Q: Can we get clarification on the policy regarding wearing headphones on base? Thank you.

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A: Earphones or other listening devices may not be used in any manner that will cause the user to cover either one or both ears while operating a motorized or non-motorized (bicycle, skateboard, etc.) vehicle while on base roads and streets. Provided the volume is adjusted so that the user may still hear normal ambient sounds, these devices are authorized to be worn over the ears when running on the designated running path that encircles Berkey Field and while walking on sidewalks provided they are removed when using crosswalks. We still see too many personnel who just casually walk into a crosswalk either wearing headphones or talking on a cell phone while neglecting to watch for oncoming traffic.

Thanks for clarifying this policy. I've always taken my earphones off when using crosswalks. Why is it so difficult to follow? This needs to be enforced more.

Ok people lets get real..I mean I been enforcing rules and regs for over 16 years. Common sense here, people just need to be more aware. I seen people hit in crosswalks that weren't lisitening to music or talking on a cellphone. they were just too lazy to look and assume drivers are paying attention to crosswalks. Removing your headphones and just stepping out into the crosswalk without looking is just dumb. Bottom line follow what your mommy and daddy told you when you were a kid look left then right then look again before stepping out into the street.

Posted By K9man on 02 Feb 2010 12:46 PM
Common sense here, people just need to be more aware. I seen people hit in crosswalks that weren't lisitening to music or talking on a cellphone. they were just too lazy to look and assume drivers are paying attention to crosswalks.

K9man, I agree with you 100%!  Use common sense.

This must have been a question from a dinq NUB...

I actually think its a good question, and great there is an official answer to read from.

There are PEOPLE getting caught with this all the time.

I see people doing this, and some people dont even know the rules..

I saw a guy the other, day and asked him if he knew, and he said no.. If the very minimum I would keep atleast 1 ear open for you to hear things (just incase emergency or anything around you).. What if someone was shouting your name? You couldnt even hear them..

Posted By Adam Jones on 05 Feb 2010 12:16 AM
I actually think its a good question, and great there is an official answer to read from.

There are PEOPLE getting caught with this all the time.

I see people doing this, and some people dont even know the rules..

I think it's a good question as well.  For the newbies... read it and comply.  As for myself, I like to follow the rules, so you will never see me with headphones on while entering/crossing the crosswalk.  Especially since my husband enforces it as well.

It would be nice for people to actually do what their suppose to while crossing the street any way, like stop, look both ways before crossing whether they have headphones on or not. I've seen too many people just walk into the street (in a crosswalk and not in a crosswalk) like every car on the road sees them and knows that they want to cross the street.

We decided when we came here that we didn't NEED to buy a car, so we get around strictly by train/walking unless we specifically need a cab for something. We always do the stop, look both ways, wait for the car to stop, and trust me there have been plenty of cars that zoom through w/o even thinking of stopping.It is pretty nice when people just decide not to give up the 26 seconds of their lives to stop for pedestrians, although of course there are many of kind people who stop even when they were clearly able to make it through first. It just comes down to one simple thing, walking or driving, headphones or not, pay attention to your surroundings and there will be no issues.