1. 1
Do you have questions about Safety? Contact the Installation Safety Office 353-7085/7079
This student was on his way to high school
and was messing with his cell phone.
When he looked back up at the road, he
was heading straight for a telephone pole.
He survived…this time
THE FORT WAINWRIGHT INSTALLATION SAFETY OFFICE
By: Robert Tanner 13 September 2013
Every day, yes, every day I see soldiers, family members, contractors and civilian employees driving
around post talking or texting on their cell phones. Not only is this very dangerous, it is also against
Army and Installation policies. Is it because they are not aware of such information? OR is it that
they don’t care? Is it really that big of a deal? Either way, this should clear up any confusion.
 Talking on a cell phone causes nearly 25% of car accidents.
 A study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Motorists found that
motorists who use cell phones while driving are four times more likely to get into
crashes serious enough to injure themselves.
 In 2002, the Harvard Center for Risk Analysis calculated that 2,600 people die each
year as a result of using cell phones while driving. They estimated that another
330,000 are injured. Ten years later, that number has risen to 5,474 and 448,000
respectively
 The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) found that texting while driving
increased the risk of a crash or near crash by more than 23 times.
 VTTI also found that text messaging resulted in the longest duration of "eyes off road
time" -- 4.6 seconds over a six-second interval. "This equates to a driver
traveling the length of a football field (100 yards) at 55 miles per hour without looking at
the roadway".
 If you injure someone in a vehicle crash due to texting, it is considered a felony
 Over 60 percent of American teens admit to risky driving, and nearly half of those that
admit to risky driving also admit to text messaging behind the wheel.
 In 2010, nearly one in five crashes (18%) in which someone was injured involved
distracted driving. (cell phone, GPS, maps, etc)
A careless driver on a cell phone blazed
through a red light at 55 mph and struck this
drivers door as this car was going 20 mph
attempting to make a left turn towards home.
The car was pushed 40 feet and driver’s neck
was broken in 2 places. She died instantly.
Cell phone user hit this car.

2. 2
Do you have questions about Safety? Contact the Installation Safety Office 353-7085/7079
And in case your life or someone else’s is not enough incentive…
AR 190-5 Chapter 4 paragraph 2: Cell phone policy- all civilian and Soldier vehicle operators on a
DOD installation and operators of Government owned vehicles will not use cell phones unless the
vehicle is safely parked or are using a hands –free device. The wearing of any other portable
headphones, earphones, or other listening devices(except for hands-free cellular phones) while
operation a motor vehicle is prohibited.
FWA Policy letter #30: In accordance with AR 190-5, Chapter 4, paragraph 2 and 32 CFR
634.25(c)(3); Vehicle operators on a DOD installation… Use of those devices impairs driving and
masks or prevents recognition of emergency signals, alarms, announcements, the approach of
vehicles, and human speech. Paragraph 5 of Policy letter states: Effective immediately, operators of
government owned or privately owned vehicles observed violating the conditions set in AR 190-5 and
32 CFR634.25(c)(3), will be subject to a fine of $50…
Whoever is calling will still be there in the few minutes it takes to pull over. If you need to make
a call, pull over. The time it takes to pull over is shorter than the stay in the hospital.
Would you write a letter while driving? Then why would you text a message? It just doesn’t
make sense!
Be safe. Obey the law. Stay off the phone.
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