Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

A 23-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, died in a PMV-2 mishap 29 May 2023 at 2234 local. The Soldier was riding his sport bike when he collided with a vehicle that turned in front of him. Emergency medical services responded and transported the Soldier to the local hospital, where he died from his injuries. The Soldier had a valid state motorcycle license and completed the Basic RiderCourse in September 2021. The safety point of contact is awaiting further information from local law enforcement, to include personal protective equipment use and the toxicology report.

Since FY18, the Army has lost an average of 24 Soldiers a year to PMV-2 mishaps. This mishap was the 19th PMV-2 fatality of FY23 and equal to the number of fatalities for the same time period last year.

Safety tip

What can riders do to share the road more safely?

1. Wear a helmet!

Hopefully you already have this one covered … no pun intended! A helmet is essential for safe riding. Helmets are your best defense against a serious brain injury should you get in a motorcycle accident. Not all states require that you wear a helmet, but you should. Make sure it fits securely and is up to the highest safety standards.

2. Get comfortable with your motorcycle.

Each motorcycle is unique, so if you’ve upgraded or gotten a new one, you should take some time to try it out and get familiar with its quirks in a controlled environment. Spend some time getting to know how your motorcycle handles turns, your weight, and familiarize yourself with where all its bells and whistles are located, so you won’t be fishing around during a ride!

3. Check your bike before every ride.

A quick check to ensure everything is in working order will save you from starting a doomed trip. Check your tires (their pressure and depth), turn signals, hand and foot brakes, as well as and your fluid levels before departing from home. After that, a quick look to ensure nothing is leaking and you’ll be ready to ride.

4. Ride defensively.

Do not assume you can be seen by drivers on the road. Motorcycles are smaller than cars and you can easily slip into a driver’s blind spot. Keep your lights on while riding and try to wear bright or reflective clothing.

When riding, do so defensively. This means giving yourself plenty of room to make turns and change lanes, driving within the speed limit and assuming drivers won’t be able to see what you’re doing. Recklessly cutting in front of cars could land you in the hospital … or worse.

5. Obey the rules of the road.

The best way to stay safe is to ride as safely as possible! Follow all lane markings, posted signs and speed limits. Yield to those who have the right of way and avoid speeding and cutting off others — you never know when road conditions could change.

6. Be aware of the weather.

Changes in weather can be dangerous for motorcycles, as slippery roads can cause you to lose control. Be aware of conditions for the day before you set out, and have a plan for what to do if the weather worsens.

7. Don’t drink and drive.

Motorcyclists are more likely to die in a drunk driving crash than drivers. Don’t become a sad statistic. Be sure to avoid driving under any kind of influence, when drowsy and while distracted.

Motorcycle safety tips for car drivers
What can drivers do to share the road more safely? Check out these safety tips for drivers:

1. Beware your blind spots.

Motorcycles are smaller than cars so they can be doubly as difficult to see when turning or switching lanes. Be sure to make a visual check as well as use your mirrors when turning or merging.

2. Slow down behind motorcycles.

Motorcycles don’t handle the road the same way as cars, and can be much more sensitive to changes on the road. Motorcycles can also maneuver much faster than cars, so slow your roll to make sure you have time to react.

3. Don’t tailgate.

Leaving room between you and a motorcycle in front of you is essential to helping prevent accidents. Giving yourself room will give you time and space to react if the motorcyclist makes a quick, unexpected turn.

4. Use your turn signals.

Regardless of whether motorcycles are on the road or not, you should use your turn signals to help others on the road anticipate your next move.

5. Dim your headlights.

High beams are more blinding for motorcyclists, so it is important to be sure to dim them when you pass them on the roads at night.

6. Be careful taking left turns.

With any turns, be aware of motorcycles on the road and how fast they are going if you are turning. Left turns can be particularly dangerous due to your blind spots.

7. Don’t drink and drive.

You should never drink and drive. Drinking and driving or distracted driving makes sharing the road more dangerous for everyone.

Tips provided by Insurance Industry
 

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A 23-year-old Specialist assigned to Camp Buehring, Kuwait, died in a government motor vehicle (GMV) mishap 25 May 2023 at Camp Udairi, Kuwait at 1026 local. During a movement in support of range operations, a High-Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle overturned. One Soldier suffered fatal injuries and another Soldier sustained permanent total disability injuries. The specific circumstances of the mishap, including Soldiers' use of seat belts, mishap sequence and if speed was a contributing factor, are currently unknown.

