Security Forces take on DUI’s

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Christopher Boitz
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Christmas and New Years are known for their traditions of exchanging gifts and celebrating with family and friends; spreading joy and good will towards others. It's also known for another thing - an increased rate of people driving under the influence.

According to the Alaska Highway Safety Office, there were 4,810 DUI's in 2008. Alaska ranks close to the top for DUI fatalities per capita, and each year between Thanksgiving and New Years day those numbers grow in size.

In an effort to ensure that everyone traveling on base is safe and posturing a DUI free environment, the North Pole Police Department teamed up the 354th Security Forces Squadron at Eielson Air Force Base to provide field sobriety test training to the patrolmen.

"The training is a national certification used by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration," said Sgt. Kevin Nelson, a North Pole Police Department Patrol Sergeant. "It's a basic course on how to process someone under the influence of alcohol or drugs."

The course gives Security Forces members the fundamentals of assessing an influenced driver's behavior, such as swerving, speeding, running through stoplights and stop signs.

"Once we decide to initiate a stop, we look for indicators like speech, odor, and dexterity," said Sergeant Nelson. "If the driver is exhibiting one or more of those indicators negatively, we'll begin a field sobriety test."

Field sobriety tests focuses on three main assessments -- an eye test, a walk and turn test, and the standing leg test; however, more tests may be used to determine if the driver is impaired.

Each assessment helps reveal a driver's mental and physical ability to comprehend and execute the specified tasks; the same tasks needed to operate a vehicle.

Having more SF members certified translates to more members having the knowledge of how to stop a DUI in progress before someone gets injured or killed.

"The more SF members we have trained and certified will help us cut down on DUI's," said Senior Airman Corey Davis, 354th SFS. "The more people see us driving around and being proactive at night will hopefully make them not want to risk getting a DUI."

The long term effects of the beneficial training could mean less Airmen and civilians willing to take the risk of driving under the influence.

Between 2003 and 2009, DUI related deaths in Alaska slipped down from 37 to 14.

"Fourteen deaths might not sound like very many, but it is," said Airman Davis. "It's important that drivers are responsible when they decide to drink. Having a plan and knowing when to use it is important."

The Air Force has also utilized 0-0-1-3, zero drinks for underage people, zero DUI's, one drink per hour, three drinks per night, as a way to cut down on DUI's. However, it is not recommended to ever drive after drinking at all.

"Avenues like Airmen Against Drunk Driving, a wingman, taking a cab, or calling your First Sergeant are options each Airman should use if their plan doesn't go accordingly," he added.

While the SF members in the class learned important lessons on how to identify an impaired driver, it's also important to prevent DUI' from occurring by making Airmen aware of the consequences.

"Getting a DUI can jeopardize your career," said Airman Davis. "You'll lose your license, face up to three days in jail, be prohibited from driving on base for a year and could have a breathalyzer installed in your vehicle."