Standard 052915

Vol. 32, No. 11

May 29, 2015

Community Partnership is Focus at Ribbon Cutting SHANNON BISHOP

USAG PUBLIC AFFAIRS

Despite the rainy morning May 21, members of Fort Detrick leadership and guests from Frederick County gathered for the ribbon cutting of Nallin Farm Gate and the Consolidated Logistics Facility.

U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command and Fort Detrick Commander Maj. Gen. Brian C. Lein gave opening remarks during the ceremony, which highlighted the importance of the new gate as well as the partnership with the community of Frederick.

“This building wouldn’t be possible without the city of Frederick,” said Lein.

“If we need to increase our force protection we won’t have to back up streets since the new gate will support a 200 car queue. This new visitor’s center also ensures that only approved people will come onto post.”

The $11 million gate project began construction in 2011 and will improve traffic flow off of Opossumtown Pike as well as provide increased security for the installation. Nallin Farm Gate, a stateof-the-art military installation entry control point, includes a car and truck inspection facility, a visitor’s control center and traffic control upgrades on Opossumtown Pike. Nallin Farm Gate is Fort Detrick’s new visitor’s gate that is operational 24/7.

“This gate will improve security and reduce traffic to our visitors, subcontractors, contractors and our business community at large,” said Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner. “The county is pleased to work closely with Fort Detrick on all of their expansions as we understand the value of Fort Detrick’s employees, the mission partners and all that Fort Detrick does to continue to provide national security.”

The new $23 million Consolidated Logistics facility will improve the distri-

U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command and Fort Detrick Commander Maj. Gen. Brian C. Lein shakes hands with Frederick City Mayor Randy McClement following the ribbon cutting for the Nallin Farm Gate and Consolidated Logistics Facility May 21.

Photo by Shannon Bishop, USAG Public Affairs bution efficiency for packages on post, as well as house the U.S. Army Garrison safety office, motor pool and the Directorate of Public Works maintenance facility.

Both of the new facilities are Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certified silver, making them another addition to Fort Detrick’s environmental efforts. The CONLOG facility also contains an area to plug in several electric vehicles and has lights that are motion detected.

“This is a great day. It’s been a long day coming. The city views this as a partnership and we are very proud of the partnership with Fort Detrick,” said Frederick City Mayor Randy McClement.

Social Media

Find the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Detrick: www.facebook.com/DetrickUSAG www.twitter.com/DetrickUSAG www.flickr.com/DetrickUSAG www.facebook.com/ForestGlenAnnex www.twitter.com/ForestGlenAnnex Find the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command www.facebook.com/USAMRMC www.twitter.com/USAMRMC www.flickr.com/people/usamrmc

Armed Forces Day Winners Fresh from the May 14 morning Quarterly Installation Run, Maj. Stephen Ray and 1st Sgt. Philip Collins represent Company B, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, as they show off the coveted Commanders Cup for Excellence won by the Marines at the Armed Forces Week Competition held at Fort Detrick on May 13.

Photo by Mary Chizmar, USAG DPTMS

What’s Inside

Leader Receives Legion of Merit Award, p. 3

USAMRMC Participates in First-ever DOD Lab Day, p. 6

Don’t Dismiss the Risks: Understand the Hazards of Distracted Driving, p. 10

June is Men’s Health Month

Did you know that women are 100 percent more likely to visit the doctor for annual examinations and preventive services than men?

June is a great time to remind men that it’s important to take time to take care of themselves. Prevention is a priority.

Anchored by a congressional health education program, Men’s Health Month is celebrated across the country with screenings, health fairs and other education and outreach activities. The purpose of Men’s Health Month is to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.

Men’s Health Tips: - Visit a health care provider regularly and get regular health screenings - Get at least 7-8 hours of sleep per night - Limit your intake of alcohol and caffeine Resources: http://www.menshealthnetwork.org/ http://www.menshealthnetwork.org/library/pdfs/GetItChecked.pdf http://www.prostatehealthguide.com/

Vacation Bible School The Fort Detrick Chapel will be hosting Vacation Bible School June 22-26, from 9 a.m. to noon each day. To sign up, contact the Fort Detrick Chapel at (301) 619-7371.