Since FY18, the Army has lost an average of nine Soldiers a year to GMV mishaps. This mishap was the second GMV fatality of FY23 and below the number of fatalities for the same time last year.
 

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A 20-year-old Private First Class assigned to Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, died in a PMV-4 mishap 28 May 2023 on the installation at 0200 local. The Soldier was riding with four other Soldiers when their sedan (Vehicle 1) struck a curb and collided with a truck (Vehicle 2) carrying three occupants and traveling in the opposite direction. Two Soldiers were ejected from Vehicle 1. Emergency medical services transported all passengers to the local hospital for treatment and evaluation. One Soldier in Vehicle 1 was pronounced dead, and the driver is hospitalized in stable condition with serious injuries. The three other passengers in Vehicle 1 sustained minor injuries and were released. The driver of Vehicle 2 suffered a dislocated shoulder and broken ankle, while the truck passengers were evaluated and released. Three of the five Soldiers in Vehicle 1 were wearing seat belts. The safety point of contact is awaiting toxicology results.

Since FY18, the Army has lost an average of 35 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the 19th PMV-4 fatality of FY23 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. 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
Driving after drinking is deadly, — yet it 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.

About 31% of all traffic crash fatalities in the United States involve drunk drivers (with BACs of .08 g/dL or higher). In 2021, there were 13,384 people killed in these preventable crashes. In fact, on average, over the 10-year period from 2012-2021, about 10,850 people died every year in drunk-driving crashes.

In every state, it’s illegal to drive drunk, yet one person was killed in a drunk-driving crash every 39 minutes in the United States in 2021.

Car crashes are a leading cause of death for teens and about a quarter of fatal crashes involve an underage drinking driver. In 2021, 27% of young drivers 15 to 20 years old who were killed in crashes had BACs of .01 g/dL or higher.

To reduce alcohol-related fatal crashes among youth, all states have adopted a minimum legal drinking age of 21. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that minimum-drinking-age laws have saved 31,959 lives from 1975 to 2017.

In 2021, the highest percentage of drunk drivers (with BACs of .08 g/dL or higher) were the 21- to 24-year-old age group and 25- to 34-year-old age group. Men are most likely to be involved in this type of crash, with four male drunk drivers for every female drunk driver.

Tips provided by NHTSA

 

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A 25-year-old Sergeant assigned to Fort Bliss, Texas, died in a PMV-2 mishap 25 May 2023 at 2345 local. The Soldier and his spouse were riding at night with a group of other riders when he lost control negotiating a curve at a high rate of speed. The motorcycle crashed into a concrete barrier and hit a light pole, and the Soldier and his spouse died at the scene. The Soldier was a state-licensed motorcyclist and scheduled to attend the Basic RiderCourse on 19 July 2023. At the time of the mishap, he was not wearing a helmet; however, his spouse was wearing a helmet. No other personal protective equipment can be confirmed for either person at this time. The safety point of contact is awaiting the toxicology report and official pronouncement of death for the Soldier and his spouse.

Since FY18, the Army has lost an average of 24 Soldiers a year to PMV-2 mishaps. This mishap was the 18th PMV-2 fatality of FY23 and is below the number of fatalities for the same time period last year.

Safety tip

Motorcycle riders continue to be overrepresented in fatal traffic crashes. In 2021, there were 5,932 motorcyclists killed — 14% of all traffic fatalities. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data show that this is the highest number of motorcyclists killed at least since 1975. To keep everyone safe, we urge drivers and motorcyclists to share the road and be alert, and we're reminding motorcyclists to make themselves visible, to use U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)-compliant motorcycle helmets and to always ride sober.

Motorcycles in fatal crashes had the highest proportion of collisions with fixed objects (24.6%).

Drivers or motorcycle riders are alcohol-impaired when their blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) are .08 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or higher.

In 2020 motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes had higher percentages of alcohol impairment than drivers of any other motor vehicle type (27% for motorcycles, 23% for passenger cars, 19% for light trucks, and 3% for large trucks).

Motorcycle riders killed in traffic crashes at night were three times more frequently alcohol-impaired than those killed during the day in 2020.

In states without universal helmet laws, 57% of motorcyclists killed in 2020 were not wearing helmets, as compared to 11 percent in states with universal helmet laws.

