These points you don't want to earn Published July 14, 2008 By Airman 1st Class Elliott Sprehe 27th Special Operations Wing Public Affairs CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Do you like to drive fast? Or perhaps a complete stop is not to your liking when you drive by the medical clinic. Or maybe you just feel in the clear because you purchased a brand new radar detector. If any of the above applies to you, then you are also probably on your way to becoming an unwilling fan of having your driving privileges on base revoked. All moving violations handled by the 27th Security Forces Squadron have a point value assigned to them. Some of these violations, such as drinking and driving, cost more points than others. However, simply not wearing your seatbelt on base can result in a loss of base driving privileges for 30 days and cost you points. "The traffic point system provides a uniform administrative device to impartially judge service personnel's driving performance," said Tech. Sgt. Andrew Nofzinger, 27th SOSFS. Points for each traffic violation are determined according to Air Force Instruction 31-204 and apply to anybody driving on base in government or privately-owned vehicles. However, one cannot get points for non-moving violations. And though servicemembers and civilians both have points applied to their base driving record, only civilians can be assessed a cash fine. "Depending on the severity of the violation and whether it's a first offense or not, I'll contact the member for verbal counseling or more severe administrative action," said Master Sgt. Brian Sapp, 27th Special Operations Mission Support Squadron first sergeant. "The Air Force utilizes the DD Form 1408 (Armed Forces Traffic Ticket) for military members," said Sergeant Nofzinger. "Civilians and family member dependents are issued DD Form 1805 (U.S. District Court Violation Notice), which encompasses fines and points. If an individual receives 12 points within a year or 18 points within two years, installation driving privileges may be revoked." In addition to having base driving privileges revoked, Sergeant Sapp also points out that "the stress this will cause on their work centers and friends in having to get rides to and from work, to appointments, etc., will eventually wear thin on friends and supervisors causing other complications." Some of the more common infractions for which points are accrued include: Not wearing a seatbelt: 4 points Speeding: 3 - 6 points, depending on how many miles over the speed limit the driver was traveling. Failure to obey traffic signal/law enforcement officer: 4 points Safety equipment infraction: 4 points, 30 days driving suspension Radar detector: 3 points Drinking and driving: 6 points, 365 days driving suspension For more information about the point system please call Sergeant Nofzinger at 784-6115. "Obeying posted 'rules of the road' help to keep traffic flowing in a safe and orderly fashion, but most importantly, it may save a life," said Sergeant Sapp.