HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah – In an effort to improve safety, as well as gather information and identify the issues of drivers on base who were failing to follow the posted speed limits, the Wing Safety Office joined forces with the 75th Security Forces Squadron with an increased traffic enforcement and speeding crackdown.
The effort was a result of recommendations made by the Traffic Safety Coordination Group, which monitors base traffic and works to ensure the base is a safe environment for pedestrians and motorists.
“With incidents and near-miss events on a steep rise, it warranted the effort to enforce our posted speed limits,” said Maj. Paul Dinkins, 75th SFS commander.
Dinkins said following the rules would do more to increase safety than any other program and at no cost, but there hasn’t been significant changes in driving behavior.
“As an installation, we have not seen our base driving population take the necessary steps,” Dinkins said. “While this is a generalization, the overall indications show that there was a significant problem that had existed for too long.”
The traffic enforcement and speeding crackdown focused on high-risk areas, such as school zones, gates and crosswalks. During one day, the base Defenders stopped 585 vehicles for enforcement actions, such as broken headlights or taillights, failure to stop, and speeding. The Defenders issued 85 citations resulting in $8,610 in fines, which are levied in U.S. District Court and go to the U.S. Treasury.
“The results for the installation were unacceptable in both scope and severity,” Dinkins said. “We all need to remember that driving on base is a privilege. The rules are intended to help ensure the safety of all personnel, especially the large population of pedestrians we have crossing busy streets.”
In addition to asking drivers to be more cautious and mindful of traffic laws on base, pedestrians are asked to remember to wear lightly covered clothing or reflective belts when crossing busy streets and to stick to crosswalks.
If you have questions about this or any other installation safety concerns, call 801-777-SAFE (7233).