More than a year has passed since a member of the Fort Knox Family lost their life to a traffic fatality.

One way the installation safety office is working to keep people safe is by meeting with Soldiers who are new to Fort Knox to discuss safety.

"We do a one on one or a small group and discuss with them what they think safety is and also make sure that they know our low and high hazard areas on the installation," said Joseph Colson, installation safety director.

These meetings are also a great time to let Soldiers know what safety-related services are available to them and discuss how to deal with unsafe behaviors or hazards in their workplace, he added.

Several publications are also made available, like Preliminary Loss Reports from the Combat Readiness Center in Fort Rucker, Alabama, and monthly knowledge newsletters.

"This is a good way for us to make contact with the Soldier or civilian employee before a long weekend (and help them) think about their safety and the safety of others," Colson said.

Colson's also planning a Safety Stand Down event and vehicle inspections, most likely taking place early April, he said.

Law enforcement is also helping to keep people safe on post.

"They're very vigilant here on Fort Knox," Colson said. "They're out circulating around the installation for speeders, making sure pedestrians are doing what they're required to do when they're out running, and things of that nature."

"We don't tolerate (speeding) because it's a safety issue," said Lt. Col. Edgar Otalora, Directorate of Emergency Services director. "It's a small area and you don't always have time to react to other drivers. If you're speeding, you're going to get pulled over and you're going to get a ticket."

Soldiers and civilians can also take it upon themselves to help keep themselves and others safe while on Fort Knox.

For example, Soldiers can "know their Soldier," Colson said.

"It doesn't matter what the individual's rank is; if an individual sees another individual have an issue with drinking or alcohol or whatever the case may be, make someone else aware," he said.

Colson also wants to reduce the number of traffic incidents that occur on the range roads.

"These roads are very narrow. Some of them have bumps, some of them have gravel and some of them are extremely steep," Colson said. "(Drivers) have to go by the speed limit that's posted on those roads (and) I want them to be aware of those hazards that are out there."

It's also important for people to practice traffic safety at the gates, especially from April to August when cadets are on post for training, he said.

"The influx in personnel and the traffic is going to change," Colson said. "Folks need to be more patient and more vigilant while they're driving on and off the installation, especially when they come to the gate."

Drivers can help avoid incidents by staying off their phones and not driving bumper to bumper, he said.

"Here at Fort Knox we take all mission events and morale activities seriously because it only takes a second for an incident to occur or for that incident to become a fatality," Colson said.

Drivers can also stay safe by being aware of road conditions and reacting accordingly.

"As the weather changes, if it's raining, roads get slick," Otalora said. "If it's snowing, slow your speed based on traffic conditions. If it's heavier traffic, slow down, give yourself more room between you and the person in front of you.

"Be patient and always adjust your driving to the driving conditions."

The Fort Knox community should be congratulated for going this long without a traffic fatality, Otalora said.

"I think if you look at Fort Knox overall, it's a community of caring," he said. "I think all of our (Department of Defense) employees as well as our uniform service members keep safety in the front of their minds and they understand the consequences of being careless."

"Fort Knox has gone (394) days without a fatality; this is great," Colson said. "Each day, we look forward to setting a new standard for our installation."