Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

A 21-year-old Private assigned to Fort Moore, Georgia, died in a PMV-4 mishap 2 January 2024 in Fayetteville, Georgia, at 2300 local. The Soldier was reportedly traveling on a two-lane road when he left the roadway and drove into a lake. The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) responded to the scene. The specific circumstances of the mishap, including, speed or seat belt use, are currently unknown. Alcohol was present, but it is unknown if it was a contributing factor. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for FCSO to release its final report.

Since FY19, the Army has lost an average of 35 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the 14th fatality of FY24 and above the number of fatalities for the same time last year.

Safety tip

Every day, about 37 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes — that's one person every 39 minutes. In 2021, 13,384 people died in alcohol-impaired driving traffic deaths — a 14% increase from 2020. These deaths were all preventable.

Driving after drinking is deadly. Yet it still continues to happen across the United States. If you drive while impaired, you could get arrested or, worse, be involved in a traffic crash that causes serious injury or death.

Impaired Driving

Driving a vehicle while impaired is a dangerous crime. Tough enforcement of drunk-driving laws has been a major factor in reducing drunk-driving deaths since the 1980s. Charges range from misdemeanors to felony offenses, and penalties for impaired driving can include driver’s license revocation, fines, ignition interlock devices at owner’s expense and jail time. It’s also extremely expensive. A first-time offense can cost the driver upwards of $10,000 in fines and legal fees.

Tips provided by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

A 25-year-old Sergeant assigned to Fort Liberty, North Carolina, died in a PMV-4 mishap 10 February 2024 in Harnett County, North Carolina, at 0430 local. The Soldier was traveling more than 100 mph when he crossed the centerline in a right-hand curve and struck a tree on the driver’s side of the vehicle. Local law enforcement and emergency medical services responded and pronounced the Soldier dead at the scene. The Soldier was wearing a seat belt. It is currently unknown if alcohol was a contributing factor. 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 35 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the 13th fatality of FY24 and above the number of fatalities for the same time last year.

Safety tip

Preventing Car Accidents on Dangerous Curves

Posted Warning Signs to Prevent Accidents
Most drivers are cautious and alert while driving; however, a driver may underestimate the risk posed by a curve in the road. To prevent a potential accident, signs are posted near dangerous curves.

• Curve and Corner Signs – A yellow-colored sign to warn drivers of a dangerous curve on the road ahead. These signs depict an illustration of the curve itself along with the most suitable speed for the vehicle to safely negotiate the curve.
• Chevron Arrows – Chevron arrows comprise a series of signs set up along the actual location of the curve. These signs start before the curve itself and show the direction of the curve.

Curve Awareness to Prevent Accidents

1. Be aware of the danger posed by a curve in the road. Whenever vehicles pass through a curve, the tires of the vehicle move forward due to acceleration and inertia. These opposing movements may cause the vehicle to skid, posing a danger to both the vehicle and the driver.
2. Reducing the speed of the vehicle when negotiating a curve along the road may prevent an accident. The road signs should serve as a warning to slow down before reaching the curve.
3. Avoid over-turning the wheel. When passing through the curve, move the vehicle along the edge of the lane opposite to the direction of the curve. For example, a vehicle should stay along the right of the lane in a left-curving road. This reduces the sharpness of the curve and reduces the chances of skidding.
4. Remain alert while passing through these curves. Be aware of drivers coming from the opposite direction.
5. Increase your speed only after you have passed the curve safely.

Tips provided by The Law Firm of Zappettini and Bradley.

A 26-year-old Sergeant assigned to the Army National Guard, Camp Mabry, Texas, in an inactive-duty status died in a PMV-4 mishap 25 January 2024 in Fort Worth, Texas, at 0230 local. When the Soldier did not report to first formation, the chain of command contacted the Soldier’s sister, who was able to receive a location from his phone. The detective assigned to the case confirmed the Soldier was involved in a fatal vehicle mishap. The specific circumstances of the mishap, including the mishap sequence, use of seat belt and speed or alcohol as contributing factors, are 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 35 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the 12th fatality of FY24 and above the number of fatalities for the same time last year.

An 18-year-old Private assigned to Fort Jackson, South Carolina, died in a PMV-4 mishap 1 January 2024 in Gaffney, South Carolina, at 0020 local. The Soldier was on block leave returning to the installation in a vehicle driven by a civilian. The vehicle crossed the centerline and collided with another vehicle traveling in the opposite direction. The South Carolina Highway Patrol responded to the scene and pronounced both the Soldier and driver dead. Reportedly the Soldier was wearing his seat belt but not the driver. Speed was likely a contributing factor. It is unknown if alcohol was involved.

