Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

A 23-year-old Private assigned to Fort Irwin, California, died in a PMV-2 mishap 4 June 2022 in Placentia, California, at 1258 local. The Soldier was riding his motorcycle with a group along Highway 57 when he was ejected from his bike after another rider clipped his rear tire. He was medically evacuated to the local hospital where he was later pronounced dead. The Soldier was wearing full personal protective equipment and had completed the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s Basic RiderCourse. Reportedly, speed, alcohol or drugs were not factors in the mishap, which is still under investigation by the California Highway Patrol.

Since 2017, the Army has lost an average of 25 Soldiers a year to off-duty PMV-2 mishaps. This mishap was the 18th off-duty PMV-2 fatality of FY22.


Motorcycle riding gives you an exhilarating feeling of being in the open air with the wind over your body. While riding alone is sometimes the goal, one of the best experiences you can have on a motorcycle is to ride in a group of close friends or family. Together, you can enjoy the scenery from the open road and arrive safely to your destination with a few suggested guidelines.

Motorcycle Group Riding Safety Tips

Consider the following safety precautions prior to departing on your motorcycle group-riding adventure.

Conduct a Pre-Ride Meeting
Preparation, before you leave your starting point, will allow the group to understand how to get to your final destination or to any stopping point along the way. Getting there safely is the primary goal, so deciding who leads the group is a key factor in the safety of the group. The leader should know the route the group will follow, and that leader should be able to explain it to all group members, show it on a map, and/or describe directions for the route.

It’s always advisable to provide each member with directions and/or a visual map of the route in case anyone is separated for any reason. Another point to be considered is if there are any tolls along the route. Either the leader should carry the toll amount for the whole group to reduce stops at the booth, or each member should be prepared to quickly pay the toll and get back on the road.

Decide on the Leader
The leader of the riding group should be one of the most, if not the most, experienced riders in the group. They will be the first person to encounter other traffic in the oncoming direction. They should know how to respond to other drivers on the road and be prepared to guide the other riding members safely through any situation the group comes across on their journey. The tail rider, or the last in the group, also needs to be more experienced. They could be separated by traffic conditions, and they can help any other members safely catch up and navigate traffic safely without losing other members of the group.

Restrict the Number of Group Members
Groups should stay to a maximum of five to seven riders for safety. Larger groups can easily bunch up on the road and become an obstacle unto themselves. Five would be a good number if the group was less experienced, and seven would be better if the group was more experienced. More riders do not necessarily mean there is more safety, and having too many riders can become dangerous as the group has limited flexibility to move on the road and navigate road debris and traffic. If the group has more riders than these numbers, consider breaking the whole group into sub-groups for more safety. Each group will have the lead and tail rider as mentioned above.

Ride Prepared
Safety is a primary concern for the journey. Someone in the group should carry a first-aid kit and a tool kit. Preference is that the same rider does not carry both in case they are separated from the group for any reason. The person carrying the first-aid kit should know first-aid (and preferably CPR) in order to treat any basic medical condition that could occur. Beyond those two items, every rider should carry a cellphone in case something comes up during the ride.

Motorcycle Group Riding Protocol
Now that you’re prepped and ready to hit the road, consider the following safety guidelines to ensure the smoothest group ride.

Ride in a Staggered Formation
During the ride, the group will encounter straight and curvy sections of road. In the straight section, the lead rider should take a position in the left third of the riding lane. This will give them the best ability to see around traffic ahead of the group and to monitor oncoming traffic or debris. The next or second rider will ride approximately one second behind the leader and in the right third of the lane. The third rider continues the trend riding in the left third of the lane one second behind the second rider and two seconds behind the leader. The riders behind that continue the pattern until the group is complete and staggered accordingly.

In a curvy section of road, each member should ride in a single-file line approximately two seconds apart. The spacing and lane position can be adjusted accordingly for safety, but this should give each member time to adjust to any other traffic and changing conditions. One thing to note is that riding side by side should never be done, as it doesn’t allow either rider the option to move carefully within the lane to avoid other traffic or road debris. There will be too much opportunity for the riders to contact each other. In conditions with limited visibility or other constraints, consider which of the formations (staggered or single file) will provide the safest condition for the riders and choose it accordingly.

Pass Vehicles Safely (Overtaking)
There will come a time when one needs to pass a vehicle traveling in the lane in front of them. To safely pass the vehicle, do so one motorcycle at a time. Obviously, the leader will go first, but each rider successive will need to position themselves in the left third of the lane prior to starting the overtaking maneuver. Riders behind the one making the pass will need to adjust their lane position to keep a proper following distance and in the correct pattern in case the passing opportunity dries up.
If a portion of the group is only able to make the pass, the remaining riders need to adjust their position to assume the correct riding pattern until the next passing opportunity presents itself. As each member passes the vehicle in question, they do need to keep their speed up and allow a gap to form behind them and the vehicle they passed. This gap is necessary for the next rider to safely pass and rejoin the lane with a safe distance to the vehicle.

