Ocean View/NAS Little League: Bull Pen News: Cell Phones on Base
Navy Phases in Cell Phone Driving Restrictions
Commencing on March 1, 2006, drivers on Navy installations throughout the Mid-Atlantic region will no longer be able to use non-hands free cell phones while operating motor vehicles on base. In addition to the restriction on cell phone use, the wearing of any other headphones, earphones, or other listening devices, not to include hearing aids, while operating a motor vehicle on DOD installations is prohibited. The Navy will issue warnings to service members and civilian employees, as well as visitors to the base, who are pulled over for using a non-hands free cell phone while driving. The ban will be implemented in three stages:
Education/Awareness Phase
Enforcement Phase
Penalty Phase
The education/awareness phase began earlier this month. Base motorists, which include military personnel, civilian employees, contractors, vendors and visitors, are being informed about the cell phone restrictions via the local news media, base newspapers, web sites, internal communications channels, signs on base and at the gates.
Commencing March 1, motorists stopped on base for violating the ban will be issued a warning. When the penalty phase begins, at a date to be determined, following March 1, violators will lose three driving points for each offense with a maximum of 12 points accumulated before loss of base driving privileges for one year. The POLICY FOR DISPOSITION OF TRAFFIC VIOLATIONS, CNRMA INST 5560.10 is currently being updated to reflect penalties for non-compliance.
The Navy restrictions follow a Defense Department-wide regulation restricting the use of non-hands free cell phones unless the vehicle is safely parked. The Defense Department developed the regulation based on a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which found cell phone use to be the fastest growing and most visible cause of distracted driving automobile accidents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. WHO DOES THIS POLICY NOT AFFECT?
A1. This policy does not apply to fire & emergency services personnel, emergency medical services personnel, or law enforcement/security personnel while engaged in the performance of regular duties. The policy does not prohibit the use of radios, phones, or headphones that are connected to official radio or vehicle mounted intercom systems in the emergency services vehicles of the aforementioned personnel. However, all emergency vehicle operators shall be aware of the potential for driver distractions, and should avoid use while driving as much as possible.
Q2. DOES THIS POLICY ONLY APPLY TO USE OF CELL PHONES WHILE DRIVING A GOVERNMENT OWNED VEHICLE?
A2. This notice establishes policy for all operators of privately-owned, or governmentowned motor vehicles operating on Navy installations. The policy does not extend to tactical vehicles or to those vehicles that are not typically used for the transport or conveyance of personnel or commercial goods. This policy affects all drivers of motor vehicles on installations with the exception of law enforcement, fire, and security personnel in performance of duties.
Q3. WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES AND WHO DETERMINES THEM?
A3. Violations of this guidance may result in points against base driving privileges and ultimately loss of installation driving privileges for one year. The policy for disposition of traffic violations, CNRMA INST 5560.10 is currently being updated to reflect penalties for non-compliance.
Q4. CAN CELL PHONES BE USED WITH A HANDS-FREE EARPIECE?
A4. No. Earpieces and headphones are not allowed at any time while driving. These prohibitions do not include hearing aids, nor do they negate the requirement for wearing hearing protection where conditions dictate, or when communications-type equipment is being used for official navy business. Hands free phones with a speaker mode or a voice activation mode may be used, but only if the device is not physically manipulated while operating the vehicle.
Q5. DOES THIS POLICY INCLUDE TEXT MESSAGING AND USING THE PICTURE FEATURE OF A CELL PHONE?
A5. Yes. Use of cellular phones or other similar, hand-held audio-visual devices, in any mode, while operating a motor vehicle is hereby prohibited. "other similar, hand-held audio-visual devices" are further described as any audio or visual device that requires both visual inspection and manual contact for operation.
Q6. DOES THE POLICY APPLY TO DRIVERS ONLY?
A6. Yes, passengers may continue to use cell phones or other similar, hand-held audiovisual devices.
Q7. DOES THIS POLICY COVER NAVY FACILITIES/PROPERTY THAT ARE NOT ON AN INSTALLATION? (I.E.: NEX'S, MUSEUMS, ETC. THAT ARE OFF BASE).
A7. Yes. This policy is enforceable on all military installations including navy facilities outside the fence line that are patrolled by navy law enforcement. Base personnel with questions about the new procedures are encouraged to use their chain of command. Vendors, contractors and visitors may contact the installation Security Department for additional information.
OASD/PA POC is Mr. Glenn Flood, Commercial 703-695-6294, DSN 225-6294, EMAIL GLENN.FLOOD@OSD.MIL