riding in a private motor vehicle on any naval base. This restriction applies even when a state has child safety seat laws that differ from the Navy’s requirements. WARNING The  operator  of  the  vehicle  is  responsible for  informing  all  passengers  of  the  safety  belt, child safety seat, and protective equipment requirements   of   the   Navy   Traffic   Safety Program.  That  means,  as  an  operator  of  a motor  vehicle,  you  must  make  sure  your passengers  BUCKLE  UP! DRIVER EDUCATION The Chief of Naval Education and Training (CNET) is required to provide all military personnel under the age of 26 who have a driver’s license or who are required to operate a government motor vehicle with a minimum of 8 hours of classroom instruction in traffic safety. This training may be provided during recruit training or at their first duty station. You may be required to attend such a course if you are found at fault in a traffic mishap while operating a government motor vehicle. You may also be required to attend  such  a  course  if  you  have  been  convicted  of serious moving traffic violations in a government or private vehicle on base. The Commander, Naval Safety Center (COMNAV- SAFECEN)  certifies  instructors  who  conduct  the American Automobile Association’s Driver Improve- ment  Program  at  commands  throughout  the  Navy. Individuals must not be assigned as drivers of Navy police vehicles, ambulances, fire trucks, and crash and  rescue  vehicles  until  they  have  successfully completed  the  National  Highway  Traffic  Safety Administration’s  Emergency  Vehicle  Operator  Course (EVOC).  This  course  is  conducted  by  a  COMNAV- SAFECEN  approved  instructor.  This  training  is  to  be repeated  every  3  years  thereafter  to  ensure  competency in the safe operation of such vehicles. ALCOHOL Alcohol  seriously  affects  a  person’s  ability  to operate   a   motor   vehicle.   Alcohol   is   the   leading contributing factor in motor-vehicle-related deaths and injuries. Small amounts of alcohol (one beer or a mixed drink) can affect a person’s judgment and motor skills. The best defense is  don’t drive after drinking (fig. 10-4).  Make  arrangements  for  alternate  forms  of transportation  (for  example,  call  a  taxi  or  a  friend,  or designate someone to drive who is not going to drink). You are not permitted to have open containers of alcohol in your possession while operating or as a passenger in a motor vehicle on any naval installation. PEDESTRIANS The  Navy  Traffic  Safety  Program  also  pertains  to pedestrians.  Personnel  are not authorized to jog on main roads and streets on naval installations with high traffic density and during peak traffic periods. Local commanders are required to define and publish the peak traffic periods of the locale and the roads and streets with high-density  traffic. If possible, avoid jogging on roads and streets on naval installations; use defined jogging facilities or routes  when  available.  When  jogging  on  roads  and streets, jog in patrolled areas and wear light-colored clothing.  During  periods  of  reduced  visibility  (for example, at night or during fog or rain), wear reflective clothing. Jog facing traffic and obey traffic rules and regulations. Appropriate  fluorescent  or  reflective  personal protective  equipment  must be provided to and used by all personnel who are exposed to traffic hazards in their assigned  duties.  This  requirement  involves  traffic control   personnel,   roadway   maintenance   and construction  crews,  and  electricians  and  telephone repair  personnel  working  on  overhead  lines. PORTABLE HEADPHONES Portable entertainment devices, such as miniature headset  radios,  cassette  players,  or  other  devices  with headphones,  can  be  dangerous.  Not  only  do  they produce hazardous noise if turned up to full volume, but they can cause mishaps. People have been killed while walking on train tracks or along roadways because they could not hear horns or warnings. The use of portable headphones, earphones, or other listening devices is prohibited on roadways, sidewalks, and shoulders along roadways on all naval facilities while  operating  a  motor  vehicle,  jogging,  walking, bicycling, or skating. That does not include the use of hearing  aids  or  hearing-protective  equipment,  nor  does it negate the requirement for wearing hearing-protective 10-4