What to do When You Get Separated
Being separated in a group ride will happen occasionally. It may occur in heavy traffic with other motorists or in an urban setting with traffic lights. The first thing to remember is not to panic. In your pre-journey meeting, you already discussed the route everyone will follow. Continue on the same route as discussed, and if there is an experienced rider in the now sub-group, they should lead until the main group is formed back together. At that time, they can take their original place in the main group. The lead sub-group should also continue on the same course as agreed upon and slow down or stop as needed until the latter group can rejoin them.

Be Mindful of All Skill Levels of Riders
Every group will have differing rider abilities. The key is to keep each rider comfortable and safe, so having the least experience toward the middle of the pack is recommended. This position will allow them a visual guide from riders in the front to indicate oncoming items of note (like traffic and road conditions). More experienced riders behind them will also be able to keep aggressive drivers from disturbing them from the rear. The lead and tail riders should have the most experience, as they can adjust to traffic the best and protect the other riders from traffic and road debris. Your most novice riders should also determine when and where to take breaks.

Use Hand Signals
All members of the group should know the basic hand signals used while group riding. Communicating through signals during a ride (when voice discussion is not possible) will allow each member to stay in sync with what is happening around them. These signals should be a quick discussion point and possibly a show-and-tell during the pre-ride meeting. Ensure all riders know the signals and their meanings.

Group Riding Etiquette
As mentioned, the skill level of each rider needs to be a consideration within the group and each rider should feel comfortable with the speed that the group will ride during the travel. Some riders will want to ride faster than others are comfortable with. If that is the case, consider splitting into different speed groups to keep everyone comfortable and safe. Feeling pressured and guilt by not wanting to ride at a speed faster than you’re comfortable with is a heavy burden to carry. Choose to ride with those with the same approximate speed in mind as you have.

Loud exhausts are great to keep others aware of your presence in traffic, but deafening your riding partners over the course of a long ride isn’t a nice thing to do. If you have open pipes or a race muffler, consider riding toward or at the back of the group.

Motorcycling doesn’t just contain two-wheeled motorcycles. Trikes and sidecars are still popular options, and due to their width, they should always ride at the back of the group. They are wide enough to take up two-thirds of the lane and don’t handle with the same nimbleness as a two-wheeled motorcycle. That differential in handling can create a problem in a sudden change of speed or adjustment needed within the lane.

Wrap Up
Group riding brings an added level of adventure to motorcycling, and with safe and thought-out practices, the journey together will only get better year after year. Each ride as a group will change with the scenery, and any addition or subtraction of group members will add new dynamics to the ride. Just keep all the basics in mind, and you’ll enjoy motorcycling as long as you want to.

Tips provided by the Motorcycle Legal Foundation

 

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A Specialist assigned to Fort Bliss, Texas, died in a PMV-2 mishap 18 April 2022 in El Paso, Texas, at 0300 local. The Soldier lost control of his motorcycle while attempting to navigate a curve and struck a guard rail. The Soldier was ejected and landed approximately 25 feet from an overpass inside a gated lot. He was taken to the local hospital where he was pronounced dead. He was reportedly wearing personal protective equipment and did not complete the Basic RiderCourse. It is unknown at this time if speed or alcohol were factors. This mishap is still under investigation by local law enforcement.

Since 2017, the Army has lost an average of 25 Soldiers a year to PMV-2 mishaps. This mishap was the 16th off-duty PMV-2 fatality of FY22.


Motorcycle Safety Awareness Problem: Riders in Curves

The Problem – Running wide in a corner is a common cause of motorcycle fatalities. Many times, it’s not the first curve that’s the problem. It’s the second or third in a series of curves that sucks you in, chews you up and spits you out.

The Problem Behavior – While we can’t take the curves out of the road (nor would we want to!), we can change our approach. There are innumerable reasons for missing a curve, but most point to one problem behavior: being unprepared. When unprepared riders – whether beginners, experienced riders or experts – fail to negotiate a turn, it’s because they enter too fast, in poor position, with no exit strategy.

