Pentagon Police perform a riding skill demonstration during the Pentagon Motorcycle Safety Event, May 7, 2010, in the Pentagon North Parking lot. The event is to help enhance motorcyle safety awareness for new, old and non riders. (Defense Department photo/Petty Officer 1st Class Molly A. Burgess)
by Master Sgt. Amaani Lyle
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
5/6/2011 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- As the summer brings warmer temperatures, Airmen should remain vigilant in taking safety precautions in all activities, and particularly on motorcycles, officials said here May 6.
In a 2011 Year of Motorcycle Safety dual-signature memorandum to Airmen, the assistant secretary for installations, environment and logistics and the Air Force vice chief of staff recently stressed the special cautions riders must take on motorcycles, with specific attention to speed, reckless driving and alcohol use.
"Riding motorcycles is an exhilarating form of transportation and recreation, which also has a higher level of inherent risk," Assistant Secretary Terry Yonkers wrote in the memorandum. "Airmen, both military and civilian, who choose to ride motorcycles must do everything to mitigate these tasks every time they ride."
According to the Air Force Safety Center, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., motorcycle fatalities have risen 150 percent from January to March 2011, compared to the same period last year.
"These losses are unacceptable for our Air Force," said Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Philip Breedlove in the memorandum, adding that the service has already suffered one permanent total disability and five fatal motorcycle mishaps.
The safety reports indicated that all incidents had two common causal factors: the absence of automobile involvement and the rider losing control of his motorcycle.
"Our goal is to have zero preventable motorcycle mishaps and fatalities," said Maj. Gen. Greg Feest, the Air Force Chief of Safety and Air Force Safety Center commander. "I encourage senior leadership, commanders, supervisors and riders to get actively involved in support of this effort."
As such, General Breedlove underscored the importance of motorcycle safety mentorship to include wing-level activities that foster positive riding attitudes, behaviors and build necessary riding experience.
The safety initiative mandates that all military members complete an approved motorcycle safety rider course to operate on a roadway and that Air Force-led joint bases will provide basic rider course training without cost or delay to all service members.
Mr. Yonkers and General Breedlove expressed the criticality of fostering a culture of traffic safety culture for both the base population at large and the general public.
"Each rider is ultimately accountable for his or her individual safety decisions and we're counting on you to maintain your focus on safety," Mr. Yonkers said.
Comments
5/27/2011 1:23:22 PM ET I think this is awesome though zero preventable motorcycle mishaps and fatalities is a bit of an unachievable goal. With lots of distractions in their vehicles, motorcycles just get lost to drivers too easily. As well as training the motorcyclists, there should be some training for all drivers to raise awareness of this issue. Also, teach them additional rules of handling when motorcyclists are in the area.
John Coleman, Columbus OH
5/9/2011 9:52:46 PM ET Right on More of this needs to be done. The AF has always been on the forefront of this kind of thing. Makes me proud to be an AF vet.
Scott Foens, Marion IA
5/9/2011 7:37:34 PM ET I wonder if this will actually work its way down to the local level. I'm not hopeful. People still just fill squares.
