Photo By Ryo Isobe | YOKOSUKA, Japan (Nov. 15, 2021) – Sailors attached to Defense Logistics Agency...... read more read more
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As we approach the holiday season, it becomes important to adhere to both on-base and off-base street safety regulations in order to keep Sailors, their families, and our Japanese neighbors happy and healthy as we get closer to the New Year.
To that end, Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka’s (CFAY) safety office has some general strategies for base residents to follow.
“Be aware of your surroundings—pay attention, as many are often not [paying attention]. Lately, people are very focused on electronic devices and thus subject themselves and others to personal harm,” said Doreen Lester, CFAY’s Installation Safety Director. “When the majority are not aware of their surroundings, people are putting themselves and others at risk of injury or worse.”
From January 2021 to October 2021, there were a total of 22 bicycle and pedestrian accidents that occurred onboard CFAY.
The use of portable listening devices and cellular phones in particular often tear one’s attention away from transitioning from crosswalk to sidewalk, or from streetlight to streetlight.
“When focused on their devices, many people walk without looking up from their screens, and do not consider that a driver may be distracted as well,” Lester said. “It is always best to make eye contact with the driver if you are a pedestrian or bicyclist, and should always look both ways before crossing.”
On the topic of pedestrian and bicyclist traffic, Lester mentioned that all military bases, and many states in the U.S., require bicycle helmets to be properly worn and fastened, and for cyclists to ride with—not against—the flow of traffic.
“In comparison, all naval facilities do not allow skateboards or self-propelled scooters to be allowed on the streets as a mode of transportation and require a buckled bicycle helmet to be worn while in motion,” Lester warned. “These requirements are a part of risk management with hopes to avoid an accident and personal protection equipment is there to offer some additional level of protection.”
Lester went on to explain the dangers of driving while under the influence (DUI), detailing a total of 12 offences that occurred during 2021.
“If you are planning to drink alcohol, just don’t drive,” warned Lester. “Call a taxi, or a friend who is not already inebriated. Take their keys or let them stay at your home. Payable fines off-base for DUI accidents can range from over 2-years in prison and up to, and sometimes over, $10,000. Don’t put yourself and others in that kind of danger.”
Hoping to further spread awareness for pedestrian and vehicular safety, a collaborative street safety fair between all of the command’s safety offices on base was held in November. During the event, personal protective equipment was displayed with proper-wear demonstrations, a vehicle parking course allowed visitors to practice safe driving techniques, and members of the Japanese Police and Safety community gave presentations for off-base educational purposes.
Capt. Rich Jarrett, CFAY’s commanding officer also made an appearance on the roadways, offering corrective tips to pedestrians and passersby in order to help educate the necessity of street safety.
“With up to 26,000 people accessing CFAY, traffic and pedestrian safety is an important program that facilitates the well-being of the entire community,” said Jarrett. “Periodically, these campaigns serve to educate and re-enforce installation policies in a population that is ever-changing as Sailors and their families rotate to-and-from their assignments in Yokosuka.”
For more than 75 years, CFAY has provided, maintained, and operated base facilities and services in support of the U.S. 7th Fleet’s forward deployed naval forces, tenant commands, and thousands of military and civilian personnel and their families.
| Date Taken: | 11.15.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 11.15.2021 00:07 |
| Story ID: | 409286 |
| Location: | FPO, KANAGAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 248 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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