Buckle up, hang up

Buckle up

Tech. Sgt. Christopher Blasengame, 21st Space Wing Safety Office ground safety apprentice, conducts a seatbelt survey Jan. 28 at the corner of Peterson Boulevard and Paine Street on Peterson Air Force Base. Tech. Sgt. Eric Seilaff, 21st Safety Office noncommissioned officer in charge of space safety, was on the opposite corner, and together they surveyed more than 300 motorists. The safety office will conduct weekly surveys over the next month, in preparation of the 21st Space Wing’s upcoming Operational Readiness Inspection and Unit Compliance Inspection. (U.S. Air Force photo/Monica Mendoza)

Published Feb. 1, 2011
By Monica Mendoza
21st Space Wing Public Affairs staff writer

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- On a recent Friday afternoon, more than 300 motorists drove through the intersection of Peterson Boulevard and Paine Street during a 20-minute span.

Six of them were not wearing a seatbelt and one of them was chatting away on a cellular phone.

That's bad, said safety experts from the 21st Space Wing Safety Office.

On Peterson Air Force Base, every motorist and their passengers should wear a seatbelt. Equally important, drivers should not be talking on a cell phone without a hands free device or texting.

"Along with seatbelts we are also looking at motorcycle riders," said Tech. Sgt. Eric Seilaff, 21st Space Wing Safety Office noncommissioned officer in charge of space safety.

On base, motorcycle riders need to wear pants, helmets, sturdy footwear and gloves. And, their jackets should be highly visible, like an orange vest.

In an upcoming Operational Readiness Inspection and Unit Compliance Inspection, the U.S. Air Force Space Command Inspector General expects 100 percent compliance with these rules, said Tech. Sgt. Christopher Blasengame, 21st SW Safety Office ground safety apprentice.

In the recent spot check, Sergeants Blasengame and Seilaff didn't hand out tickets or flag down violators. They will, however, share the information with unit safety representatives, who will take the data and remind everyone - military, civilian and contractors - to comply with the driving rules.

Safety office officials will conduct spot checks every week until the ORI, which is scheduled for Feb. 27 to March 21. However, motorists should be in compliance with the driving rules at all times, Sergeant Blasengame said.

"We have been hovering at 95 percent compliance," Sergeant Blasengame said. "We are trying to meet a 100 percent compliance rate."