Critical Days of Summer Week 3: Preparing for summer travel Published June 5, 2014 By Tech. Sgt. James Fountain 17th Training Wing Safety Office GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- As the Air Force heads into the third week of this year's Critical Days of Summer campaign, the focus switches to preparations for safe summer travel. The Air Force summer automobile losses for the previous four summers between the months of June and September included: 18 fatalities, four permanent or partial disabilities, 210 lost-time for one or more duty day, and 2,020 lost work days costing the Air Force $5,442,810. Taking trips requires forethought and preparation: · How many miles is the final destination? · How many stops are going to be made? · Is it an overnight trip? · Snacks or food stops? · Are there restaurants in the area where stops are planned? · Traveling through a major city in the early morning or later afternoon? · How far is it between gas stations? · Is the car in good condition? · Is there an emergency roadside kit in the car? · What is the weather outlook? There are so many things to plan for, but the overall goal is to critically avoid an emergency with no help in sight. Use personal risk management skills, take the time to plan the trip in advance and always have a backup plan. Using technology can tremendously help along the way. The majority of new phones have map technology and access to some type of weather information channel. Suggestions on weather websites when trip planning: http://weather.weatherbug.com/travel-forecast/trip-planner.html http://www.wunderground.com/roadtrip/ http://www.weather.com/activities/driving/interstate/index.html The main focus should be on thinking ahead and planning the trip from beginning to end. Think ahead to be ahead. For questions or concerns, contact the 17th Training Wing Safety Office at 325-654-3894, 3895 or 3963. The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by Goodfellow Air Force Base, the United States Air Force, or the Department of Defense, of the external Website, or the information, products or services contained therein. For other than authorized activities such as military exchanges and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) sites, the United States Air Force does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of the Website.
