Security Forces work to make Kirtland streets safer with 'Taking Back Our Roads' campaign

  • Published
  • By Jim Fisher
  • 377th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Concentrated enforcement of traffic laws and DUI checkpoints are featured components of the 377th Security Forces Squadron's "Take Back Our Roads" campaign. After more than 18 months, the program is showing results, with DUI and accident numbers down on base.

From 2013 to 2014, Kirtland has seen a 38 percent (from 55 to 34) reduction in DUIs and a 27 percent (from 128 to 94) reduction in motor vehicle accidents on the installation.

The numbers are an indication that the program is working, according to 377th SFS Commander Maj. Bill Smith, and the benefit in terms of public safety on base are something that officials want more of.

"We started implementing the 'Take Back Our Roads' campaign in May 2013 and we continued it because we were seeing results," he said. "These measures have provided education and deterrence, and we are catching DUIs and other infractions which can lead to vehicle accidents."

The reduction in incidents of driving under the influence also included the number of military members who were arrested for DUI off-base but under the jurisdiction of Kirtland's judge advocate military justice section.

Smith said the overall decrease in accidents and DUIs, even those off base, resulted from people adopting safer driving habits, which is the ultimate goal of "Take Back Our Roads."

"Things that cause vehicle accidents are inattentiveness, speeding, talking on cell phones, rolling through stop signs, running red lights, and not obeying traffic laws. These are the things we see as a primary cause of accidents on base," the major said. "Increased enforcement raises awareness and leads to drivers being more attentive and less likely to violate traffic laws, which are in place to ensure public safety."

While there were no serious injuries resulting from vehicle accidents on Kirtland in 2014, there were several vehicle rollover incidents, resulting from excessive speed and related traffic violations, carrying with them the potential for serious bodily harm or death. This is something that Security Forces is working hard to prevent, Smith said.

"Drivers need to follow the traffic laws. It's safer for pedestrians and it's safer for drivers, and it drives down vehicle accidents," Smith said.

To keep the trend of reduced accidents and DUIs on a downward trajectory, Smith said drivers on Kirtland can now expect periodic enforcement "blitzes" in addition to the DUI checkpoints that have been part of the program since its inception.

While traffic enforcement is conducted continuously, Smith said concentrated periods of enforcement are slated throughout 2015.

"We are targeting high-infraction locations and will pick specific periods where as many as 10 units will be available to stop every single vehicle with an infraction," he said. "This is not only something that eliminates potential hazards on the road during the blitz, but it gets the attention of all drivers, and makes our roads safer overall. We want to keep these rates going down."