Safety office raises awareness of texting while driving risks Published Nov. 19, 2012 By Senior Airman Dennis Ayres 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Experts from Safety offices across Fairchild are asking Fairchild Airmen and their families to think before they decide to text or talk while driving. The staffs at the 92nd and 141st Air Refueling Wings as well as the 336th Training Group are generating awareness through a pledge system, signifying a commitment to drive distraction free. "I think people don't realize how quickly the subtle draw of a cell phone can cause disaster in a car," said Lt. Col. Paul Baker, 92nd ARW chief of safety. While not a formal obligation, the pledge reminds everyone to be safe, Baker said. The number of Airmen pledging will be tallied on the 92nd ARW Safety's sharepoint site and the base Facebook page. Baker said the idea to start the pledge came from a local mishap that is believed to have been caused by a driver distracted by a cell phone. "If you're going to drive and you need to send a message, you could just have a designated texter or simply pull over to the side of the road," Baker said. "Just like good wingmen remind each other to wear their seatbelts, we should look out for one another when it comes to texting as well." Unit safety representatives have pledge forms to fill out and will be visiting work centers around the installation. In addition, Airmen can send an email to 92arw.seg@us.af.mil with their pledge.