Display ad sales Frederick County Montgomery County Classified ads Circulation Editorial Printed on recycled paper Recycle when finished

301-921-2800 301-921-2800 1-888-670-7100 ext+. 2684 301-670-2591 301-619-3319

The STANDARD is an authorized unofficial newspaper, published every two weeks under the provisions of AR 360-1 for the military and civilians at Fort Detrick. Circulation is 7,000. The STANDARD is a commercial enterprise newspaper printed by Comprint Military Publications, 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, Md., 20877, a private firm, in no way connected with the United States Government or Department of Defense. The contents of the STANDARD do not necessarily reflect the official views or endorsement of the U.S. Government, the Department of Defense or the U.S. Army. The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts and supplements, do not constitute endorse-

After Duty Numbers

Important After Duty Hour Numbers Provost Marshal Office

(301) 619-2652

Fire and Emergency Services

(301) 619-2528

Near Miss Hotline

(301) 619-3164

USAG Network Enterprise Help Desk

(301) 619-2049

Balfour Beatty

(240) 379-6518

Directorate of Public Works Trouble Desk

(301) 619-2726

Barquist Army Health Clinic

(866) 379-3981

Post Operator

(301) 619-8000

ment of DoD. Everything advertised in this publication shall be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other nonmerit characteristic of the purchaser, user or patron.

Editorial content is prepared and edited by the Fort Detrick Public Affairs Office, 810 Schreider Street, Fort Detrick, Md. 21702-5000. Editorial Offices are in Bldg. 810, Suite 004, telephone 301-619-2018; e-mail: usarmy.detrick.usag.mbx. pao@mail.mil.

Visit our Web site at: www.detrick.army.mil

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Sustaining a community of excellence through restoration, environmental stewardship and workforce development

Command Staff Maj. Gen. Brian C. Lein

Commanding General, U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command and Fort Detrick

Col. Steven P. Middlecamp U.S. Army Garrison Commander

Editorial Staff Melissa Myers

USAMRMC/Fort Detrick PAO

MRMC Tours Combat Trauma Through the Years RAMIN A. KHALILI

USAMRMC COMBAT CASUALTY CARE RESEARCH PROGRAM KNOWLEDGE MANAGER

“We’ve become pretty savvy over the past century or so,” said Col. Todd Rasmussen during his featured presentation at the National Museum of Civil War Medicine May 15. “The military is always searching for ways to improve trauma care technology.”

Rasmussen, the director of the USAMRMC’s Combat Casualty Care Research Program, delivered his remarks during a lecture entitled “Combat Casualty Care, Then and Now.” The appearance was scheduled as part of the museum’s ongoing “Letterman Lecture Series,” a routine speaker series honoring the memory of the acknowledged father of

battlefield medicine, Civil War surgeon Dr. Johnathan Letterman. During the hour long event, Rasmussen focused chiefly on the benefits of current military medical technology as applied to the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

During those conflicts, for example, the case fatality rate – or, rather, the combat death rate among U.S. Soldiers – registered at less than 10 percent. By comparison, the case fatality rate during the Civil War registered at more than 41 percent. According to Rasmussen, the recent drop in CFR is most specifically attributed to the establishment of the “Golden Hour” principle in military medicine, a rule which dictates a victim’s chances of survival are greatest if he or she receives treatment within the first hour after severe injury.

In addition to his presentation, Rasmussen also allowed the assembled crowd to both view and hold several surgical tools commonly used in modern military medicine, including the contents of a contemporary Individual First Aid Kit, as well as a three-foot-long plastic catheter used to combat severe hemorrhagic shock.

“They didn’t have these during the Civil War, of course,” said Rasmussen of the device, “but it’s from something like this that we can draw a direct line from yesterday to today.”

Overall, more than two dozen people attended the event in downtown Frederick, Maryland.

“This is why we have these events,” said David Price, the museum’s Chief of Operations, “to bring the community together and show them the link between yesterday and today.”

SHANNON BISHOP AND NICK MINECCI USAG PUBLIC AFFAIRS

National Cancer Survivor Day, officially recognized on June 7, marks an important day for nearly 14 million people that are alive today after being diagnosed with cancer. Surviving a cancer diagnosis is largely due to advances in cancer prevention, early detection, treatment and follow up care, according to the official website for National Cancer Survivors Day. In 1969, President Richard M. Nixon outlawed offensive biological research in the United States, with the research at Fort Detrick becoming solely focused on defensive measures. Later, in 1971, Nixon traveled to Fort Detrick to sign the National Cancer Institute Act which created the Frederick Cancer Research Facility of the National Cancer Institute at Fort Detrick. The

President Richard M. Nixon signs the National Cancer Act in 1971, which established the Frederick Cancer Research and Development Center in 1972 when 70 acres and 67 buildings of the U.S. Army were transferred to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which includes the National Institutes of Health, on Fort Detrick.

