Hickam Air Force Base has put in place restrictions on cell phone use while driving on base, following a Defense Department mandate that doesn't have a deadline but that military bases in Hawai'i increasingly are adopting.

Gen. Paul Hester, commander of Pacific Air Forces, recently enacted the ban for all Pacific installations.

Hands-free cell phones, and making a call while parked are allowed.

"One of the most important elements of the (Pacific Air Forces) mission is the welfare and safety of our airmen and their families," Hester said in a letter. "Use of cell phones impairs driving ability and masks or prevents recognition of emergency signals, alarms, announcements, the approach of vehicles and human speech."

The Defense Department regulation, published in the Federal Register in April of 2005, does not have an implementation schedule. However, the expectation is that most military installations will enact the restriction by this year.

The regulation was developed based on a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration finding that cell phone use is the fastest-growing driving distraction leading to traffic accidents.

The Hawai'i Legislature has considered bills to restrict cell phone use while driving, but no legislation has passed.

The restrictions on cell phone use on military bases — but allowing hands-free phones — is a minimum requirement, and installation commanders have the authority to put stricter rules in place.

Maj. Gen. Benjamin R. Mixon, commander of the 25th Infantry Division, banned hands-free cell phones as well while driving on Army installations in Hawai'i.

Navy Region Hawai'i so far has no such ban.

"We are looking into it, but we haven't implemented anything yet," said spokeswoman Lt. Barbara Mertz. Pearl Harbor personnel already are advised not to use cell phones if it will impede safety, she said.

At Marine Corps Base Hawai'i at Kane'ohe Bay, spokeswoman 1st Lt. Pam Marshall said, "We've had hands-free device (requirements) for maybe a year or more."

Signs posted at base gates say cell phone use while driving is prohibited unless hands-free devices are used, she said.

"I've heard of people getting ticketed," Marshall said.

Anyone who violates the new Air Force policy will receive a written warning until Feb. 28. After that, base driving privileges can be taken away for 30 days.

Reach William Cole at wcole@honoluluadvertiser.com.