Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

A Private assigned to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, died in a motorcycle mishap 14 August 2025 near Fort Shafter, Hawaii, at 0238 local. The Soldier was found at the scene on Highway 1 with no pulse by the Hawaii Police Department. He was transported to the Queen's Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Personal protective equipment use, training status, speed, and alcohol or drug use are currently unknown. Additional information is currently unavailable.

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of 30 Soldiers a year to motorcycle mishaps. This mishap was the 28th motorcycle fatality of FY25 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety Tips

Riding a motorcycle at night presents unique challenges, such as fatigue and visibility, that require extra precautions to ensure safety. When riding at night, consider the following tips to stay safe and alert.

• Stay Alert and Avoid Distractions – Fatigue can impair judgment and reaction time, so ensure you’re well-rested before embarking on night rides. Avoid distractions by securely storing mobile devices and focusing solely on the riding environment. Frequent short breaks can help keep you alert during longer rides.
• Use Reflective Gear and Accessories – Wearing reflective gear is one of the most effective ways to enhance your visibility to other road users. Consider investing in helmets, jackets and vests with reflective patches. Adding reflective tape to your motorcycle can also help increase visibility from various angles. The goal is to make yourself as noticeable as possible, catching the headlights of vehicles from a distance.
• Optimize Your Motorcycle's Lighting – Ensure your motorcycle’s headlights, brake lights and turn signals are functional before heading out for a night ride. Upgrading to LED bulbs can provide brighter illumination, and the addition of auxiliary lights can offer additional visibility when navigating poorly lit roadways.
• Maintain Safe Riding Practices – Nighttime riding demands extra attention to safe riding practices. Always use your turn signals before making turns or lane changes. Keep a safe distance from other vehicles and maintain appropriate speeds to allow ample reaction time for any unexpected events on the road.

A Specialist assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, died in a motorcycle mishap 5 September 2025, in Fayetteville, North Carolina, at 0750 local. The Soldier was riding his motorcycle when he collided with a turning school bus. Local authorities and emergency medical services personnel transported the Soldier to a local hospital, where he died. Additional information is currently unavailable. 

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of 30 Soldiers a year to motorcycle mishaps. This mishap was the 27th motorcycle fatality of FY25 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety Tips

Just as motorcycle lane position is a critical part of intersection management, so is making sure you’re visible to other drivers. Intersections are dangerous for motorcycle riders, but optimizing your visibility to other drivers can go a long way toward preventing mishaps and saving your life. Skilled motorcycle riding experts follow these best practices when approaching an intersection to maintain their vision of the road while also making sure everyone else has a good view of them.

• Metacognition – Put yourself in the driver’s seat of each of the vehicles around you and ask if they can see you. The answer to this question should always be “yes.”
• Presentation – Present yourself in a way that makes your presence as obvious as possible. When everyone is completely aware of your presence, it’s less likely that you’ll be involved in a motorcycle crash at an intersection.
• Lane Selection – Decide which lane to choose when you’re approaching a larger intersection. In most cases, motorcyclists find that the left lane is among the safest for them because we can easily be seen in that position. Staying in the left lane will help put extra distance between any other vehicles merging or turning onto your street.
• Motorcycle Lane Position – As a general rule, it’s best to stay in the third of the lane that allows you the best opportunity to see and be seen. You also need to choose a position that keeps you farthest away from the nearest vehicle. Choosing correct lanes and lane positions will give you more escape routes and more time to react. It’s important to make an informed decision about your lane positioning and how your position will help with your presentation to the other vehicles.
• Motorcycle Passing – Motorcyclists are at greater risk of getting lost in another driver’s blind spot. Presentation is especially important while passing. Think about the other drivers near you and where their blind spots are; stay aware of when other drivers might lose you in their own mirrors. Minimize the time you spend in another driver’s blind spot.
• Turning a Motorcycle at an Intersection – Avoid waiting until the last minute to set up for your turn, as we see crashes resulting from improper entry speed or lane position. Get into the correct lane in advance of your turn. Once you get into the correct lane, it’s also time to reconsider your positioning within the lane. Plan the line selection of your turn in advance and make sure you have enough space to execute the turn successfully.

A 27-year-old Sergeant and a 20-year-old Private First Class assigned to the same unit at Fort Hood, Texas, died in an automobile mishap 27 August 2025 near Lampasas, Texas, at 1940 local. The Soldiers were traveling together when they were involved in a multi-vehicle accident that resulted in a post-crash fire. Additional information is currently unavailable. 

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of 36 Soldiers a year to automobile mishaps. These were the 28th and 29th automobile fatalities of FY25 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety Tips

You can help prevent a potential head-on collision before it occurs. The National Safety Council has developed a lifesaving method for drivers to use: The four Rs.

• Read the road ahead. Scan ahead to the top of the next hill, curve or intersection to recognize hazards. This will help you see and react faster if an oncoming vehicle crosses the centerline. Also, check the shoulder of the road to see if you’ve got room to pull over. Watch the space between the left-front tire of any approaching vehicle and the centerline. If the spacing is becoming smaller, that vehicle may be about to stray into your lane.
• Drive to the right. Drive slightly to the right of center of your lane to create an extra space between you and other vehicles. On multi-lane roadways, leave one lane to the left open. When facing a head-on collision, drive right, onto the shoulder. Never swerve into the left lane. If the other driver instinctively pulls their vehicle back into the proper lane, you’ll have a collision in that lane.
• Reduce your speed. If you see a hazard ahead, immediately reduce your speed. This gives you extra time and gives the oncoming driver time to recover and move back into the correct lane. Don’t slam on the brakes or swerve. And never stop your vehicle. If you stop completely, you may be struck from behind and potentially pushed forward into the oncoming vehicle.
• Ride off the road. If you have to choose between a head-on collision and riding onto the shoulder, your chances of survival are much better on the shoulder. If you must hit something, steer your vehicle to hit the object with a glancing blow rather than head-on. Every inch off center reduces the impact of the collision and increases your chance for survival.