File photo

Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (later renamed the Department of Health and Human Services) was afforded approximately 68 acres and 70 buildings on Fort Detrick for this mission.

The NCI is now an internationally recognized center of scientific excellence in cancer and AIDS research and devel-

opment. The NCI coordinates the U.S. National Cancer Program and conducts and supports research, training, health information dissemination and other activities related to the causes, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. It also provides supportive care of cancer patients and their families.

Leader Receives Legion Fort Detrick of Merit Award Honors Middlecamp at Luncheon

Fort Detrick U.S. Army Garrison Commander Steven P. Middlecamp accepts a gift from the USAG directors and special staff at his going away lunch May 27 at the Community Activities Center.

Photo by Jenni Benson, USAG PAO

On May 15, 6th Medical Logistics Management Center Commander Col. Anthony R. Nesbitt receives a Legion of Merit award from the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command and Fort Detrick Commander Maj. Gen. Brian C. Lein.

Sustaining a community of excellence through restoration, environmental stewardship and workforce development

Photo by Spc. Lynette Brown, 6MLMC Fort Detrick Standard May 29, 2015

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Fort Detrick Garrison Town Hall

During a recent U.S. Army Garrison Town Hall in the Fort Detrick Auditorium, Ray Wharton, director of the Directorate of Emergency Services, addresses the workforce about current gate operations. Since the opening of Nallin Farm Gate in April, gate operational hours across the installation have changed.

Photo by Shannon Bishop, USAG Public Affairs

Fort Detrick Holds Quarterly Retirement Ceremony

U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command and Fort Detrick Commander Maj. Gen. Brian C. Lein gives opening remarks during a recent retirement ceremony at Fort Detrick. Retirees, both military and civilian, had more than 180 combined years of service. Retirees included Col. Richard Starrs, Sgt. 1st Class Millasent Jacobs, Sgt. 1st Class Isaac Fulkerson, Laura Cole, Carl Kidwell and Cliff GrafďŹ us.

Photo by Siegfried Bruner, USAG VI

WIN A SUMMER GETAWAY PACKAGE TO GAYLORD NATIONAL Sign up to receive the DCMilitary.com e-letter by May 30th for your chance to win!

Visit DCMilitary.com/subscribe and sign up to receive our weekly e-letter and get headlines from military newspapers in the Washington D.C. metro region!

No purchase necessary. For official rules, visit dcmilitary.com/gaylordsweepstakes 1051075

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Sustaining a community of excellence through restoration, environmental stewardship and workforce development

Armed Forces Day ‘SluggerFest’

Lance Cpl. John Blanzy and Cpl. Tshikala Tshibaka of Bravo Company, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, display a Light Armored Vehicle-25 at Walnut Ridge Park in Frederick, Maryland, as part of the Armed Forces Day SluggerFest Baseball tournament held May 16 - 17. The tournament attracted 24 teams from Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia. Team Pinnacle from Fredericksburg, Virginia, were presented camouflage jerseys for the tournament by the Marines. The winning and runner-up teams, in each of the three age groups, were presented military statues and dog tags.

Photo by Frank LeClair, USAG

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SHOWCASING RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY USAMRMC Participates in First-ever DOD Lab Day STEVEN GALVAN

USAISR PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER

Showcasing the Army’s most advanced medical research, development and technology, the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command participated in the first DOD Lab Day at the Pentagon May 14.

The event featured more than 100 displays from research and development labs throughout the DOD. More than 40 experts from the Army, Navy and Air Force demonstrated their various products and programs for hundreds of visitors, including numerous congressional and DOD leadership, as well as students and Pentagon employees.

The joint medical exhibit included products and research demonstrating how DOD medical labs support military members throughout pre-deployment, deployment, rapid responses to global issues and rehabilitation. Exhibit highlights included infectious disease research, trauma care and battlefield medicine breakthroughs, aeromedical research, DOD Ebola response efforts, regenerative medicine and prosthetics advancements, brain injury research and chemical/biological education.

