Check your speed

Published Jan. 17, 2013
By Senior Airman Joel Mease
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- There are consequences for going too fast on the road while deployed.

The host nation has many traffic ordinances put in place for the safety of travelers, and it becomes the responsibility for any service member who drives off the installation to know them.

"Just like in the United States, there is a possibility of being issued a traffic citation for exceeding the speed limit," said Tech. Sgt. Rex Martin, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Force Protection. "The host nation utilizes electronic speed measuring devices along the highways, which will issue a ticket for the vehicle."

Local speed limits are posted on all highways and city streets, with cameras along the streets to capture the image of a vehicle going too fast.

"The max speed limit for all military personnel is 100 KPH or the posted speed limit, whichever is lower," Martin said.

Just because a person may not have heard from anyone about a traffic violation, doesn't mean one isn't coming.

"Unit vehicle control officers are responsible for checking for traffic citations on the vehicles assigned to them twice a month and report findings to the 379th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron Fleet Management section," Martin said. "If a traffic citation has been issued, the vehicle operator is responsible for paying the citation.

"By signing the Off Base Travel Pass the driver is accepting liability for traffic citations: 'I will accept liability for any and all traffic and parking fines incurred while traveling off-base.'"

In addition to breaking host nation traffic laws, service members risk answering to their supervision for violating them.

"Members may receive administrative action for violating any host nation law, such as speeding," Capt. William Diggs, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Judge Advocate Office. "Administrative action, such as letters of counseling or admonishment, are designed to improve, correct and instruct members who depart from the standards of performance, conduct, bearing, and integrity, and whose actions degrade the individual and unit's mission."

In all cases, the actions of the individual and his or her prior history determine what the individual's leadership may choose to do.

"Commanders and supervisors consider both the nature of the incident and any previous disciplinary record of the member," Diggs said. "The commander may alternately choose, based on the nature of the incident or the member's prior record, to impose nonjudicial punishment. Each case is fact-specific, and commanders and supervisors tailor all administrative actions to the specific case."