Scott initiates DoD cell phone policy Published April 3, 2006 By Senior Airman Rhina Portillochacon 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- The 375th Security Forces Squadron will implement the Department of Defense cell phone policy at Scott Air Force Base effective April 1. The new policy states that installation vehicle operators will not use cell phones unless the vehicle is safely parked or unless they are using a hands-free device. Along with cell phones, the use of headphones, earphones or other listening devices, except for hands-free, while operating a vehicle is prohibited. According to the policy, “the use of those devices impairs driving and masks or prevents recognition of emergency signals, alarms, announcements, the approach of vehicles and human speech.” The policy, which went into effect at the DoD level in January, was put on hold at Scott. “This regulation was developed based on information from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which studied driving distractions as the cause of motor vehicle accidents,” said John Seibert, assistant for safety, health and fire protection for DoD, in a press release for Armed Forces Press Service. “The study found that cell phone use is the fastest growing and most visible distraction that leads to accidents.” Col. Raymond Rottman, 375th Airlift Wing commander, has directed a grace period, April 1 to 15, when only warnings will be given. Violators will be cited and assessed three points against their base driving privileges beginning April 16. Scott members who don’t already own a hands-free device, might find this payday a good time to invest in one. Local stores, including the Base Exchange kiosks, offer products that meet the minimum requirement: keeping the driver’s hands on the steering wheel. Depending on a person’s needs and wants, hands-free devices range from $9.99 for a single ear plug to $119 for an advanced car cell phone system which plugs into the car dash and turns a cell phone into a speaker phone, with recording capability. Even fancier products are available from some cell phone companies which carry brands of eye glasses with wire-free cell phone connections.