“The research that is being conducted at the USAMRMC is not only critical to the health and well-being of the Nation’s Warfighters, but also impacts the lives of civilians,” said Maj. Gen. Brian C. Lein, commanding general of the USAMRMC and Fort Detrick and deputy for Medical Systems to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisitions, Logistics and Technology. “Clinicians in the civilian setting are taking the science and technology coming from DOD labs in areas, such as rehabilitative medicine, trauma care and infectious disease research, and are using it to save lives on a daily basis.”

Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisitions, Technology and Logistics Frank Kendall hosted the event. Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work provided opening remarks and emphasized the importance of highlighting the military’s achievements in science and research.

“Technological superiority is not an American birthright,” said Work. “We must continue to innovate to protect our country.”

Dr. Jan Harris, director of the Joint Program Committee 1, explains the medical simulation and training portfolio of the program at DOD Lab Day, May 14.

Photo by Adam Wyatt, Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center

Maj. Gen. Brian C. Lein, commanding general, U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command and Fort Detrick and deputy for Medical Systems to the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology, and Rear Adm. Bruce A. Doll, director, Research, Development and Acquisition, Defense Health Agency and deputy commander, U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, discuss advancements in medical research and technology at the DOD’s first-ever Lab Day, May 14.

Photo by Adam Wyatt, Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center

Soldiers from the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases demonstrate the proper use and function of the Tyvek suit and the Powered Air Purifying Respirator to local STEM students attending DOD Lab Day, May 14.

Photo by Adam Wyatt, Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center

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Todd Bishop of the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Agency tells STEM students attending DOD Lab Day about his work in telemedicine.

Photo by Adam Wyatt, Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center

Sustaining a community of excellence through restoration, environmental stewardship and workforce development

Mark Brown, mechanical engineer and shop supervisor of the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity’s Prototype Development Lab, explains a recent PDL effort to Mary Miller, deputy assistant secretary of the Army for Research and Technology at DOD Lab Day, May 14.

Photo by Adam Wyatt, Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center

Dr. Kendra Lawrence of the U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity explains vaccines and the development of vaccines such as the Adenovirus Type 4 and Type 7 vaccines, live, oral at DOD Lab Day, May 14.

Photo by Adam Wyatt, Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center

Staff Sgt. Gary Hall of the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense explains the Medical Management of Chemical and Biological Casualties Course at DOD Lab Day, May 14.

Sustaining a community of excellence through restoration, environmental stewardship and workforce development

Photo by Adam Wyatt, Telemedicine and Advanced Technology Research Center Fort Detrick Standard May 29, 2015

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Garrison Employee of the Quarter

Company B, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion Training

Marines with Company B, 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion took part in Gunnery Qualification training April 24 - 30 at the Fort Pickett Maneuver Training Center in Blackstone, Virginia. The training evaluated the crews abilities to acquire, engage and destroy both stationary and moving enemy vehicles and troops from both a stationary and moving LAV-25 during the day and night.

During the U.S. Army Garrison Town Hall and 2nd Quarter Awards Ceremony May 19, Installation Safety Office Safety Specialist Chad Betoney II is recognized for being the Garrison Employee of the Quarter, as well as the Installation Management Command Employee of the Quarter. Betoney receives his awards for providing a daily inspiration to superiors, peers and subordinates as well as his unmatched ability to accomplish even the most challenging missions with amazing results.

Photos by Master Gunnery Sgt. John Moseley, Company B, 4th LAR Battalion

Photo by Shannon Bishop, USAG Public Affairs

Creating Beautiful Smiles for the Entire Family FAMILY DENTISTRY • COSMETIC DENTISTRY • ORTHODONTICS

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Call Today! 301-501-5600 www.opalridgedental.com

HOME RUN CAR SHOW at Harry Grove Stadium, Frederick June 13, 2015 (rain date June14)

Other events include Flea market, exhibits, food, auction, music & more Vehicle registration 9-12 (show 10-4) Flea market opens 9:00 Win a 48” Replica Vintage Coke Cooler Free admission/parking to the public Proceeds go to Vets Journey Home, Vietnam Veterans of America & Korean War Veterans Association

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Cleanings & Examinations • Cosmetic Dentistry • Crowns & Bridges Dental Bonding • Dental Implants • Dentures & Partials Emergency Dental Care • Family Dentistry • Pediatric Dentistry Periodontal Disease Prevention & Treatment Porcelain Veneers • Root Canal Therapy • Six Month Smiles Sleep Apnea & Snoring Treatment • Smile Makeovers Teeth Whitening • TMI and Bruxism Therapy • Tooth-Colored Fillings

Information call Jay (301)831-0154 or www.goldengears.org 1051149

Sustaining a community of excellence through restoration, environmental stewardship and workforce development

The 2015 Spring Research Festival was a great success.

