AFSPC announces safety survey results Published March 29, 2010 By Mark Pannell Air Force Space Command Directorate of Safety PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- In late December 2009, Air Force Space Command asked all military and civilian employees to participate in the Air Force Cultural Assessment Safety Tool survey focusing on automobile and motorcycle operations safety (AFCAST), which is a survey focusing on automobile and motorcycle operations safety. "We had a phenomenal response," said Col. Thomas Peppard, AFSPC director of Safety. "Thanks to everyone who participated, giving the command an abundance of valuable information that leaders can use to improve safety programs." About 86 percent of personnel responded to the automobile survey and 90 percent responded to the motorcycle survey. The data collected from the AFCAST is designed to help commanders and directors tailor their safety programs. All AFSPC leaders were briefed on the results of the survey. Some key positive and negative statistics the AFCAST revealed are: Automobile positives: 95 percent of drivers report they are wearing seatbelts. These respondents also report they insist that front seat passengers wear seatbelts. As well, they do not drink and drive, they do not wear headphones while driving and they use the proper child restraints. Automobile negatives: Many respondents report they still use cell phones and smart phones while operating a vehicle and many continue to exceed the posted speed limits and accelerate through yellow lights. Respondents also noted that they fail to get adequate rest, and when they work long hours, they make long drives on the same day. Motorcycle positives: 95 percent of respondents say they wear helmets. These respondents insist that their passengers wear a helmet. Also, they do not drink and ride and they do not allow peer pressure to influence them to take greater risks. Motorcycle negatives: Respondents report they do not believe leaders and supervisors show support for motorcycle safety programs. They also do not believe motorcycle programs are well managed nor that base safety programs or supervisors assisted them in identifying or reducing risks associated with operating a motorcycle. With the AFCAST results in mind, AFSPC leaders have identified five goals targeted at reducing vehicle operator risk: 1. Eliminate the use of cell phones or smart phones while operating a vehicle on base. 2. Make operators more aware of reducing their speed limit according to road conditions. 3. Communicate more often with motorcyclists, particularly sport bike riders. 4. Educate underground riders who do not follow AFI requirements and notify their commanders if riders continue to disregard these requirements. 5. Introduce supervisors to the Air Force motorcycle program and involve them at the unit level. Strategies are being implemented to reach those who are still driving or riding at risk. 1. "We Care" vehicle checks for cell phone and seatbelt violations will be encouraged at the unit level. 2. The use of the Travel Risk Planning System will be promoted to help Airmen anticipate travel risk. 3. Emphasis will be placed on accountability for "reckless operation of vehicles." The Air Force Safety Center instituted an Air Force-wide publicity campaign which addresses many issues related to driving a vehicle or riding a motorcycle. The Spring Spike Focus Campaign runs through May 23. Motorists and motorcycle operators can expect commanders to ask them to retake the automobile and motorcycle surveys in the summer in order to gauge the effectiveness of individual unit safety program countermeasures. Personnel are asked to support local safety programs by completing these surveys. "A healthy safety culture isn't something you attain," said Colonel Peppard. "Only you (Airmen, supervisors and commanders) can continuously nurture this culture of effective risk management." Travelers are encouraged to use TRiPS POV Risk Assessment, a useful trip planning tool when traveling by motorcycle or automobile while on leave, pass or TDY. The TRiPS Assessment is a tool that's available to Airmen to help measure the relative risk that may be experienced during a trip and provides basic driving directions. Information on TRiPS can be found on the Air Force Ground Safety Portal page. (Editor's note: The 21st Space Wing Safety Office will be conducting a wing level AFCAST survey in August to gauge effectiveness of individual unit safety program countermeasures at all organizational levels. Results of this wing level survey will ultimately focus mishap prevention processes and aid wing leadership in risk assessment and intervention strategy development.)