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This message is posted with the originator's permission. R 291901Z OCT 07 ZUI ASN-A00302000035 ZYB FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-00// TO ALCOAST BT UNCLAS //N05102// ALCOAST 506/07 COMDTNOTE 5102 A. COMDTINST M5100.47, CH 10, I.2.D AND I.9.G SUBJ: OFF-DUTY MOTOR VEHICLE MISHAPS 1. LAST NIGHT I RECEIVED ANOTHER CALL REPORTING THE DEATH OF A COAST GUARD MEMBER IN A SINGLE CAR ACCIDENT. SINCE LABOR DAY, WE HAVE LOST FIVE SHIPMATES IN OFF-DUTY MOTOR VEHICLE MISHAPS. IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS, OUR FOLKS HAVE HAD ALMOST 800 OFF-DUTY CAR, TRUCK, AND MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS. MOST WERE PREVENTABLE. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. IT RUNS COUNTER TO OUR CHARACTER AS GUARDIANS, IS DEVASTATING TO OUR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES, AND UNDERMINES OUR TREMENDOUS OPERATIONAL SUCCESS. 2. WE MUST HEAR AND HEED THE VOICES OF THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN SILENCED IN THESE ACCIDENTS - AND ACT. START BY KNOWING WHO YOUR AT-RISK SHIPMATES ARE, AND HOW THEY SPEND THEIR OFF-DUTY TIME. LEAD BY EXAMPLE, REGARDLESS OF RANK AND RATE AND FOSTER A CULTURE OF DOING THE RIGHT THING. PLAN AHEAD TO AVOID UNNECESSARY AND DEADLY RISK, AND HOLD SHIPMATES AND OURSELVES ACCOUNTABLE FOR OUR ACTIONS. WATCH EACH OTHERS BACKS. BE A TEAM. 3. NOW IS THE TIME TO TURN THE TIDE AND START PUTTING SAFETY FIRST. IN ADDITION TO THE TRAINING AND PPE REQUIREMENTS CONTAINED IN REF A, I AM DIRECTING THE FOLLOWING POLICY CHANGES, INCLUDING EFFECTING THESE GENERAL ORDERS: ALL MILITARY MEMBERS, INCLUDING RESERVISTS IN AN ACTIVE STATUS INCLUDING IDT AND ADT, ARE ORDERED TO WEAR SEAT BELTS WHEN AVAILABLE AND FUNCTIONING IN A MOVING CAR OR TRUCK, WHETHER THEY ARE ON OR OFF-DUTY. ADDITIONALLY, EVERY MILITARY MEMBER OPERATING OR RIDING AS A PASSENGER ON A MOTORCYCLE IS ORDERED TO WEAR A CERTIFIED PROTECTIVE HELMET. THESE ORDERS APPLY WHETHER THE MEMBER IS ON OR OFF-DUTY AND REGARDLESS OF ANY LESS RESTRICTIVE REQUIREMENTS IN CIVIL JURISDICTIONS. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE MANDATES MAY RESULT IN ADMINISTRATIVE AND/OR OTHER ACTION UNDER THE UNIFORM CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE. COMMANDING OFFICERS/OFFICERS-IN-CHARGE SHALL ENSURE THAT ALL MEMBERS IN THEIR COMMAND ARE AWARE OF THESE ORDERS, AND SHALL HOLD THOSE WHO FAIL TO FOLLOW THEM ACCOUNTABLE. 4. FOR PURPOSES OF LINE OF DUTY/MISCONDUCT DETERMINATIONS, FAILURE TO TAKE PROPER VEHICULAR SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND TO COMPLY WITH THESE ORDERS WILL BE CONSIDERED AS ONE OF POTENTIALLY SEVERAL FACTORS DURING LINE OF DUTY/MISCONDUCT DETERMINATIONS. ALTHOUGH A MEMBERS FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE ORDERS WILL NOT CREATE AN AUTOMATIC PRESUMPTION OF MISCONDUCT, A DETERMINATION OF NOT IN THE LINE OF DUTY BECAUSE OF A MEMBERS MISCONDUCT COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF IMPORTANT FINANCIAL AND OTHER BENEFITS TO THE SERVICE MEMBER AND/OR SERVICE MEMBERS FAMILY. 5. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED. 6. ADMIRAL THAD ALLEN, COMMANDANT, SENDS. BT |