Congratulations to the poster winners.

Certificate of Appreciation- Organized NICBR Scientific Symposium Kylie Walters- NCI at Frederick Tim Minogue- USAMRIID Col. Brian Gentile- USAMRIID Jeff Teska- USAMRIID Certificate of Appreciation- Organized Ebola Virus Mini Symposium Vicki Wahl- Jensen- NBACC

Certificate of Appreciation- Hosted Poster Blitz Reid Frederick- USDA ARS Julie Dyall- NIAID IRF Certificate of Appreciation- Spring Research Committee Chair Amanda Cecil- USAMRMC

Outstanding Presentation at the NICBR Scientific Symposium Avijit Roy- USDA ARS Dennis Watson- NCI at Frederick Leah Randles- NCI at Frederick Balamurugan Kuppusamy- NCI at Frederick Roberty Cory Bernhards- USAMRIID Janice Duy- USAMRIID Christopher Stefan- USAMRIID 2014 Best NICBR Collaboration Publication Award Julie Dyall- NIAID IRF Pamela Glass- USAMRIID Outstanding Poster - Applied and Environmental Biology William Bruckart- USADA ARS Outstanding Poster - Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Mihika Shah- NCI at Frederick Rebecca Freed- NCI at Frederick Outstanding Poster - Cancer Biology Andrew Waters- NCI at Frederick Ludmila Szabova- NCI at Fredeick Outstanding Poster- Clinical Research Jonathan Kagan- NCI at Frederick Outstanding Poster- Detection and Diagnostics Charles Clavet- FDA Outstanding Poster- Development and Cell Biology Matthew Andersen- NCI at Frederick Maria Kaltcheva- NCI at Frederick Outstanding Poster- Emerging Technologies Svetlana Chefer- NIAID IRF Outstanding Poster- Immunology Matthew Trivett- NCI at Frederick Erin O’Connor- NCI at Frederick Outstanding Poster- Infectious Pathogens and Epidemiology Christine Pugh- USAMRIID Kevin Schully- NMRC Outstanding Poster- Informatics Eckart Bindewald- NCI at Frederick Sarah Keasey- USAMRIID Outstanding Poster- Structural Biology and Chemistry Matthew Harris- NCI at Frederick Rusian Gibadullin- NCI at Frederick Outstanding Poster- Therapeutics, Vaccines and Drug Deliveries Brit Hart- NIAID IRF Yang Feng- NCI at Frederick Outstanding Poster- Gene Therapy, Genome Editing and Genetics Jordan Jensen- NCI at Frederick Outstanding Poster- Biosafety and Biosecurity Jeffrey Brubaker- USAMRIID Outstanding Poster- Other Melanie Adams- USAMRIID Nathalie Walker- NCI at Frederick

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Don’t Dismiss the Risks:

Understand the Hazards of Distracted Driving

JENNI BENSON

USAG PUBLIC AFFAIRS

In 2013, 3,154 people were killed and approximately 424,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The statistics are staggering. The NHTSA estimates that one in five crashes in which someone was injured is due to distracted driving.

Distracted driving isn’t going away.

Thanks to emerging technologies, the trend is certainly pointing upwards in an already robust list of possible distractions. Distracted driving can range from texting, making or answering a call, eating, personal grooming and fiddling with the radio buttons, just to name a few. In fact, many car manufacturers are even looking into how to surf the web over Bluetooth, while the car verbally reads you the results, all done by voice recognition.

Understanding the dangers associated with distracted driving, and educating yourself and those around you about them, can help reduce the frequency of distracted driving incidents.

