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Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

MEDIA Preliminary Loss Reports

About Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

PLRs are intended to be used as an engagement tool for leaders to discuss the hazards and trends impacting Soldier safety and readiness. A PLR contains only basic information, as the investigation is ongoing, but provides sufficient background to allow leaders an opportunity to communicate risk at the Soldier level.

 

PLR 24-046 - PMV-2 Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, PMV-2

A 22-year-old Sergeant assigned to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, died in a PMV-2 mishap in Clarksville, Tennessee, at local. The Soldier was returning to CQ duty on his motorcycle when he was involved in an accident with a civilian vehicle. A witness called 911, and the Clarksville Police Department and Tennessee Highway Patrol responded to the scene. The Soldier was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. He was licensed, had completed the required Motorcycle Safety Foundation training and was wearing his personal protective equipment. Speed or alcohol use is currently unknown.

Since FY19, the Army has lost an average of 28 Soldiers a year to PMV-2 mishaps. This mishap was the 15th PMV-2 fatality of FY24 and above the number of fatalities for the same time last year.

 

 

PLR 24-043 - PMV-2 Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, PMV-2
A 26-year-old Sergeant assigned to Fort Drum, New York, died in an on-duty PMV-2 mishap 27 March 2024 at 1250 local. The Soldier was conducting an annual check ride when he lost control and impacted the guardrail. New York State Police (NYSP) and emergency medical personnel responded and pronounced the Soldier dead at the scene. The Soldier was licensed and had completed the motorcycle foundation training and was wearing personal protection equipment. Speed or use of alcohol are currently unknown. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for NYSP to release its final report.

Since FY19, the Army has lost an average of one Soldier a year to on-duty PMV-2 mishaps. This mishap was the first on-duty PMV-2 fatality of FY24 (along with 13 off-duty PMV-2 fatalities) and above the number of on-duty PMV-2 fatalities for the same time last year.
 

 

PLR 24-042 - PMV-2 Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, PMV-2

A 28-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Stewart, Georgia, died in a PMV-2 mishap in Hinesville, Georgia, at local. The Soldier was riding his motorcycle when he was struck by a civilian vehicle. He was ejected from his bike, impacting the ground headfirst. The Hinesville Police Department (HPD) responded to the scene. The Soldier was transported to the local hospital, where he died from his injuries. He had a valid motorcycle endorsement, completed the Fort Stewart Motorcycle Basic RiderCourse in October 2023 and was wearing personal protective equipment. Speed and alcohol were not suspected to be contributing factors.

Since FY19, the Army has lost an average of 28 Soldiers a year to PMV-2 mishaps. This mishap was the 13th PMV-2 fatality of FY24 and above the number of fatalities for the same time last year.

Safety tip

Top Seven Tips for New Motorcycle Riders Looking to Avoid Needless Risks & Stay Safe by Motorcycle Guy

Motorcycles are fun and there’s nothing like powering down winding roads by yourself with the wind in your face. But bikes can be much riskier than cars when things go down. If you’re new to riding, you will want to learn how to ride with less chance of injuries.

The idea is to strengthen the odds in your favor by avoiding needless risks and by training to be always alert and ready for any situation.

1. Dress protectively.

Clothes designed with protections can shield you from onrushing wind, insects and street debris as you plow ahead. Waterproof jackets will keep rain from thoroughly soaking you on the road. Along with a full helmet, a pair of good boots, gloves and a jacket can help cushion your fall and lessen scrapes in the event.

Biking gloves feature reinforcements to protect your hands and will also help you get a better grip on the handles and controls. The motorcycle gloves either vent heat and air for comfort during warm seasons or are insulated to keep out the cold. Multi-season jackets can be worthwhile as they will shield your torso against turbulent winds and can protect your skin from worse scrapes during falls. Tip: On longer rides, you would be wise to put on the best motorcycle boots to protect your ankles.

You also cannot go wrong with an additional pair of lightweight goggles to protect your eyes. Speaking of sight, most car drivers who have been in accidents with motorcycles frequently claim not to have seen them. It follows that you should wear clothes and accessories that come in brilliant and easy-to-see colors.

2. Put on a helmet.

You will have noticed that most bikers wear helmets and many are dressed in road wear. That’s because those without helmets on during crashes are more likely to suffer fatal injuries and are far more exposed to long-term brain damage. Always wear a helmet each time you go off, no matter how short the trip.

Helmets also help to reduce noises from the wind and surroundings, which lessens fatigue. Half or brain-cap helmets feature much less protection than full types or those with flip-up visors. In any case, keeping a helmet unlocked is almost the same as having none on when spills happen, so use one properly!

DOT-certified models that protect the face are your best bets, like Fuel’s affordable full-face model. Other helmet ratings like Snell are a plus and will point you to well-designed and robust models that are light and comfortable.

