MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Last year in Los Angeles, a Metrolink commuter train was in route from downtown LA to the suburb of Simi Valley. The train was traveling through the community of Chatsworth during peak afternoon commuting hours when it collided head on with a freight train. During this horrific incident, 25 people lost their lives and 135 more were injured.
During the course of the investigation, it was revealed that the engineer failed to observe a red light signal on the tracks. It was also discovered that he had been sending and receiving text messages leading up to the time of the collision. Although this incident was a train and not an automobile, there are serious consequences involved when people decide not to pay attention to the roadways when operating motor vehicles.
In the interest of safety, the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Provost Marshal's Office is strictly enforcing speed and hands-free law violations.
According to California Vehicle Code Sections 23123, 23124, and 23123.5, state vehicle laws, no person will operate a motor vehicle while using a wireless telephone unless it is specifically designed and configured to allow hands-free listening and talking, and is used in that manner while driving, except during an emergency. No person will operate a motor vehicle while writing, sending or reading text-based communication, including, but not limited to, communications referred to as text messages, instant messages, or electronic mail. Individuals under the age of 18, school bus drivers and transit drivers are prohibited to use wireless communication devices while driving regardless of hands-free configuration except during emergency situations.
If found guilty of one of these violations, individuals can expect to pay $20 for the first offense and $50 for subsequent offenses.
On-base violators can receive up to a one-month suspension of their base driving privileges and will be required to attend a remedial driving class for a first offense.
For subsequent offenses, base violators can obtain up to a three-month suspension of base driving privileges plus remedial driving class.
“These regulations, and their punishments if violated, may seem slightly on the strict side in comparison to laws and punishments of other states across the country,” said Provost Marshal Capt. Kevin L. Greenfield, deputy provost marshal, operations division, PMO, MCB Camp Pendleton. “Within the unique community of Camp Pendleton, the safety of our military members, residents and our visitors is top priority. The Marine Corps’ most valuable assets are people and at the Camp Pendleton Provost Marshal Office our peoples’ safety is ours and everybody’s responsibility,” Greenfield said.
Emergency service professionals such as police, fire department personnel and emergency medical technicians are exempt from hands-free laws while in the line of duty. Also, digital two-way radio communications are authorized while driving a commercial truck, tow truck or farm vehicle.
Under the new “texting law,” motorists are not allowed to use text messaging; however, they can still look at their wireless telephone and to select a number and make a call without being in violation of a hands-free law.
CVC 23123.5 states, “For purposes of this section, a person shall not be deemed to be writing, reading, or sending a text-based communication if the person reads, selects, or enters a telephone number or name in an electronic wireless communications device for the purpose of making or receiving a telephone call.”
Although, hands-free violations are enforced both on and off base, there are still many differences when driving aboard Camp Pendleton, rather than in surrounding cities.
Camp Pendleton citizens have to be aware of traffic delays caused by unit formations, physical training, troop crossings and even air operations that sometimes result in the closure of roads.
“Our motorists have to be twice as aware on the road as the typical motorists in Oceanside or San Diego,” Greenfield said. “There are many more opportunities to find yourself in an unsafe hazardous situation that would have devastating consequences if you were to become distracted by cell phone operation or anything else,” he said.
Another big difference is that the unposted basic speed limit is 25 miles an hour in neighbors and school zones in the local city communities. Aboard Camp Pendleton, the speed limit is 15 miles an hour.
The Provost Marshal's Office would like to recommend three items to all motorists, both on and off base, that when implemented greatly increase driver safety.
These are abbreviated as CAP. Always be cautious, alert and patient.
Drivers need to be cautious and alert when sharing the roadways with drivers often times not familiar with California or base "Rules of the Road". As for exercising patience, that speaks for itself with the amount of road rage on congested highways, which can result in assaults and in some cases murder. Tempers flare during traffic jams and drivers’ patience run out.
“Making "CAP" a part of your diving habits isn't a guarantee that you won't encounter a safety mishap, but it will greatly reduce the odds," Greenfield said.
For more information about Camp Pendleton traffic laws, visit www.pendleton.usmc.mil. PMO also asks Camp Pendleton motorists to be on the lookout for drunk drivers. Call 911 or (760) 725-3888.