Leaders within the Department of Defense have answered the call to reduce distracted driving incidents. DOD Instruction 6055.4, Traffic Safety Program states, “DOD personnel are prohibited while driving any vehicle on or off installations on official Government business from text messaging, using cell phones, or using other handheld electronic devices unless the vehicle is safely parked or they are using a hands-free

device, except for receiving or placing calls in performance of duties from tactical or emergency vehicles or other mission-critical duties, to include law enforcement use of incar mobile data terminals and other in-car electronic devices. Use of hands-free devices is also discouraged as creating significant distractions from safe driving performance.”

It’s hard to imagine someone having an opposition to putting the phone down while operating a two-ton piece of machinery that has the potential to harm, injure or kill. We all hear about accidents caused by distracted driving, however, people are still doing it. Why? One common argument from people who don’t want to put down their devices is as simple as “it won’t happen to me; I’m a great multitasker.”

Regardless of whether or not you think you can handle doing multiple things while driving, it is prohibited; not only on this installation, but in many states nationwide.

According to Fort Detrick Regulation 1905, and mirroring DOD policy, vehicle operators on a DOD installation and operators of Government-Owned Vehicles, both on and off of DOD installations, will not use cell phones unless the vehicle is safely parked or unless they are using a hands-free device.

“The DOD Traffic Safety Program and Maryland state laws explicitly prohibit the use of hand-held cell phones and texting while driving,” said Installation Safety Manager Rusty Fohner. “Individuals can be pulled over and cited by police officers if they are observed for either offense, both on or off the installation.”

Another argument often heard is that texting is no different than talking with a passenger, changing a station on the radio, looking at your GPS or eating while driving.

While that may seem to hold merit, talking to your kids about their day and eating in the car while rushing them to soccer practice are sources of distractions, texting seems to be the worst offender, requiring most of a driver’s visual, manual and cognitive attention. To explain, visual distraction would be taking your eyes off of the road to read a text message. Manual distraction would be taking your hands off the wheel to grab your phone and compose a text. Lastly, cognitive distraction would be taking your mind off of your main task, which is operating a motor vehicle. Texting engages these three main types of distractions, therefore making it arguably the most distracting of the distractors.

According to Distraction.gov, a website sponsored by the NHTSA, sending or receiving a text takes a driver’s eyes from the road for an average of 5 seconds. If you are traveling 55 miles per hour, this equals driving the length of a football field without looking at the road. The NHTSA also informs us that engaging in visual-manual subtasks associated with the use of hand-held phones and other portable devices increases your risk of getting into a crash by three times.

Although texting while driving poses the most risk, any form of distracted driving should be avoided. Driving is an activity and responsibility that requires your full attention, not only for your safety but for others on the road as well.

Perhaps the most common argument on this topic is your job or your family and friends expect you to be accessible at all times, even while driving.

Granted, that may be true, and even though the stresses of a job or family life may warrant being connected at all times, why take the risk at becoming a statistic? Here are a few statistics to drive home the dangers of distracted driving according to the NHTSA:

• At any given daylight moment across America, approximately 660,000 drivers are using cell phones or manipulating electronic devices while driving, a number that has held steady since 2010.

• In 2013, ten percent of fatal crashes, 18 percent of injury crashes and 16 percent of all motor vehicle traffic crashes were reported as distraction-affected crashes.

• In 2013, ten percent of all drivers 1519 years old involved in fatal crashes were reported as distracted at the time of the crashes.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, drivers who use hand-held devices are four times as likely to be involved in a serious crash.

The change starts with you. Understanding the dangers associated with distracted driving, and educating yourself and those around you about them, can help reduce the frequency of distracted driving incidents.

Remember, DOD personnel are prohibited while driving any vehicle on or off installations, on official government business, from text messaging, using cell phones, or using other hand-held electronic devices, unless the vehicle is safely parked or you are using a hands-free device.

Why become a statistic?

Distraction.gov encourages us to take the pledge to end distracted driving with the motto “one text or call could wreck it all.”

Will you take the pledge?

TAKE THE PLEDGE The fight to end distracted driving starts with you.

Make the commitment to drive phone-free today.

Distracted driving kills and injures thousands of people each year. I pledge to: • Protect lives by never texting or talking on the phone while driving.

• Be a good passenger and speak out if the driver in my car is distracted.

• Encourage my friends and family to drive phone-free.

SIGNATURE: _____________________________________________________________ DATE: ___________________________________________________________________ 1051150

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Sustaining a community of excellence through restoration, environmental stewardship and workforce development