Cell phone policy changes New Year’s Day Published Dec. 30, 2008 By Tech. Sgt. Cortchie Welch Academy Public Affairs U. S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Talking on a cell phone while behind the wheel? Don't do it with a hand-held device while driving on the Academy. Beginning Jan. 1, Academy motorists will lose their driving privileges for a full week if pulled over by security personnel for using hand-held cell phones while operating a vehicle on base. Academy senior leadership recently approved a new policy banning drivers from talking on their phone without a hands-free device such as a headset or speaker. The new policy includes an immediate seven-day suspension of base driving privileges for any driver not adhering to the new regulation. It applies universally to anyone who operates a vehicle on base, including military members, civilians, contractors and family members. "The welfare and safety of both our military and civilian community is extremely important to the overall success of the Academy mission," said Col. Jimmy McMillian, 10th Air Base Wing commander. "The use of cell phones significantly impairs driver awareness and impedes one's ability to recognize emergency signals, sirens, actions by other drivers, as well as his or her immediate surroundings." Among other trends, the policy was approved based on the latest statistics circulated by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, which indicated approximately 25 percent of all motor vehicle accidents can be attributed to driver inattention or distraction. "As a general rule, drivers should make every effort to move to a safe place off the road before using a cell phone," said Tim Lujan, occupational safety specialist with the Academy Safety Office.