3. Get a bike you can readily handle.

If it’s been some time since you have last ridden, you might find astounding performance in the newest bikes. If you’re buying one, make sure that you can readily mount it with both feet flat on the pavement, without need to balance yourself once seated. Grip levers and handlebars must be easily reachable. If the bike feels too heavy, it probably won’t suit you.

Smaller twin-block engines of up to 300 cc with smooth and predictable power delivery are good for beginners or for daily riders. If you will be gliding the highways a lot, a bigger engine of up to 750 cc will provide you power to readily merge into exit traffic. See:

The Best Motorcycles Perfect For Beginner Riders [2024 Edition] - BestBeginnerMotorcycles

4. Balance your stance on the go.

If it is your first time to be riding your bike in traffic, it won’t be surprising if you find yourself somewhat stiff and working your muscles more than necessary. A taut stance is not the best, because squeezing your knees hard on the frame and grabbing the handles too tightly will have you ride poorly. With this style of riding, you will tire out quickly.

If you are tight on the handlebars, you will steer badly as well. It’s important to be moderate on the throttle or easy on the clutch and brakes to get many maneuvers right. When turning, you should try to balance on the frame by shifting your body slightly, and it helps to relax a little while doing so.

5. Tighten down low, loosen up high.

The best way to stay seated is to hold the bike’s frame using your thighs and knees. It is not in how you grip the handlebars or lean on them. You should be using your hands to steer, throttle and brake as well as signal to others.

Hold onto the frame with your lower body and legs in a comfortable yet firm stance that joins you to the bike below your waistline. Keep your upper torso much more flexible and relaxed. Flexing your arms at the handlebars does work to dampen street bumps and rumbles reaching you via the front fork.

6. Practice riding.

It is a smart idea to join up with one or two helpful riders. With patient friends, you can see how they turn and brake as well as pass cars and obstacles, gaining confidence as you learn from them. You do not want to force the learning process, and your initial goal is to find out how to ride roads safely with cars around.

If you are always alert to your surroundings, you’ll avoid many painful surprises. As you learn you spot problems from farther away, you’ll be better able to angle your turns with less steering and with more stability on the go.

7. Play defense always.

The majority of accidents happen when bikers neglect the dangers ahead and around them. There’s a wise saying, “ride as if you’re invisible.” This teaches riders not to rely on the competence and attention of drivers and other road users, especially in this age of distracted drivers using mobile devices.

Bikers have to always be alert and on the lookout for vehicles that can suddenly swerve across lanes or come from the sides. You should always keep a safe distance between you and vehicles ahead, with a few seconds worth of reaction time and braking distance to deal with any upcoming hazards. Spotting and anticipating what’s coming up increases your chances of escaping serious falls and injuries and is what defensive riding is all about.

 

 

PLR 24-038 - PMV-2 Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, PMV-2

A 34-year-old Master Sergeant assigned to Fort Knox, Kentucky, died from a PMV-2 mishap in Rincon, Georgia, at local. The Soldier was riding his motorcycle when he was cut off by another motorist and struck the vehicle’s rear. Law enforcement and emergency medical services responded to the scene and airlifted the Soldier to a local hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery. He was taken off life support and died five days later. The Soldier was wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment, completed the required Motorcycle Safety Foundation training. Speed and alcohol were not contributing factors. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for law enforcement to release its final report.

Since FY19, the Army has lost an average of 28 Soldiers a year to PMV-2 mishaps. This mishap was the 12th PMV-2 fatality of FY24 and above the number of fatalities for the same time last year.

Safety tip

Motorcycling can never be done risk-free. With that said, you can decrease your chance of experiencing an accident or getting into a motorcycle collision if you make an effort to do so. While some things will always be beyond your control, you should always do everything within your power to stay safe.

With that in mind, I wanted to take a closer look at some of the things you can do to stay safe while riding your motorcycle. These tips and techniques won’t ensure you’ll avoid a collision, but they should help.

Check the Weather Before You Ride

Weather can play a significant role in your safety when riding. If you’re out during heavy precipitation, then visibility for both you and other motorists decreases dramatically. This can greatly increase your likelihood of getting into an accident or collision.

A simple check of the weather before you ride is all you need. If there’s a chance of rain, it doesn’t mean you can’t ride, but it might impact the gear you wear on that ride.

If, however, you see some severe weather conditions coming up, then it would be in your best interest to stay home.

Scan for Potential Hazards

Hazards are everywhere on the road. Even things that might not seem like hazards for any other motorist can spell disaster for motorcyclists. Here’s a look at some of the most common road hazards for motorcycle riders:

  • Railroad crossings
  • Loose gravel
  • Potholes
  • Oil slicks
  • Wet surfaces
  • Animals
  • Road debris

One type of road debris that has received a lot of attention lately is grass clippings. It might seem silly, but freshly cut grass clippings can wreak havoc on your motorcycle’s tires’ ability to get proper grip on the road. This can lead to you going down when you least expect it.