Helmets are estimated to be 37% effective in preventing fatalities to motorcycle riders and 41% for motorcycle passengers. In other words, for every 100 motorcycle riders killed in crashes while not wearing helmets, 37 of them could have been saved had all 100 worn helmets.

In Texas, 50% of motorcyclists involved in a fatal motorcycle mishap were not wearing a helmet and 40% of the 5,579 motorcyclists killed nationwide in traffic crashes were not helmeted, based on known helmet use.

Important safety reminders for motorcyclists:
 

• Wearing a helmet is the single most effective way to protect yourself from a head injury. Use a motorcycle helmet for every ride, and ensure your passengers also use a helmet.


• Make sure your helmet has a valid U.S. DOT label; the label means the helmet meets the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards – this is also known as the FMVSS 218 standard. Novelty helmets without this label may not meet the same standard and will not provide the best protection needed in a crash.


• Check the fit of your helmet to ensure optimal protection.


• Wear protective gear like a sturdy jacket, pants, boots, and gloves; safety gear provide protection in case of falls or crashes and improves comfort during the ride.


• Make yourself visible by using high-visibility colors and retro-reflective materials to maximize the ability of drivers to see you.


• Motorcycle riding requires full attention, skill and coordination. Avoid combining riding with drinking alcohol or using other impairing drugs.

  For drivers:
 

• Always be on the lookout for motorcyclists.


• A motorcycle’s smaller size means it can be hidden in your vehicle’s blind spot.


• A motorcycle’s size and narrow profile can make it difficult to judge its distance and speed. Take extra care in judging when to turn or merge.


• Keep a safe distance from the motorcycle in front of you; motorcyclists can slow their motorcycles by downshifting instead of using their brakes. This means the brake lights won’t come on.


• Remember that motorcyclists sometimes change positions in their lane to avoid debris on the road.

Tips provided from NHTSA — NHTSA’s Research and Program Development
 

• In the spotlight — The 2023 Off-Duty Safety Awareness Presentation provides additional information to include videos, statistics and risk mitigation measures in preventing PMV-2 mishaps. Visit https://safety.army.mil/ODSAP for more information.

 

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A 22-year-old Specialist assigned to Camp Merrill, Georgia, died in a PMV-4 mishap 20 May 2023 at 0200 local. The Soldier was driving back to the barracks from another Soldier's home when his vehicle exited the road while he was negotiating a curve at a high rate of speed. The vehicle became airborne, overturned and contacted multiple trees before hitting a larger tree, causing the vehicle to rotate before landing in a ditch. The Soldier was the sole occupant in the vehicle. Emergency medical services arrived and pronounced him dead at the scene. The Soldier was wearing his seat belt at the time of the mishap. The safety point of contact is awaiting the toxicology report.

Since FY18, the Army has lost an average of 35 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the 18th PMV-4 fatality of FY23 and above the number of fatalities for the same time last year.

Safety tip
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration speeding endangers everyone on the road. In 2021, speeding killed 12,330 people. We all know the frustrations of modern life and juggling a busy schedule, but speed limits are put in place to protect all road users. Learn about the dangers of speeding and why faster doesn’t mean safer.

Dangers of speeding
For more than two decades, speeding has been involved in approximately one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities. In 2021, speeding was a contributing factor in 29% of all traffic fatalities.

Speed also affects your safety even when you are driving at the speed limit but too fast for road conditions, such as during bad weather, when a road is under repair, or in an area at night that isn’t well lit.

Speeding endangers not only the life of the speeder, but all people on the road around them, including law enforcement officers. It is a problem we all need to help solve.

Alcohol
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.

How alcohol affects driving ability
Alcohol is a substance that reduces the function of the brain, impairing thinking, reasoning and muscle coordination. All these abilities are essential to operating a vehicle safely.

As alcohol levels rise in a person’s system, the negative effects on the central nervous system increase. Alcohol is absorbed directly through the walls of the stomach and small intestine. Then it passes into the bloodstream where it accumulates until it is metabolized by the liver. A person's alcohol level is measured by the weight of the alcohol in a certain volume of blood. This is called blood alcohol concentration (BAC). A BAC of .08 grams of alcohol per deciliter (g/dL) of blood, crash risk increases exponentially. Because of this risk, it’s illegal in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to drive with a BAC of .08 or higher, except in Utah where the BAC limit is .05.

However, even a small amount of alcohol can affect driving ability. In 2021, there were 2,266 people killed in alcohol-related crashes where a driver had a BAC of .01 to .07 g/dL.

 

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