Photo By Cpl. Alison Dostie | To combat speeding and reckless driving on base, U.S. Marine Brig. Gen. Jason G....... read more read more
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So far in 2021, there have been just over 1,100 speeding infractions and five reckless driving citations on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California. Vehicle accidents and speeding are dangerous to drivers aboard the installation as well as off-base. The risks and effects do not change when coming through the gates of any installation.
To combat speeding and reckless driving on base, the commanding general of Marine Corps Installations West, MCB Camp Pendleton, signed a policy letter Nov. 19 on traffic enforcement, and put into motion a new campaign, known as Operation Slow Down.
“We did a survey on the number of traffic violations for each installation in the MCI-West area of responsibility,” said Gordon Broussard, the law enforcement program manager for MCI-West. “The results showed that Camp Pendleton had a problem with speeders, not due to any inaction of (the Provost Marshal’s Office), but due to Camp Pendleton having long stretches of roads between the different areas, and having a greater daily population. The other installations are much more compressed, which doesn’t allow an individual to obtain high rates of speed compared to stretches of road such as Vandergrift or Basilone roads.”
As part of Operation Slow Down, military law enforcement and safety officials united with base leadership to develop a long-term campaign to address the safety of Camp Pendleton’s roads. In addition to more enforcement, the base will invest in traffic control measures and technology, to include the purchase of additional radar devices for base law enforcement. Extended speed bumps, known as speed tables, will also be installed strategically throughout the base. Safety officials will also survey Pendleton roads to determine where changes can be made to speed zones, hazard markings and lane structure to curb speeding more effectively. While the changes and improvements will roll out over time, the intent is to have an enduring impact and decrease speeding on base.
“By purchasing and using new equipment and increasing consequences for speeding, we want Operation Slow Down to protect people, save lives, and improve operational readiness and the good order and discipline aboard the base,” said U.S. Marine Col. John Black, the commanding officer of Security and Emergency Services Battalion, MCB Camp Pendleton.
The most immediate impact of Operation Slow Down is the increased consequences of traffic infractions. Once drivers cross a certain threshold, any speeding citation will result in the suspension of on-base driving privileges. The length of suspension varies depending on the speed and the location of the incident. All moving violations of 16+ mph over the posted speed limit will result in six points on your driving record and will also require remedial driving training.
Speeding 16-20 mph over the posted speed limit is a three-month suspension of on-base driving privileges. Speeding 21-30 mph over the posted speed limit is a six-month suspension. Going 31 mph or more over the posted speed limit, as well as street racing, is a 12-month suspension.
Speeding in construction, school, or housing areas will now have harsher consequences, with three-month suspensions for 5-10 mph over the posted speed limit and six-month suspensions beginning at 11 mph over.
Once cited, the driver must appear at Traffic Court with a senior member of their chain of command, regardless of rank. The command representative must then provide a copy of the suspension of driving privileges to the driver’s commanding officer if deemed necessary by the installation’s Magistrate’s Office. A commanding officer can’t authorize a service member to operate a government vehicle if their driving privileges are suspended. Commands will also be responsible for investigating any accidents involving a government vehicle. For example, suppose it is found that a traffic regulation violation caused the accident. In that case, the investigation will be forwarded to the commanding general and include a recommendation whether or not to suspend the driving privileges of the driver and/or any passengers in the vehicle.
Base leaders’ aim is that Operation Slow Down will raise awareness for both the individual service members and unit commanders. The dangerous outcomes from reckless driving can have long-lasting impacts for more than just the driver.
“Please obey the speed limits and drive safely; we don’t want to see you, your loved ones, or anyone else aboard base killed or seriously injured,” said Black, when asked what he would say to every driver on base. “When that happens, you harm yourself, your family, your unit, and the Marine Corps’ operational readiness. Don’t be in a hurry to die.”
| Date Taken: | 12.07.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 12.08.2021 11:59 |
| Story ID: | 410681 |
| Location: | CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 3,990 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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