WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFPN) -- It seems like every time you see a safety article, the focus is on the rider. However, commanders and supervisors have significant responsibilities for motorcycle safety and accident prevention.
I often find that commanders and supervisors didn't know the injured party was a rider or simply assumed the rider knew the rules.
Too many Air Force people die on motorcycles: 15 died in fiscal year 2005 and five more have died since the start of fiscal year 2006. The common factors in these fatalities are judgment and speed. Males ages 18 to 26 are most at risk of an accident.
I recently investigated an accident that resulted in injuries to the rider. Many knew the person was a rider and assumed he'd been trained. Unfortunately, he hadn’t been trained and didn't understand his responsibilities. He said he believed he only needed training to ride on base.
Commanders and supervisors can and must contribute to motorcycle accident prevention. Communication and proper training prevents unnecessary accidents and mitigates the severity of those that do occur.
Mentoring is a powerful tool available to commanders, supervisors and riders as you strive to prevent motorcycle accidents. Consider establishing a motorcycle safety focal point in your unit. Identify motorcycle riders during in-processing. Implement a process to identify current and potential riders in your unit. Talk to all riders about their responsibilities for training and use of personal protective equipment. Recommend that riders, regardless of experience level, seek and accomplish refresher training.
Don't assume your people are riding safely and are in compliance with Air Force regulations. Identify your riders and point them toward safer riding.