Act, Don’t React – When a corner catches you unprepared, it’s not too late to act if you have your wits about you. Most important is that you look through the turn. Don’t look down, don’t look at the guardrail, don’t look at the ditch or oncoming logging truck. Look through the turn, to the exit. The motorcycle wants to go where you look. When you feel like you’re in too hot, the simple act of looking through the turn can save you.
If your speed is still way too fast for the turn, gently reduce your speed – a little roll-off can help tighten your line. If you’re still running out of road, press the inside handgrip more and lean the bike further. Trust those tires.

The Strategy – Every curve should be approached the same way: from the outside, at a safe entry speed, with an eye for the exit. An outside position provides the best line of sight and widest radius. A safe entry speed is one that allows you to slow or stop if the turn goes wrong. For experienced riders in good conditions, safe entry speed might be the curve’s advisory speed or just below it. The exit is where the curve ends.
As you round the turn, continue to hold your outside line and entry speed until you know where curve leads. Don’t accelerate until you can see the exit – that’s your target.

And beware: Sometimes the exit is a nice, long straightaway, but sometimes it’s another curve, in the opposite direction. At that point your target is no longer the curve’s exit. Now it’s the entrance to the next turn.

If you aren’t 100 percent sure of your curve skills, it’s time to head to school. Even a basic motorcycle class will give you a leg up in the corners.

 

A Specialist assigned to Fort Carson, Colorado, died in a PMV-2 mishap 28 April 2022 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at 0730 local. The Soldier was riding in the Colorado Springs area when a car swerved into the wrong lane and struck him. The Soldier was pronounced dead at the scene by the county coroner. The driver of the car was arrested on suspicion of DUI and vehicular homicide. The Soldier was reportedly wearing personal protective equipment but had not completed the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s Basic RiderCourse. There was no indication that speed or alcohol were contributing factors from the Soldier. This mishap is still under investigation by the Colorado Springs Police Department.

Since 2017, the Army has lost an average of 25 Soldiers a year to PMV-2 mishaps. This tragedy was the 15th PMV-2 fatality of FY22.


Motorcycle Safety Tips All Riders Should Know and Follow

1. Enroll in a Motorcycle Training Course
Motorcycle training courses are highly valuable to motorcyclists and potential riders. Once you enroll in a course, you’re guaranteed to learn vital safety tips to help you become more aware when riding your bike. The knowledge that you stand to gain by enrolling in a training course is invaluable because it will equip you on how to be safe while on the road.

Moreover, you’ll learn about the motorcycle laws of your state regarding safety standards. As a result, you’ll know what is expected of you as a rider. Furthermore, there are skills that you need to keep developing as a rider, whether you’re a seasoned motorcyclist or a new rider.

Remember, the more knowledge you have about motorcycle safety, the more you can avoid fatal accidents. Therefore, you should inquire about any motorcycle training courses near you to equip you with the necessary tips to remain secure when riding your bike.

2. Ensure You Have the Correct License
Alarmingly, 29% of motorcyclists who were killed in accidents in 2017 did not have a valid motorcycle license. There are different skills involved in driving a car and riding a motorcycle. It’s vitally important that motorcyclists have a dedicated license before they take to the road. To receive your motorcycle license, you’ll need to pass both a written test and a riding test. However, in some states, you can bypass the riding test if you’ve taken and passed a state-approved rider education course.

3. Always Wear Proper Protective Gear
Since motorcyclists are not protected inside the cabin of a car, when they’re involved in an accident, they’re much more vulnerable to severe injuries. When the human body impacts metal or concrete while traveling at high speeds, the results are never pretty.

Wearing a high-quality helmet is the most important thing you should do when you’re riding and looking at protective equipment. Any helmet is better than no helmet, but if you want the best protection, you should look for a carbon fiber helmet. Plus, you should ensure the helmet you choose meets the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 218. You’ll find the DOT symbol on all approved helmets. Source: https://www.nhtsa.gov/motorcycle-safety/choose-right-motorcycle-helmet

A carbon fiber helmet is hard, to protect you from impacts, but it also flexes under stress to relieve the force of the impact. In addition to a helmet, you should also wear protective boots, gloves, knee and elbow pads, and a jacket. There are even jackets equipped with air bags now that can provide a great deal of protection if you’re in an accident.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration states that arms and legs should be completely covered with either garments made from leather or heavy denim. This will ensure you are adequately protected from things such as road rash if you happen to come off your bike.

4. Avoid Riding After Consuming Alcohol
One of the leading causes of motorcycle accidents today is riding under the influence of alcohol. Therefore, if you decide to have a few drinks after work, arrange another way to get home and pick your bike up in the morning.
When you ride your bike under the influence of alcohol, you’re putting yourself and other road users at risk. Since alcohol limits your level of alertness, the likelihood of you causing an accident is very high.