Tips provided by the National Safety Council

For additional information on motor vehicle safety, explore the following:

• Off-Duty Safety Awareness Presentation (ODSAP) "In the Spotlight Series" for Private Motor Vehicles (PPTX, ~450MB)
• Safety Shorts: Your Best Crash Defense

A Sergeant assigned to Fort Bliss, Texas, died in a motorcycle mishap 8 August 2025 on the installation at 0630 local. Soldier No. 1 was en route to morning physical training when his motorcycle was struck head-on by a passenger vehicle operated by Soldier No. 2. Soldier No. 1 was transported to a local hospital, where he died five days later. Reportedly, Soldier No. 2 was operating the vehicle in the opposing direction of traffic. Additional information is currently unavailable.

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of 30 Soldiers a year to motorcycle mishaps. This mishap was the 26th motorcycle fatality of FY25 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety Tips

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) states that, on average, about 360 people die each year as a result of wrong-way collisions.

If you are driving the wrong way:

1. Don't Panic: Remain calm to ensure you can think clearly and act appropriately.
2. Pull Over Safely: As soon as you realize you're going the wrong way, pull over to the side of the road, preferably the shoulder, as quickly and safely as possible.
3. Hazard Lights On: Turn on your hazard lights to alert other drivers to your presence.
4. Turn Around Carefully: If traffic conditions allow and it's safe to do so, find a safe location to turn your vehicle around and proceed in the correct direction. Avoid making dangerous maneuvers or blocking the road.
5. Avoid Driving While Impaired or Distracted: Wrong-way driving incidents are often linked to impaired driving or driver distraction. Always prioritize focused and sober driving.
6. Call for Help if Needed: If the situation is too dangerous to turn around safely, such as in heavy traffic, or if you are on a busy main road, consider calling for assistance, like a tow truck or the police, to help guide you to a safe turnaround point.

If you encounter a wrong-way driver:

1. Stay Alert and Maintain Awareness: Constantly scan 10-15 seconds ahead to anticipate the road ahead and your surroundings to anticipate potential hazards, including wrong-way drivers. This will help you maintain control of your vehicle and reduce the likelihood of wrong-way collisions, which often occur at high speeds on freeways and divided highways.
2. Be a Defensive Driver: Drive defensively at all times and be mindful of the possibility that a wrong-way driver could enter your path. Be extra cautious when driving at night or during periods of low visibility, as this is when wrong-way accidents are most likely to occur.
3. Move to the Right: Wrong-way drivers often mistakenly believe they are in the correct lane and tend to drive in what's actually your left lane. Move to the rightmost lane or shoulder to create space between your vehicle and the wrong-way driver.
4. Don't Swerve into Oncoming Traffic: Swerving into another lane, especially oncoming traffic, could lead to a more dangerous situation.
5. Use Your Horn and Lights: Try to get the wrong-way driver's attention by honking your horn and flashing your headlights. They may be confused and unaware of their mistake.
6. Call 911 (or local emergency number): As soon as it's safe to do so, pull over and report the wrong-way driver to the authorities. Provide details such as the location, direction of travel and vehicle description.

Tips provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

A 21-year-old Specialist assigned to Rose Barracks, Germany, died in an automobile mishap 5 August 2025 near Freihung, Germany, at 2045 local. The Soldier’s vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree, resulting in a post-crash fire. Additional information is currently unavailable.

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of 36 Soldiers a year to automobile mishaps. This mishap was the 27th automobile fatality of FY25 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety Tips

Understanding German Traffic Rules and Regulations

As you prepare to hit the roads in Germany as an American driver, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the traffic rules and regulations in this country. Germany has its own set of road laws, signs and driving customs that may differ from what you’re used to in the United States. To ensure a smooth and safe driving experience, here are some key aspects to keep in mind:

• Follow the Right of Way: In Germany, the right of way is strictly enforced. Always yield to vehicles approaching from the right, even at intersections without stop signs or traffic lights.
• Observe Speed Limits: German roads are known for their autobahns, where some sections have no speed limits. However, there are areas with specific speed limits posted, such as construction zones and urban areas, which must be adhered to.
• Use Turn Signals: Indicating your intentions with turn signals is mandatory in Germany. Always use your signals when changing lanes or making turns to ensure the safety of other drivers.
• Keep a Safe Distance: Maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you is crucial in Germany. The general rule of thumb is to stay at least a two-second distance from the car ahead to allow for ample braking time.
• Observe Traffic Signs: Familiarize yourself with German traffic signs and markings, as they may differ from those in the United States. Pay close attention to speed limits, no-entry signs and parking restrictions.
• Avoid Distracted Driving: Using mobile phones while driving, even for navigation purposes, is strictly prohibited in Germany. Ensure that you have a hands-free device or a designated co-pilot to assist with navigation.

By understanding and adhering to these traffic rules and regulations, you can drive safely and confidently on German roads as an American driver. It’s essential to stay alert, obey the laws and be mindful of the differences in road rules to ensure a smooth driving experience during your time in Germany.

Tips provided by the Know Germany blog.