Security forces: Traffic scheme not an option

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. J. LaVoie
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  The 48th Fighter Wing has instituted a temporary traffic plan on the base as a result of the construction of a new gate 2 located on Lord's Walk. The plan includes rerouting traffic off of Lord's Walk onto Exeter Drive until the new gate construction is completed in January 2008.

Another part of the plan is the prohibition of right turns onto Lord's Walk from Radcliffe Road during peak traffic hours. This ban on right turns is between the hours of 6:30 and 8:30 a.m. and again from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on the weekdays to help ease the traffic both on Lord's Walk and Radcliffe Road. Vehicles during this period must turn left, go thorough the roundabout and reenter the base at the existing Gate 2.

"Unfortunately, the base community has not been abiding by the new right turn policy which has been in affect since May," said Chief Master Sgt Bob Henson, 48th Security Forces Manager.

During two different traffic enforcement periods, the 48th Security Forces Squadron has issued 65 tickets to base members for turning right on Radcliffe Road during the forbidden hours.

"This is only a temporary situation until January, when the new gate is built," said Chief Henson. "The way the roads are now is different than how they will look in the future when the construction is completed."

Until the roads change there is a 5 foot by 4 foot yellow sign reminding drivers to turn left and exit the base during the specified hours.

"Because of the morning and the afternoon rush hour traffic, by turning right you're backing up Radcliffe Road and Lord's Walk and raising the potential for a T-bone accident," said Chief Henson.

During recent traffic enforcement, Chief Henson has witnessed two such near misses. "This new traffic plan is for the safety of our base community. It is a very simple measure to ensure we reduce accidents at that intersection during peak traffic hours," said Chief Henson.

Getting a ticket will cost points on an individuals driver's license. If enough points are points are accrued, a person could loose their on-base driving privileges. The loss of their military form, could in turn, cost the driver their U.K. driving privileges.