Therefore, you must always make sure that you’re sober when riding your bike. By adhering to this safety tip, you’ll help avoid being a victim in a fatal accident.

5. Ride Defensively
Protective equipment is a must, but the best protection for motorcyclists is to avoid being in an accident in the first place. Always obey the rules of the road and operate your motorcycle at a speed that allows you to keep control. Always be on the lookout for other drivers and watch out for potential road hazards when you’re riding.

6. Wear Bright-Colored Clothing
One of the main reasons motorcycle riders are more vulnerable on the road is because they’re smaller and less visible than cars. That means other drivers may not be able to see them as easily. When you can’t see something on the road, you can’t avoid hitting it.

Wearing bright-colored clothing can make you more visible on the road, which will reduce your chances of being in an accident.

7. Don’t Ride During Bad Weather
Riding during rain, snow, or hail is a recipe for disaster. For one thing, when you ride during bad weather, visibility is reduced. This makes the likelihood of an accident increase. The other reason that bad weather is dangerous is the fact that wet and icy roads are slick, which makes it harder for drivers and riders to control their vehicles.

If a car can’t stop in time when they see you, then they will end up hitting you. If you can’t stop your bike in time, you will either hit something or end up dropping your bike. In any of these scenarios, your chances of sustaining serious or life-threatening injuries are significant.

8. Maintain Your Bike in Good Working Condition
One of the most important safety tips is ensuring that your motorcycle is always in proper working condition. The mistake many riders make is riding their bikes when they’re faulty or when they lack essential gadgets.
For example, tires should be well inflated and kept in very good condition. When the tires of your motorcycle are not well maintained, it’s easy to cause an accident.

Another aspect of maintaining your bike is ensuring the lights are functioning correctly for the sake of providing the required light at night. Without this, it’s not possible to see properly when on the road and, as a result, you can cause a fatal accident that could have been avoided. Therefore, take the time to ensure your motorcycle is in great condition before riding it.

Fatal accidents involving motorcyclists are truly alarming. Hence, it’s highly advisable for riders to be careful about how they conduct themselves. Fundamentally, the safety of riders starts with them taking the required steps to maintain the standards of safety expected of them.

They must learn and adhere to motorcycle safety laws to protect not only themselves but also other road users. Indeed, it takes a deliberate decision to practice these essential safety tips to stay safe on the road.

 

A Sergeant assigned to Fort Bliss, Texas, died in a PMV-2 mishap 16 April 2022 in El Paso, Texas, at 2352 local. The Soldier reportedly was attempting to change lanes at a high rate of speed by splitting between two vehicles on the roadway. He lost control, struck the rear of another vehicle, and was thrown onto landscaping rocks. The Soldier was pronounced dead at the scene. It is unknown who notified 911. The Soldier was not wearing a helmet, and it is currently unknown if alcohol or drugs were involved. The Soldier completed the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s Basic RiderCourse I (BRC-I) in May 2018: however, he did not complete the Advanced RiderCourse within 12 months of finishing the BRC-I. The safety/unit points of contact are waiting for local law enforcement to release its final report.

Since 2017, the Army has lost an average of 25 Soldiers a year to off-duty PMV-2 mishaps. This mishap was the 14th off-duty PMV-2 fatality of FY22.


Lane splitting occurs when a motorcyclist passes one or more vehicles between two lanes, often the area of the road where the road line is painted. It is also known as white-lining to seasoned motorcyclists. Typically, motorcyclists will use lane splitting to avoid stopping in heavy traffic.
Currently, “lane splitting” is only legal in seven states, and a state House bill is pending approval in an eighth. It is illegal in Texas.

The California Highway Patrol states the following and provides the general safety tips below:

“Although lane splitting is legal in California, motorcyclists are encouraged to exercise extreme caution when traveling between lanes of stopped or slow-moving traffic,” said CHP Commissioner Warren Stanley. “Every rider has the ultimate responsibility for their own decision-making and safety.”

These general safety tips are provided to assist you when riding; however, they are not guaranteed to keep you safe:
• Consider the total environment when you are lane splitting (this includes the width of lanes, the size of surrounding vehicles, as well as current roadway, weather, and lighting conditions).
• Danger increases at greater speed differentials.
• Danger increases as overall speed increases.
• It is typically safer to split between the far-left lanes than between the other lanes of traffic.
• Try to avoid lane splitting next to large vehicles (big rigs, buses, motorhomes, etc.).
• Riding on the shoulder is illegal; it is not considered lane splitting.
• Be visible – avoid remaining in the blind spots of other vehicles or lingering between vehicles.
• Help drivers see you by wearing brightly colored/reflective protective gear and using high beams during daylight hours.