Action Line: Gate guards and winter road safety.

  • Published
  • By Col. John T. Quintas
  • 48th Fighter Wing commander
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  
COMPLAINT:

On my way into work a few weeks ago via Gate 2, I was following a vehicle that hadn't cleared his windshield; he had two holes in the ice on his windshield. While in line to show my ID, I noticed other cars hadn't cleared their windshield either. I asked the TSgt that checked my ID why he let them on with peepholes and he said "What?". I explained the windshields weren't clear and isn't it a law that they are cleared? He then said "Somebody off base should be telling them". I then pointed out that they check the road tax, so why not point out a safety hazard too and he replied, "Have a nice day", sarcastically!

I work on base so use Gate 2 daily, and I have to say it infuriates me the way the gate guards react sometimes. Why can't they point out to people that they have lights out on the vehicle, to turn off fog lights etc? It's illegal to drive in traffic with fog lights on in the UK. If you are going to enforce one UK law, such as road tax, then you should enforce others too, especially when they concern road user safety.

RESPONSE:

Thank you for making the safety of our personnel a high personal priority and bringing your observations to my attention. My expectation is that everyone assigned to, or living in our community, takes vehicular safety very seriously. Our gate guards primary responsibility is to protect the base. Our Airmen at the gates also enforce safety standards across the installation. In the past, our gate guards have pulled over vehicles upon entry to base because of visibility issues.

We will continue to reinforce vehicular safety across the installation and especially at our entry points.

I challenge the entire Liberty Team (our Airmen, civilians, and families) to ensure they prepare their vehicles the same way they prepare for our mission...100% focused and 100% dedicated to doing it right and in a safe manner.

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