NAPLES, Italy — Of all the summer activities military personnel in the Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia Region participate in this year, one stands above the rest as the most consistently dangerous and fatal – riding a motorcycle. Although both the military and U.S. Department of Transportation have put an increased emphasis on motorcycle safety, military personnel continue to be involved in a large number of fatal and non-fatal motorcycle accidents.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, between 1997 and 2007 motorcycle fatalities have increased 31 percent, while passenger cars fatalities have decreased by the same percentage. Accompanying these numbing statistics are facts from the Naval Safety Center. In 2009, sailors and Marines were involved in 86 fatal personal motor vehicle accidents; 26 of which occurred between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the Summer Season.
Even though the number of fatal accidents is high, sailors and Marines were involved in 40 percent fewer fatal, summertime motorcycle accidents in 2009 than the previous year. This dramatic decrease has a direct correlation to the Navy’s effort to bring awareness to motorcycle rider safety.
“Riding a motorcycle in Europe can be even more dangerous than riding in the U.S.,” said Jim Dickinson, the Naval Support Activity, Naples, Italy, safety officer who has been riding a motorcycle in Europe for 11 years. “It is legal to split lanes here, which is only legal in two states. Local drivers also split lanes with cars and drive on shoulders; when you round corners there may very well be a vehicle coming at you in your lane. Drivers don’t stop at the normal stop line either. They come into the intersection in order to see around illegally parked cars.”
The Navy offers three safety courses to help ensure motorcycle riders are prepared for all types of potential riding hazards and conditions; the Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic Rider Course, the MSF Experience Rider Course, and the MSF Military Sportbike Rider Course.
“The military’s motorcycle safety courses are successful because they are mandatory and enforceable,” said Dickinson, a MSRC instructor. “In Naples, your gas coupons can be shut off for not completing the course. Also, most military look out for other riders and talk to them about riding habits.”
The BRC is mandatory for all military motorcyclists and designed for beginning riders. The course consists of approximately five hours of classroom instruction and 10 hours of riding exercises in a controlled environment. For those personnel who do not yet own gear, a loaner motorcycle and helmet are provided for use during the course. The MSRC, which was developed in 2008, is a similar course, but focuses on sportbikes and the dangers these light and powerful bikes create.
Along with attending the safety courses offered by the Navy, service members should also ensure they are wearing the proper safety gear while riding a motorcycle. These items include sturdy, leather boots or over-the-ankle shoes; pants or jeans; a long-sleeved shirt or jacket; leather motorcycle gloves; a reflective vest; and most importantly a Department of Transportation approved helmet.
“Dress for the crash and to be seen, not the comfort of the weather,” said Dickinson. “Stay hydrated and ride within your individual skill limits, not the group you’re riding with. And most importantly, always look out for the other drivers.”
NHTSA estimates that helmets saved the lives of 1,829 motorcyclists in 2008. If all motorcyclists had worn helmets, an additional 823 lives could have been saved. All motorcycle helmets sold in the United States are required to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218, the performance standard which establishes the minimum level of protection helmets must afford each user. According to NHTSA, helmets are also estimated to be 37 percent effective in preventing fatal injuries to motorcycle riders and 41 percent for motorcycle passengers.
Riding a motorcycle does not have to be an unsafe summer activity. Taking the appropriate precautions and riding within each rider’s limits can help minimize accident potential. For more facts and tips about safely riding a motorcycle, visit the Navy Safety Center Web site at www.public.navy.mil/navsafecen/Pages.
Commander, Navy Region Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia is responsible for providing efficient and effective shore service support to U.S. and allied forces operating at our installations. For more information about Navy Region Europe, visit http://www.cnic.navy.mil/europe.
| Date Taken: | 07.13.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 07.13.2010 08:30 |
| Story ID: | 52747 |
| Location: | NAPLES, IT |
| Web Views: | 190 |
| Downloads: | 125 |
This work, Summer Sports Dangers: Motorcycling - The Third Story of a Five Part Series on the Hazards Associated With Summer Activities, by PO2 Marc Rockwell-Pate, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
