Do you text while you drive? Not anymore

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman R. Michael Longoria
  • 319th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Effective Oct. 1, all federal employees, including Airmen and civilians here, are prohibited from text messaging while driving government-owned vehicles or while driving on official business.

The move comes more than three years after the Air Force implemented a policy to prevent drivers from talking on their cell phones while driving unless they use a hands-free device such as a Bluetooth connection.

In an executive order President Obama signed Oct. 1, he states, "With nearly 3 million civilian employees, the Federal Government should demonstrate leadership in reducing the dangers of text messaging while driving."

The executive order also says the ban will help save lives, reduce injuries and set an example for State and local governments, private employers and individual drivers.

"Driving a vehicle requires your full attention," said Lt. Col. Darin C. Driggers, 319th Air Refueling Wing safety chief. "Text messaging is a distraction; drivers have to take their eyes off the road and at least one hand off the steering wheel, a danger to themselves and others."

The colonel added that there is data available suggesting cell phone use, whether talking or texting, slows a driver's reaction time the same as if they were drunk.

In 2006, a University of Utah study found that motorists who talked on either a handheld or hands-free cell phone drove slightly slower than when they weren't using a cell phone, were 9 percent slower to hit the brakes and were 19 percent slower to resume normal speed after braking and were more likely to crash. Motorists who drove at the 0.08 percent blood-alcohol level almost had identical statistics.

"I think it is important to make that connection," said Colonel Driggers. "We don't tolerate drunk driving and for the same reasons, we shouldn't tolerate the use of cell phones while driving."

Anyone caught texting or talking without a headset while driving on base will receive a citation and possible loss of base driving privileges.