A Specialist assigned to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, died in a PMV-4 mishap 8 November 2020 in Oahu, Hawaii, at 0050 local. The Soldier was traveling eastbound at a high rate of speed when he lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a utility pole, coming to rest against a tree. No other vehicles were involved. He and the Soldier riding as a passenger were pronounced dead at the scene. Local law enforcement reported that speed was an apparent factor. It is currently unknown if seat belts were worn or if drugs or alcohol were also factors.

Since 2016, the Army has lost an average of 33 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the third PMV-4 mishap of the year and resulted in the third and fourth fatalities of FY21.

For more than two decades, speeding has been involved in approximately one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities. In 2017, speeding was a contributing factor in 26% of all traffic fatalities.

Speed also affects your safety even when you are driving at the speed limit but too fast for road conditions, such as during bad weather, when a road is under repair or in an area at night that isn’t well lit.

Speeding is more than just breaking the law. The consequences are far-ranging, including:

-Greater potential for loss of vehicle control.

-Reduced effectiveness of occupant protection equipment.

-Increased stopping distance after the driver perceives a danger.

-Increased degree of crash severity leading to more severe injuries.

-Economic implications of a speed-related crash.

-Increased fuel consumption/cost.

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