Commentary -- Summer safety - Start with changing one bad driving habit

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Ellen L. Hatfield
  • 349th Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  "In every vehicle mishap, there are actually three collisions. There is the collision with a fixed object (like another car, a tree or wall); the collision of your body hitting the steering wheel or something else, and the collision of your heart hitting your ribcage."

I think it's appropriate to kick off our favorite Air Force season - the proverbial "101 Critical Days of Summer" - with changing a bad habit with something we all do daily. It starts with our regular driving commute to Travis Air Force Base.

Before you brand me as an old curmudgeon, I would like to state for the record: As the proud owner of a red Pontiac G6 GT hardtop convertible, I will admit I like to zip along, top down, with my favorite tunes blasting away. Ah, Northern California, just made for it.

I'd like to add that in more than 43 years of driving, I've only had two speeding tickets (the first, in 1981, was $25!), and I've not had an accident since I was in my twenties. I can bet, from seeing some of the driving behavior I do every day, not many of you can come close to that record.

Doing research for an article, I attended the "Alive at 25" course offered here, which targets the most at risk drivers, age 16 to 25. It was interesting and eye-opening, even to someone who is 59 years old. I learned from discussions with the young Airmen in the course as well. I can tell you from my daily commute, there are a lot more Airmen who should take this course.

My classmates told me, in general, they believe young drivers had more accidents and moving violations, due to inexperience, thrill seeking, poor planning, risk taking, wanting to party and have fun, and impatience. I can attest to that.

Driving the lovely country roads that take me in the North Gate, I get passed where there is a double yellow line, I watch people roll through stop signs, and I've sped up to 80 miles per hour (I confess) to try and get the license plate number of that person who passed me in such a hurry. In every instance, those people were either Travis Airmen or civilians. In most states, if you're driving 30 miles an hour over the speed limit, you can end up in jail, with your car impounded. It's called reckless driving, folks.

My classmates also told me the reason for their bad behavior is they feel indestructible and invincible; they think they know everything; they think they're quicker and more skillful in youth. And they just want to get where they are going. Add to that: they need to constantly be telling someone what they're doing, via cell phone conversations, or texts.

Not only should everyone on this base know the California laws for the road, we all know that ALL Air Force installations have a hands-free policy. Yet, every day when I'm out and about on base, I see blatant disregard for this policy. My husband, who is crankier than I, is fond of yelling at these offenders, who often give him a rude gesture, or a deer in the headlights look.

We're touted about integrity every day, that in or out of uniform, inside and outside the gate, we represent the U.S. Air Force. We should all act like someone is watching us. Integrity is not on a sliding scale, you either have it, or you don't. Don't throw it out the window when you slide behind the wheel.