Headphones not allowed on, near roadways Published Aug. 20, 2007 By Corey Dahl 21st Space Wing Public Affairs PETERSON AFB, Colo. -- Running can help improve your health, but running with headphones on might be hazardous to it. Base officials are reminding walkers, runners, bicyclists and even drivers that using headphones on roadways or on routes that cross roadways is not permitted here. Headphones are allowed on trails or routes that don't cross streets, such as the jogging trail and the loop behind the gym. The reason for the distinction? Safety. Tom Quinn with the 21st Space Wing Safety Office said headphones can distract people from what they're doing. They also make it hard to hear potential threats, he said. "It masks the direction of sounds," Mr. Quinn said. "If you're jogging on the roadway and a car comes up behind you and beeps its horn, you can't hear it." Headphones are prohibited on roadways at all Air Force installations, but prohibiting headphones on routes that cross roadways is a regulation specific to the 21st Space Wing. Airmen used to be able to use headphones on routes that crossed roadways as long as they removed the earpieces when they crossed the street. Safety discovered that wasn't happening, though, so the rules were changed a few years ago. "It's human nature," said Darron Haughn, also with the safety office. "People forget to take them off when they cross the roadway." Anyone caught using headphones in areas where they're not permitted can be stopped by security forces. Most violators will receive just a warning, but repeat offenders could get anything from a ticket to their driving privileges revoked. The real punishment, though, often isn't handed down by security forces. An Airman jogging with headphones on base two years ago was hit and dragged by a car he did not hear coming. He escaped with minor injuries - and a newfound fear of crossing the street - but he was lucky, Mr. Haughn said. "Accidents involving headphones don't happen a lot, but when they do, the severity of it is life and death," he said. "A lot of people don't survive something like that."