18th SFS keeps eyes on Kadena

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Sarah Oswald, 18th Security Forces Squadron Tango unit patrolman, uses a speed-detecting radar gun to measure how fast cars are going during a daily traffic control on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 10. Members of the 18th SFS conduct traffic control every day along with Japanese civilian guards, using radar to detect speeding vehicles. (U.S. Air Force photo by Naoto Anazawa)

18th SFS keeps eyes on Kadena

Hiroyuki Miyagi, 18th Security Forces Squadron Tango unit patrolman, fills out a DD form 1408 during a daily traffic control on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 10. If an individual is caught speeding, security forces takes points from their license as a penalty. If an individual accrues 12 points, his or her license will be revoked for six months. (U.S. Air Force photo by Naoto Anazawa)

18th SFS keeps eyes on Kadena

Published Jan. 13, 2014
By Naoto Anazawa
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- The 18th Security Forces Squadron monitors traffic every day in order to protect the safety of all those living and working on Kadena. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speed is involved in one out of three fatal crashes and is one of the most significant contributors to crash severity, traffic fatalities and driving violations.

"The most common violation on Kadena is speeding followed by ignoring road signs, and the usage of mobile phones while operating a vehicle." said Hiroyuki Miyagi 18th Security Forces Squadron Tango unit patrolman. "Accidents will be reduced even off-base if you obey the traffic rules properly within Kadena Air Base."

There are strict rules for speeding on Kadena which could cause a driver gain points toward their license.

- 2-17 kilometers per hour over the speed limit: 3 points
- 18-25 kilometers per hour over the speed limit: 4 points
- 26-33 kilometers per hour over the speed limit: 5 points
- 34-39 kilometers per hour over the speed limit: 6 points
- 40-and over the speed limit license revoked for six months

If an individual accumulates 12 points, the driver will have his or her license revoked for a year.

While it would be almost impossible to eliminate traffic accidents, the chances of getting in one will be greatly reduced if drivers slow down and follow the designated speed limits.