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USAF safety campaign kicks off holiday season

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jonathan Bass
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Red and blue lights streak across the sky as the howl of a siren rings through the night. The soft hum of a phone's vibration harmonizes in the chorus of chaos as first responders clamor to rescue life from the jaws of death.

Between 2012 and 2013, more than 13,000 people were killed because of distracted or impaired driving due to technology or alcohol, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association.

The Air Force's Quest for Zero campaign aims to bring that number down to zero, said Staff Sgt. Jeffery Wood, 20th Fighter Wing ground safety technician.

For fiscal year 2016, the Air Force Safety Center began their annual Quest for Zero campaign with this year's theme, The Fatal Four. Over the four quarters of FY16, safety offices around the Air Force will feature tips discussing four distinct safety issues: distracted or impaired driving, personal protective equipment, back safety, and fatigue.

Distracted or impaired driving is the focus for October through December.

"There is an unfortunate abundance of real-world examples which highlight a range of potentially devastating outcomes of performing actions that draw a driver's attention from the traffic environment," said Wood. "Making this choice to identify risky behavior, and taking steps to reduce or eliminate unnecessary distractions is a simple and effective way to reduce the likelihood of experiencing one of these outcomes."

Bill Parsons, Air Force chief of occupational safety, wrote in a kickoff letter, "Every Airman can make a difference in their (safety) and the safety of their wingman. When Airmen embrace the Quest for Zero motto - my job, my life, my choice - they are, in a real way, fulfilling their commitment to mission success."

When talking about accomplishing the mission, safety is the first priority. Being a safe driver means devoting full attention to the car and road. Distraction has no place behind the wheel, said Wood.

"I encourage everyone to take a look at themselves this fall," said Wood. "Take an honest approach to identify room for personal improvement in reducing roadway distractions. I personally enjoy modern communication technology as much as anyone, but I believe most people will find that the quality of life that this technology brings will not suffer by putting the gadgets down while devoting focus on happenings in the roadway ahead."

In the symphony of sound created by 21st century technology, chirps, chimes, and chatter of devices will echo into eternity. To be safe behind the wheel this holiday season, keep distractions to a minimum, and instead absorb the melody of motion made by automobiles.