A 23-year-old Private First Class assigned to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, died in a PMV-4 mishap in Cibolo, Texas, at local. The Soldier was on holiday leave driving to a friend’s house when he lost control of his vehicle and ran into a ditch. It was reported the seat belt broke during the vehicle roll over. The Soldier was ejected and pinned under the vehicle. The involvement of speed and alcohol or drug use is currently unknown.
Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of 36 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the eighth PMV-4 fatality of FY25 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.
Safety tip
Loss of Control
Here are some of the primary causes of losing control of a vehicle:
Road Conditions
Dangerous road conditions include those caused by inclement weather. However, dangerous road surface conditions can also be caused by poor road maintenance, including potholes and missing guardrails.
The most common cause of a dangerous road surface, however, is heavy rain.
Distractions
There is a reason most states now ban talking or texting on a cell phone while driving. Drivers can also be distracted by a variety of things, including:
- Eating or drinking.
- Talking to a passenger.
- Moving objects or animals in the vehicle.
- A fussy child or animal.
- Using a navigation system.
- Messing with the entertainment system.
Any time a driver looks away from the road, there is a risk of losing control of the car and ending up in a car crash. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 3,000 people per year die as a result of somebody being distracted, and many of them are not in a vehicle. Younger drivers are more likely to become distracted.
Fatigue
One of the biggest causes of accidents is drowsy driving. It causes about 6,400 deaths and 328,000 crashes every year in the U.S. alone, and it's believed many deaths go unreported.
Driving while fatigued is the same as driving while drunk. If you have gone more than 20 hours without sleep, that's the equivalent of driving at the legal alcohol limit. Drowsy driving can also be caused by some prescription and even over-the-counter medications.
Car Malfunction
A malfunction of the car itself can also cause you to lose control of your vehicle. Brake failure is obviously one of the most common causes, but other mechanical failures that can cause accidents include:
- Defective tires. Tire punctures can also cause a loss of control.
- Worn suspension.
- Steering problems.
Malfunctions of automated systems such as advanced cruise control can potentially also cause an issue. Automated systems can also increase distracted driving if drivers become too reliant on them.
Inclement Weather
Bad weather conditions that can cause a loss of control include:
- Icy roads. Note that bridges may be icy when the main roadway is not. Weather conditions that hover around freezing are perfect for the creation of black ice, which matches the road color and can be very hard to see.
- Heavy rain can create a wet surface. This causes hydroplaning, where the car loses all grip. Due to how common it is, rain is the most dangerous weather condition.
- High winds. A high crosswind or gust can cause the car to go sideways across the road. Empty semis are the vehicle at most risk of losing control due to high winds, but high winds can affect SUVs and even passenger cars.
- Sand or debris. Debris on the road can cause you to lose control, or you might lose control while attempting to avoid the debris.
Inclement weather can be particularly hard to avoid.
Aggressive or Reckless Driving
This includes driving while under the influence of alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs. It also includes going too fast for the conditions, whether it's the type of road, the weather, or the levels of traffic.
Aggressive driving also includes road rage, where you become emotionally compromised and start to drive badly because you are angry at the actions of another driver.
Seat belt maintenance tips include:
- Regular inspection: Check for wear, fraying, or damage.
- Cleaning: Remove dirt, grime, and sweat using an all-purpose cleaner and a brush.
- Lubrication: Ensure smooth operation by lubricating the seat belt retractor.
- Functionality check: Periodically test the seat belts to ensure they retract properly.
- Professional inspection: Have a professional inspect the seat belts regularly.
- Replacement: Replace damaged or worn seat belts.