Security forces cracks down on cell phone use Published June 1, 2007 By Staff Sgt. Francesca Popp 3rd Wing Public Affairs ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- "Hey, Mary! It's Jane. How are you?," said the lady who was using her cell phone to make the call. Jane carried on with her conversation while she was driving and noticed shining red and blue lights pulling up behind her vehicle. Puzzled, Jane asked the security forces member why she was being pulled over. The Airmen told Jane she violated an Air Force regulation. The regulation, AFI 31-218(I) Motor Vehicle Traffic Supervision, specifically prohibits people who drive on a military installation from using cell phones unless the vehicle is safely parked or unless they are using a hands-free device. This policy went into effect in March 2006 and is still enforced. People caught using a cell phone without a hands-free device loose on-base driving privileges for 30 days. The members of the 3rd Security Force Squadron have suspended driving privileges for 46 people since the policy began and have issued 18 suspensions in the last six months. "We are constantly issuing driving suspensions due to this infraction," said 1st Lt. Jason Puleri, 3rd SFS. "It's becoming a real issue." Cell phone use impairs a person's driving ability and masks or prevents them from recognizing emergency signals, alarms, announcements, approaching vehicles and human speech. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, distracted driving contributes to 25 percent of all traffic accidents. "These accidents have a serious negative impact on our families, unit morale and combat readiness," General Paul Hester, Pacific Air Forces commander, wrote in a policy letter dated January 2006 barring cell phones without a hands-free device while driving. The lieutenant said security forces members remain vigilant watching for people who violate the policy. The next time Jane went to use her cell phone while driving, she ensured she used a hands-free device.