Kicking off the new year…safely

  • Published
  • By Brig. Gen. Robert P. Steel
  • 48th Fighter Wing commander
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  Welcome to 2007, Team Liberty! My wife, Dee, and I wish you and your family a very happy new year. As with most New Year's greetings, however, the inevitable question arises, "What's your New Year's resolution?" For the 48th Fighter Wing, I've set three resolutions, and I need your help in ensuring their execution and success.

First, as our Safety Day last week looked back on 2006, it showed we have much to work on in the new year. With three active duty motor vehicle fatalities from RAF Lakenheath in 2006, I know every one reading this will join me in resolving to eliminate this statistic. I want zero fatalities in 2007. To do this, I need every Liberty Wing member committed to vigilance in their driving decision making.

Although everyone has heard this before, it's not getting through to everyone, so I'm repeating it again. Slow down, drive for conditions and think very carefully before passing. Do not drive if fatigued or after even one alcoholic drink. Check the weather before driving and if questionable, consider waiting an hour or so or drive with extreme caution. Do not overcorrect if your wheel drops off the road, simply ease off the gas and slowly regain control back into your lane. Take every precaution you can to ensure you, your friends and your family make it safely to your destination.

Next, I want our alcohol-related incidents cut in half in 2007. Last year, we had 33 ARIs - from DUIs and vandalism to fights and sexual assault. Bottom line, any ARI is unacceptable. If you can't drink alcohol responsibly, then don't drink it at all. Responsible drinking, as Airman ZOT has educated us on, is one drink an hour and no more than three drinks a night. This does not mean you can get behind the wheel if you follow this rule, either. It assumes if you have even one drink, you have a plan for a safe ride home, either from a designated driver or taxi, or will stay put at the place you're partying at.

However, if you follow Airman ZOT, most ARIs won't happen. You won't get so drunk that you'll think its o.k. to punch the guy sitting next to you in the pub. You won't be too drunk to realize you're putting yourself in a compromising situation letting a stranger, or someone who had too much to drink, take you home. With three drinks or less, you'll most likely follow through on your plan for a safe ride home or still have enough logic to stay put for the night at your friend's house. To reiterate - don't set yourself up for failure by drinking irresponsibly and increasing your chances at committing, or being a victim of, an ARI.

Finally, I ask every Team Liberty member to resolve to be a better, more aggressive wingman. Most of you out there are already excellent wingmen, supporting your friends and co-workers as designated drivers, volunteering with Airman Against Drunk Driving, and removing friends and family members who may have had too much to drink from potentially dangerous or embarrassing situations. In addition, as wingmen, many of you have encouraged your spouses to slow down on slick roads, ensured your children buckled their seatbelts and helped plan vacations and travel in a safe manner.

Keep it up, and share your commitment to keeping our Airman, your friends and family safe with others. If each one of us spoke up one more time this year when a friend, co-worker or family member was about to do something risky, I have no doubt we can reach our wing resolutions to eliminate fatalities on the road and chop our ARIs in half.

The commitment to our families and service means we all must take these resolutions seriously. Stay vigilant on the roads, drink responsibly, and take your wingman duties seriously. With everyone following these three, simple goals, I have no doubt we can sail through 2007 safely, ensuring success in executing our Air Force mission.