Since FY19, the Army has lost an average of 35 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the 11th fatality of FY24 and above the number of fatalities for the same time last year.

Speeding and alcohol impairment often coincide; this varies with driver age. While 24% of speeding drivers under age 21 involved in fatal crashes are alcohol impaired (BAC = 0.08+ g/dL), 40% or more in the 21 to 54 age groups are impaired. The percent of alcohol-impaired drivers falls sharply to 33% among 55-64-year-old drivers and continues to decline as the driver’s age increases.

The proportion of speeding-related crashes to all fatal crashes in 2021 decreased as the age of the driver increased. The proportion of female drivers who were speeding is smaller than male drivers across all age groups. Young male drivers in the 15-20 and 21-24-year age groups were the most likely to be speeding at the time of fatal crashes. In 2021, at least 31% of male drivers in these age groups that were involved in fatal crashes were speeding at the time of the crash, compared to 19% of female drivers in these two youngest age groups.

Data provide by National Safety Council and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

A 21-year-old Private First Class assigned to Fort Liberty, North Carolina, died in a PMV-4 mishap 16 December 2023 at 1800 local. The Soldier was operating her vehicle when she struck a barrier at an unused access control point. Another Soldier driving came upon the mishap site and notified 911. Fort Liberty emergency medical services arrived on scene and transported the Soldier to the local hospital. Upon arrival, the Soldier was pronounced dead. Speed and alcohol were reported as contributing factors. It is unknown if the Soldier was wearing her seat belt. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for local law enforcement to release its final report.

Since FY19, the Army has lost an average of 35 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the 10th fatality of FY24 and above the number of fatalities for the same time last year.

Speeding is a major factor in traffic deaths and injuries. The role of speeding in crashes is described in terms of its effect on the driver, the vehicle and the road. Excessive speeding reduces the amount of time the driver has to react in a dangerous situation to avoid a crash, increases vehicle stopping distance, and reduces the ability of road safety structures (such as guardrails, impact attenuators, crash cushions, median dividers and concrete barriers) to protect vehicle occupants in a crash.

Speeding was a factor in 29% of all traffic fatalities in 2021, killing 12,330, or an average of over 33 people per day. The total number of fatal motor-vehicle crashes attributable to speeding was 11,057. A crash is considered speeding-related if the driver was charged with a speeding-related offense or if racing, driving too fast for conditions or exceeding the posted speed limit was indicated as a contributing factor in the crash.

2021 is the third consecutive year with an increase of speeding-related deaths. In addition, the percent of deaths involving speeding (29%) is above the historic low set in 2019 when 26% of deaths involved speeding. Speeding-related deaths increased 7.9% from 2020 and were the most deaths recorded since 2007.

The proportion of speeding-related crashes to all fatal crashes in 2021 decreased as the age of the driver increased. The proportion of female drivers who were speeding is smaller than male drivers across all age groups. Young male drivers in the 15-20 and 21-24 year age groups were the most likely to be speeding at the time of fatal crashes. In 2021, at least 31% of male drivers in these age groups that were involved in fatal crashes were speeding at the time of the crash, compared to 19% of female drivers in these two youngest age groups.

Alcohol-impaired driving continues to be one of the biggest safety issues on U.S. roads. In 2021, 13,384 people were killed in alcohol-impaired crashes, an increase of 14.2% from the 11,718 deaths in 2020 and the most deaths recorded since 2006. Alcohol-impaired driving crashes involve at least one driver or motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or higher.

About 16% of drivers in fatal crashes who test positive for alcohol fall below the 0.08 g/dL BAC legal limit. About half of the drivers in fatal crashes that test positive for alcohol have BACs of 0.16 g/dL or higher. The prevalence of positive BAC levels peak at the 0.16 and 1.17 g/dL levels and steadily decline as BAC levels increase.

Speeding and alcohol impairment often coincide; this varies with driver age. While 24% of speeding drivers under age 21 involved in fatal crashes are alcohol impaired (BAC = 0.08+ g/dL), 40% or more in the 21 to 54 age groups are impaired. The percent of alcohol-impaired drivers falls sharply to 33% among 55-64-year-old drivers and continues to decline as the driver’s age increases.

Data provide by National Safety Council and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.