Pedestrians, drivers adhere to safety Published May 26, 2009 By Senior Airman Alyssa C. Miles 2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Drivers and pedestrians alike should adhere to all safety measures to ensure dangerous situations are avoided at all costs. Not yielding to pedestrian crossings and alert route lights are two of the most common violations on base. According to Willie Larry, ground safety specialist, a pedestrian-crossing is an area where drivers should use extreme caution, as pedestrians may have a false sense of security. "Pedestrians always seem to think drivers see them," he said. "In many cases, drivers are doing something else, like turning up the radio, eating or lighting a cigarette." Still, drivers are expected to constantly be aware of the conditions surrounding them, as pedestrians are not the only roadside factor to be on the lookout for. During the activation of the red alert route lights, all drivers are to immediately move to the side of the road and yield to alert crews. The lights are located at the intersections along Curtis Road, Wilbur Wright Drive, Lindbergh Road, Davis Avenue and Douhet Drive and are only activated as directed for local tests or when real-world or exercise alert crews are required to "fast-ride" to their aircraft. According to Master Sgt. Theresa Greene, 2d Bomb Wing command post console operations non-commissioned officer in charge, the alert route lights are another mode of safety for base drivers. "Since Barksdale has a mission to support alert crews, alert route lighting is required," she said. "Crews are sometimes released to locations away from the alert facility and the notifications system is in place to alert the base populace that an alert response is in progress." Drivers can begin driving when the lights stop flashing, but are warned to proceed with caution. Not adhering to these rules can have consequences, such as points against one's on-base driving privileges. Barksdale Point System If 12 points have been assessed within 12 months, driving privileges will be revoked for one year. Two points: · Failure to properly restrain children in a child restraint system while moving, when child is four years of age or younger. · Operating an unsafe vehicle · Speed too fast for conditions · Speed too slow, causing potential safety hazard Three points: · One to 10 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. · Operating a radar detection devices to indicate the presence of speed recording instruments or to transmit simulated erroneous speed. · Improper turning movements · Wearing of headphones/earphones while driving motor vehicles (two or more wheels) · Improper overtaking Four points: · Failure of operator or occupants to use available restraint system devices while moving · More than 10 but not more than 15 miles per hour over the speed limit · Following too close · Failure to yield the right of way to emergency vehicle · Failure to stop for school bus or school crossing signals · Failure to obey traffic signals or traffic instructions of an enforcement officer or traffic warden · Improper passing · Failure to yield Five points: · More than 15 but not more than 20 miles per hour over the speed limit Six points: · More than 20 miles over the speed limit · Reckless driving · Owner knowingly and willfully permitting a physically impaired person to operate the owner's motor vehicle · Fleeing the scene with property damage only · Speed contests When two or more violations are committed on a single occasion, security forces assess the points for the offense having the greater value.