News

Winter driving safety demands joint effort

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Bryan Hull
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  Personnel assigned to the department of emergency services on base responded to more than 20 motor-vehicle collisions, including six rollover accidents, from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. Jan. 6 here.

Reserve Airmen from the 446th Airlift Wing can minimize some of inclement weather driving with proper preparation and staying in tune with current weather conditions.

With the freezing weather, Airmen and Soldiers driving on and off base need to adjust their driving to account with the environmental conditions, said Lt. Gen. Stephen Lanza, I Corps commander here.

Once the roads begin to freeze, driving becomes very treacherous, especially in foggy or dark conditions. Motorists need to slow down and obey posted speed limits.

“Defensive driving is important,” said Senior Master Sgt. Kenneth Mazzuca, 446th Security Forces Squadron Operations superintendent. “Drivers need to adjust their speeds while driving to the current weather conditions and give themselves extra room to stop in bad weather.”

Be careful when driving through shaded areas during freezing temperatures, Mazzuca said. Even if the temperature rises above freezing, sometimes the ice on the roadway will linger.

“Make sure your vehicle is in good working order,” he added. “Check equipment like your brakes and windshield wipers before heading out. You should also know your own driving abilities and limitations.”

According to Lanza, an additional area of concern is the number of near-miss accidents between motorists and pedestrians on base.

“During this time of year most physical training is typically done in the dark,” Lanza said. “Combine this with fog and icy roadways and it is nearly impossible to see or react quickly to people in the roadway, even if they are wearing a reflective belt.”

Major Raymond Schierhoff, 446th SFS commander, added that drivers aren’t the only people who should exercise caution.

“Pedestrians should also be defensive,” he said. “Don’t assume vehicles can see you before crossing the street.”

In summary, Lanza said safety is an individual and team effort 24/7.

“Safety is both an organizational and individual responsibility,” he said. “Personnel must accept the responsibility not to put themselves in positions where they become vulnerable. Slow down, plan accordingly, and let’s ensure we get to where we are going safely.”