A 28-year-old Staff Sergeant and a 24-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Stewart, Georgia, died in a government motor vehicle (GMV) mishap 30 January 2025 on the installation at 1845 local. The lead vehicle (JLTV) in a two-vehicle LOGPAC was stopped on the road (improved dirt road) staging for movement when the road collapsed, and the JLTV rolled over into a standing body of water. The top-hatch was opened and the cabin filed with water immediately. The U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center is leading an investigation into the mishap.

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of five Soldiers a year to GMV mishaps. This mishap was the second and third GMV fatalities of FY25 and is equal to the number of fatalities for the same time last year.

Safety tip

Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) rollover mishaps have gradually increased over the past five years. These mishaps commonly occur while traveling to or from a range or other events. Mishap investigations have revealed that a significant number of the mishaps were due to the limited visibility of the vehicle afforded to the driver. Based on the unique characteristics of the JLTV it is most common to experience a fall-initiated rollover type, rather than maneuver-initiated type, when operating along roads near ditches, bridges, and culverts which incapable of handling the vehicle’s weight. Fall-initiated rollovers usually occur on unimproved roads, possibly near bodies of water where the road shoulders are soft

To mitigate the risk of a rollover ensure you address the top five rollover causes:

1. Driver Inexperience
2. Limited visibility
3. Following Too Close
4. Speeding
5. Fatigue
 

• Driver Training: Leaders must emphasize driver training because of the JLTV’s high center-of-gravity, high ground pressure, large balloon-style tires, and reduced visibility. The JLTV demands excellent driver skills and knowledge beyond that of most tactical-wheeled vehicles. JLTV operators must know how to operate vehicle equipment effectively in the most challenging environments. Challenge JLTV operators to use safe driving practices and increase awareness for accident avoidance IAW (TC) 21-305-7.


• Limited Visibility: An increasing number of rollovers occur during limited visibility when conditions involve dust, snow, rain or dark. Ensure that speed and vehicle intervals are adjusted to address conditions.


• Restricted Visibility: Often, the vehicle pillars and window size block the driver’s forward and peripheral vision of the driver, preventing observation of objects on the ground. The vehicle commander and other crew members must assist the driver in identifying objects in the driver's blind spots. The driver should anticipate approaching objects that may fall into their blind spots as they near them. If in doubt or if approaching a challenging obstacle, the vehicle commander, if applicable, should safely use a ground guide to assist the driver.


• Drop-offs, Ravines, and Eroded Washouts: These physical terrains are generally darker than the surrounding terrain at night, and it can be difficult to determine the depth of the drop. When encountering a suspected drop-off or ditch, the driver and VC should ensure they have a clear pathway through or around the feature. If a ground guide is not tactically feasible, the driver should slow speeds and cautiously approach unknown areas while adhering to the prescribed vehicle gross weight.


• NVDs: Leaders must ensure the vehicle operators are adequately trained and possess the ability to safely and effectively drive using night vision devices (NVDs). The vehicle driver and VC must have a clear understanding of the device's limitations and capabilities, for ambient (available) light, driving ability, proficiency with NVDs and familiarity with the terrain to ensure they can safely and effectively drive using night vision.


• Rollover Training: Leaders must ensure all occupants practice rollover procedures frequently. These drills should include degraded conditions such as doors blocked, injured personnel assessed requiring evacuation and limited visibility. Incorporate the potential for rollovers into risk assessments by assessing bridges and terrain along the route by:


• Being alert and using caution on roads close to canals.
• Allowing greater clearance when traveling along the edge of a road.
• Considering the probability of the road surface collapsing and pitching the vehicle.
• Ensuring that hazards are briefed to drivers before the mission and considering options for alternate or bypass routes.
• Rollover drills can be trained in static vehicles using the steps outlined in GTA 55-03-030.
• Training, Rehearsals, Pre-combat Checks and Pre-combat Inspections: These are key factors for mission success. Driver training is a key staple in any vehicle operation. The Joint Risk Assessment Tool (JRAT) can assist with the development of your deliberate risk assessment worksheet: https://jrat.safety.army.mil.


• The USACRC has Risk-Management Magazine articles on vehicle rollover prevention which can be found on the USACRC website: https://safety.army.mil/MEDIA/Risk-Management-Magazine/ArtMID/7428/ArticleID/7952/Preventing-Rollovers

 

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