Usually, grass clippings are just left by a careless homeowner or lawn-care service, but that doesn’t stop these grass clippings from being a serious hazard. This has led a lot of motorcyclists to ask, “Is it illegal to leave grass clippings on the road?” The answer depends on the laws in your particular area. I’ll let a member of Spaulding Injury Law describe how this pertains to the law in the video below:

In short, some places have laws that prohibit homeowners and law service personnel from depositing grass clippings on the road. Other places don’t. I urge you to check your local laws, so you know for sure.

Make Sure You’re Seen

Most motorcycle accidents aren’t the rider’s fault. Quite often, a driver of a car, SUV, or truck simply doesn’t see the motorcyclist. While this is their fault, there are also some things a motorcycle rider can do about it.

Focus on being seen. This can start with your gear and your bike itself. You want your bike to get noticed. Lights and reflectors are very good things. When it comes to gear, you need to have reflective material on your gear and preferably bright, easy-to-see colors. Neon colors work best.

Also, when riding, think about your lane position. There is no one lane position that is right all of the time. You need to choose the correct lane position for the situation, and the correct lane position is the one where other motorists can easily see you.

Ride Responsibly and Appropriately

This one is a bit obvious, but never, ever under any circumstance, ride while intoxicated or under the influence. It’s a recipe for disaster and could lead to your death or the death of others.

Riding responsibly is not just about not riding under the influence. It’s also about riding within the speed limit, avoiding silly stunts, or generally acting like an idiot on the road.

Also, make sure to ride appropriately for a specific situation. If it’s raining or traffic is heavy, avoid any aggressive maneuvers. Take things slow and easy while you’re out there. Assess the roads and your surroundings, and then respond appropriately.

Always Have an Escape Route

One thing you should always do no matter where you ride is to always have an escape route. This means you should be able to exit your lane or position at a moment’s notice. It’s your go-to if a car cuts you off or brakes unexpectedly.

Plan your escape routes as you ride. Look for wide shoulders or a middle lane that you could pull into if needed. Also, keep an eye on gaps between cars and between other bikes. These can be how you can get to your escape routes when things are tight.

Keep a Cushion

Having a cushion when riding is key. This applies not only to the car in front of you but the vehicles and obstacles on all sides of you. It’s best to have at least a two-second cushion in front of you (usually a little longer).

When it comes to either side of your bike, just make sure you’re not pinned in by motorists on either side of you. Remember, you want to keep your escape routes open. Sometimes, this will mean speeding up. Other times this will mean you need to slow down.

By keeping your distance and always having a cushion between you and the cars and motorcycles around you, you’ll have time to react quickly to the unexpected.

Keep Up on Your Riding Skills

I’d advise every single person on a motorcycle to take a motorcycle safety course. In these courses, professionals teach you the best tricks they’ve learned over thousands of miles traveled.

While an initial safety course is important, it’s equally important to keep up on your riding skills. I’d urge you to take an intermediate or advanced rider’s course. These courses go beyond what instructors can teach you in a beginner class, and the tips and techniques you’ll learn will help you not only to be safe but become a better and smoother rider overall.

Finally, nothing makes up for practice. The issue with a lot of riders is that they never practice their panic stops or tight cornering or obstacle avoidance. If you don’t practice your skills, you’ll never perfect them.

Information provided from an Article by Wade Theil writing for Web Bike World

 

 

PLR 24-028 - PMV-2 Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, PMV-2

A 23-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Liberty, North Carolina, died in a PMV-2 mishap in Aberdeen, North Carolina, at local. The Soldier was attempting to pass a vehicle on the highway when he struck the passenger side of another vehicle turning into traffic. Law enforcement and emergency medical services responded to the scene and transported the Soldier to the local regional hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The Soldier was wearing personal protective equipment, completed the Basic RiderCourse and had a valid motorcycle endorsement. Speed or the involvement of alcohol as contributing factors is unknown. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for law enforcement to release its final report.

Since FY19, the Army has lost an average of 28 Soldiers a year to PMV-2 mishaps. This mishap was the 11th PMV-2 fatality of FY24 and above the number of fatalities for the same time period last year.

Safety tip

Strategies for passing safely

1. No unnecessary risks
First, ask yourself why you want to pass. Are you on your motorcycle because you’re trying to get somewhere or because you enjoy the ride? If it’s the latter, maybe it’s best to find that peaceful pace that flows with other motorists rather than racing past them.

In most circumstances, if you decide not to pass someone, you’ve reduced your exposure to potential danger.

