TNS Article

TRADOC working to provide a safer ride for bikers

By Dave Prentice, Director/TRADOC Safety and Occupational Health

FORT MONROE, Va. (TRADOC News Service, Aug. 5, 2008) -- In a report released by the U.S. Department of Transportation, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) identified motorcycle fatalities as the nation’s greatest highway safety challenge. Nationwide, since 1997, motorcycle registrations have increased by 63 percent, while in the same period, motorcycle fatalities have increased by 127 percent.

NHTSA also found that while the greatest number of fatal accidents still involved younger riders under the age of 29, fatalities involving riders over 50 increased by 307 percent.

Army-wide, motorcycle fatality trends are as bad, if not worse, than those of the civilian population. While we haven’t accurately measured the increase in motorcycle registrations for Soldiers, we have counted the increase in fatal motorcycle accidents. Since 1997, motorcycle deaths have increased each year from 6 in 1997 to 44 in 2008 for a 733 percent comparative increase in motorcycle fatalities.

TRADOC’s experience during this period is similar with a 500 percent increase in motorcycle fatalities since 1997. What is unique to TRADOC is the rider population having the motorcycle accidents. Before 1997, most motorcycle accidents involved young Soldiers E-4 and below, 18 to 24 years old. Since 1997 that trend has changed significantly for TRADOC. Army-wide, the younger Soldiers, E-4 and below, under age 29, still accounts for better than three fifths of the motorcycle deaths. In TRADOC, however, it is the E-5 and above and over 30 motorcycle rider population that accounts for 75 percent of motorcycle deaths.

While one can argue that TRADOC does not have the same age and rank composition as the rest of the Army, and is thus predisposed to having a greater number of accidents involving leaders, we cannot ignore the fact that they are leaders nonetheless.

Over the past three years, motorcycle accidents have claimed the lives of 18 TRADOC Soldiers. Most of these accidents involved high performance motorcycles ridden by non-commissioned officers.

“The high performance motorcycles can take you from zero to fast really quickly,” said Greg Bourgeois, a safety manager and avid motorcycle rider at TRADOC. “When it comes to training, the Army normally takes the crawl, walk, run approach to things. When it comes to motorcycle riding, many who purchase motorcycles go straight to a dead sprint when they buy high performance motorcycles.” That’s a formula for disaster.

With the price of gasoline increasing, motorcycles have become an attractive alternative to more costly automobiles transportation for the commute to work. Increasing ridership means increased exposure to potential accidents unless we counter with strategies and initiatives to mitigate the associated hazards.

TRADOC continues to promote the safety of motorcycle riders by involving commanders and leaders. One TRADOC unique initiative requires each Soldier and DoD civilian rider to complete the motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle agreement in accordance with TRADOC Regulation 385-2. This rider agreement ensures riders are aware of their individual responsibilities and also gives leaders and supervisors visibility of who is riding motorcycles and ATVs.

Motorcycle Mentorship Programs are another way for involved leaders to raise safety awareness of motorcycle riders by providing a venue where experienced and novice riders can come together to promote overall motorcycle safety. According to Greg Bourgeois, “We look at this as a chance to build mentorship between experienced riders and new riders. If an experienced rider sees a younger rider doing something that is unsafe, it gives him an opportunity to explain to the less experienced rider what he is doing wrong and provide tips on how to ride safer.”

Unfortunately, even the most cautious motorcycle rider can become the victim of someone else’s careless behavior. When this occurs, the difference between minor injuries (coupled with a bruised ego) and DEATH is often the protective helmet and gear that the rider is wearing. DOT approved helmets provide the rider a fighting chance at survival in event of an accident. Leather jackets, long pants, gloves, and over-the-ankle boots can also go a long way toward reducing injuries to a rider involved in an accident.

Prevention of motorcycle accidents is a shared responsibility. Obviously, the individual rider bears the lion’s share but leaders and commanders must also play an important part.

The last and often silent partner in this prevention effort is the individual motor vehicle operator who shares the road with less visible and more vulnerable motorcyclists. Drivers must always remain alert for motorcycles and allow them their fair share of the road.

Together, we CAN and MUST stop this tragic trend.