Driving Vehicles While On Duty

President Obama issued an Executive order covering all federal employees including Auxiliary members that PROHIBITS cellular telephone use while driving – talking or texting. Auxiliary members are expected to remain attentive and if we suggest keeping the elements of TCT in mind – situational awareness and decision making. You lose the ability to do either effectively if you are inattentive.

Maryland has also enacted specific laws effective on October 1, 2010 regarding cellular telephone use and texting. Breaking either the order or the law while on duty can subject you to disciplinary action by the Coast Guard.

While it has not been specifically covered by the Coast Guard, it is suggested that members with Coast Guard Auxiliary license plates on their personal family vehicles set a traffic-safety example on roads and highways just as you would rivers, creeks, lakes and the Chesapeake Bay. On duty or off.

We do not want to see an Auxiliary member from our flotilla running a red light, a stop sign, or driving in an unsafe manner. It should go without saying that while in uniform going to and from Auxiliary duty, that flotilla members observe all traffic regulations. We should always be the example setters for boating safety AND driving safety.