2. Key steps to passing
Total abstinence from overtaking isn’t too likely for most riders, so let’s consider how to pass safely and effectively. That means employing this basic blueprint for every maneuver you make:

  1. Constantly scan the road ahead and behind, in both the overtaking lane and the cruising lane.
  2. Signal your intention to pass
  3. Initiate the maneuver while accelerating.
  4. Swing wide around the vehicle you’re passing.
  5. Once you have sufficient room in front of the vehicle you’re going around, signal your merge back to the original lane.
  6. Merge and decelerate to the desired speed.

That’s the basic outline for safe passing and should be used for every overtaking maneuver. Yet, there’s a lot of nuance in the details and varying circumstances of some situations.

3. ‘Gas it’ or ‘roll on’?
When overtaking another motorist, you’re faced with a decision to either roll on the throttle to build some speed, or to downshift, hit the gas and use a more sudden burst of acceleration to pass.

Which is the best? The downshift-and-gas-it method is better because it typically carries less momentum into the situation, making it easier to abort the pass if the situation changes.

Building speed before initiating the pass consumes time. Plus, it usually means you’re going pretty fast by the time you’re swinging wide to make the pass. If conditions suddenly change – such as an oncoming vehicle or a change in speed of the vehicle you’re attempting to pass – you can be forced to take evasive action at the very moment you’re committed with maximum speed.

The solution: pass decisively and quickly, utilizing your motorcycle’s ability to accelerate.

4. Passing with a passenger
The strategy changes when overtaking while your motorcycle is loaded with a passenger or the weight of extra gear. If your bike is fully loaded, ride with the premise that you’re not going to pass unless it’s necessary. A loaded motorcycle takes more time to accelerate and decelerate.

For those occasions when you must pass while riding fully loaded, avoid the ‘gas it’ method in favor of building speed before initiating the maneuver. A fully loaded motorcycle doesn’t accelerate quickly enough.

Use the same rationale as passing unloaded: use the method that consumes the least amount of time for the whole passing process. With a loaded motorcycle, the building-speed method is generally the quickest.

5. Passing in farm country
A ride through rural Pennsylvania or Wisconsin can make you acutely aware of the pitfalls associated with passing slow-moving farm machinery.

Someone driving farm equipment like a tractor or combine poses added challenges and danger to a motorcyclist. This equipment is usually wide and can hang into a second lane. Sometimes operators can’t see or aren’t paying attention to motorists behind them; they might not have working lights or turn signals; their equipment is cumbersome and can sling dirt onto the road, and they might abruptly turn into fields without a marked or visible driveway.

Pay attention to these dangers for clues to directional changes a farmer might make in his/her route, such as the telltale sign of dirt chunks going into and out of fields, as well as other equipment being operated in upcoming fields.

6. Passing safely in a group
If you’re among a group of riders who are about to pass a motorist, agree in advance on how the group will or will not pass and follow that guidance while still making your own safety decisions.

It is a mistake to blindly follow the lead of the rider in front of you. For starters, that rider might have very different sensibilities than you about what constitutes a safe situation for passing. Secondly, even if the situation was safe for his or her pass, it might have changed by the time you’re ready to do so.

The best approach is to employ the same strategies and sensibilities used when riding solo. If you’re riding within a group and decide to pass a motorist, be extra cautious to look behind you before swinging wide. Others in the group behind you might not share your same caution and could decide to pass before it’s their turn.

7. How to get passed
How to handle occasions when you’re the one getting passed? It’s best to leave your ego at the door, do your scan of the situation and allow the pass to occur as safely as possible.

If you think the situation is safe and OK for passing, stay the course and don’t make any changes. But be prepared to change that tactic and have a plan for it. If you see a motorist roll out to pass, then look at all the factors on the road.

You want them to have a choice to go in front of you as well as the ability to change their decision and come in behind you. That might mean changing position in the lane to free up space and slowing down.

Additional tips on passing safely
Here are a few more valuable tips for safe passage:

  • If you’re about to pass another vehicle, always check behind you before initiating the move to ensure that a motorist behind you isn’t doing the same thing at that exact moment.
  • In most states, a motorcycle owns the entire lane. So if you’re passing another motorcyclist, be sure to pass them in a different lane instead of using the same lane.
  • When riding in multiple traffic lanes, always try to pass on the left whenever possible. If it’s just you, it’s OK to pass on the right. But if you’re riding in a group, passing should occur on the left.
  • Be wary of anything that’s out of the ordinary that could result in other motorists’ sudden directional changes. Likewise, if you’re near a tourist attraction or other popular landmark, be prepared for last-second maneuvers by other drivers. And always consider someone driving slowly as a possibility for a non-signaled, unsafe U-turn.
  • In a nutshell, be cautious, be aware and be thoughtful about your environment.

 

Tips provided by Harley Davidson Motorcycle @ Harley-Davidson.com.

 

 
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