home to their loved ones,” Black said.

Black said another factor that increases the danger to pedestrians is the limited street lighting on VBC and other U.S. military bases in Iraq. This makes it very difficult for drivers to see runners if they are not wearing their reflective belts. Therefore, in order to avoid being injured, everyone should follow the policy of wearing their reflective belts during hours of darkness.

“By not following policies and guidelines, personnel could get injured or killed,” Black said.