The commute on and off the installation can be hectic. Rushing to try and beat the traffic, taking that last sip of coffee before getting your ID out, trying to beat that yellow light. But if drivers are not careful, their commute can become a lot longer with a car accident.

The safety of personnel at Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River is paramount, and Kordeen Kor, Occupational Safety and Health program director, reminds everyone that driver safety begins before entering the gate.

"Not only on base, but whenever operating a motor vehicle, drivers need to avoid distractions and focus on the task at hand," said Kor. "Put the cell phone in the trunk, don't make attempts at changing the radio, or adjusting the controls on the vehicle while in motion in highly congested traffic, or hazardous areas. Plan ahead and allow plenty of time to get where you are going to avoid having to push the speed limit to get to your destination on time."

Kor added not only driving safely, but courteously, can also prevent accidents on and off base.

"Don't squeeze into the space of another driver," said Kor. "Move your vehicle into the proper lane well in advance to avoid drastic lane changes at the last minute to make a turn. Be courteous to other drivers; if they signal to move over let them in, you will still get there on time."

While no specific area on base has seen an increase in accidents, Kor reminds drivers that areas with higher concentrations of vehicle and pedestrian traffic should be traveled with more care, particularly cross streets and parking lots. He added, while pedestrians have the right of way, vehicles may not see them, so anyone crossing the street should look both ways before crossing and make sure they are seen before stepping into the crosswalk.

"Most of the drivers on NAS know where the congested areas are at peak traffic hours, and should be taking on a defensive driving posture to ensure a safe trip to their destination," said Kor.

If an accident involving an automobile does occur on base, there are some things drivers must do depending on the type of accident. Police at NAS Patuxent River have two classifications for accidents, those that only involve property damage, and those that involve a personal injury.

"Property damage only is where no one was injured and only minor damage to vehicles occurred," said Master-at-Arms 1st Class (SW/AW) Matthew R. Wilson, a watch commander with NAS Patuxent River Base Police. "In this case move the vehicles out of the way of other vehicles to a safe location, and then call the NDW (Naval District Washington) Emergency Communications Center [non-emergency] at (301)342-3208. The second classification is an accident with personal injury. This is if someone is injured. In this case do not try moving vehicles just call the NDW Emergency Communications Center immediately at (301) 342-3911 and give the type and severity of injuries."

Wilson said a police report is not necessary for a minor traffic accident on base, but drivers can request police response and officers can oversee an exchange of driver information. The officers can provide the paperwork to those involved including names vehicle descriptions and insurance information, or a police report can be written, which will notify drivers' insurance companies. Wilson added tickets can be issued as well.

"Drivers can expect to be ticketed if found to be at fault," said Wilson. "Officers can issue an Armed Forces Traffic Ticket [1408], a base ticket with no fine or points awarded, or a United States District Court Violation Notice [1805], which does carry points and a fine if convicted."

Wilson added, if a driver hits an unattended car on base, they must follow up with a phone call to the base non-emergency number at (301) 342-3208.

"If someone hits an unattended car do not just leave," said Wilson. "Call the non-emergency number and an officer will respond and can track down the owner of the car which was hit. This really can only be enforced with the honor system. If a third party witnesses a hit and run we ask they try to get the at fault vehicles license plate number and state which it is from without making contact with the at fault individual."

On and off base, following safe driving practices can save time on your commute and damage to your vehicle.

For more news from Naval Air Station Patuxent River, visit www.navy.mil/.