Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

A 27-year-old Sergeant assigned to Fort Bliss, Texas, died in a PMV-2 mishap 13 January 2023 in El Paso, Texas, at 2046 local. The Soldier was traveling southbound when his motorcycle collided with a truck that pulled out in front of him. The El Paso Police Department (EPD) pronounced the Soldier dead at the scene. He was wearing personal protective equipment and completed the required Motorcycle Safety Foundation training. It was reported that alcohol was not suspected as a contributing factor to the mishap. It is currently unknown if speed was a contributing factor. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for EPD to release its final report.

Since 2018, the Army has lost an average of 24 Soldiers a year to off-duty PMV-2 mishaps. This mishap was the sixth PMV-2 fatality of FY23.


When it comes to motorcycle riding at night and its safety challenges, people have varying opinions. Some think driving at night is safe since there are fewer road users and traffic congestion. However, there are others who view that night riding should be completely avoided due to the associated risks. No matter the opinion, there are challenges associated with motorcycle riding at night.

Low visibility
This is the most critical challenge facing motorcycle riding and other road users at night. With low visibility, it becomes very difficult to maintain focus and speed. As a result, many road accidents occur at night.

This could either be that the rider can’t see other objects clearly, or other road users do not see him. This can be easy fix by using motorcycle glasses for night riding that enhance low light visibility.

Obstacles
Obstacles on the road can pose a great safety risk to riders at night. It could be in the form of debris, roadblocks, potholes, manholes, loose gravel, and others. In addition, due to darkness, the obstacle could become less visible to the rider. In such a case, maneuverability will also reduce, and a potential collision could be life-threatening.

Drunk riders and drivers
When you decide to ride in the night, you should know that you’re not the only rider. Some other riders and drivers might be drunk. When a drunk driver is behind the wheel, they can’t maintain good road safety tips. Moreover, if the driver has limited vision, he’ll pose dangerous risks on the road for others.

Animals
Most animals that run in the night will naturally freeze once they gaze into oncoming headlights. If the animal’s eyes emit a glow, it will be a signal to you of its presence. However, if the eyes don’t, you may not notice their presence on time. Therefore, running through them or trying to maneuver around them at close range could lead to an accident.


Motorcycle Safety Tips for Riding at Night
Riding in the night could be inevitable in most cases. Many people do it as part of their hobbies or enjoyment. For some, it is their only available means of commuting. Remembering motorcycle safety tips for riding at night will protect you and your bike in whatever category you are.

1. Enhance your visibility
Low visibility is a critical safety risk for motorcycle riding at night. You can make yourself more visible during your night rides in the following ways:

Wear high-visible gear/clothing – Making yourself seen in the night is a great means of reducing accidents. Wearing fluorescent colors such as green, yellow, orange, and white will make you seen by other riders and drivers. When you dress in all black or dark colors, it keeps you hidden and limits your safety.

Use a white helmet – Wearing a helmet with safety certifications will provide protection in case of accidents. However, while gearing up, select a white helmet. This helps other road users to pick you out with ease.

Include reflective tape – You can increase your visibility by adding reflective tape to your clothing because it emits reflective lights at night and will help alert others to your presence on the road.


2. Increase your motorcycle visibility

Here are ways you can make your bike more visible:

Switch on the headlights and clean them when necessary – Riding in the night with a faulty headlight is risky. Instead, ensure your headlight is on and functioning properly. This will help to illuminate your front space. Also, the lenses of your headlights can get dirty over a long time of usage. With debris and dirt particles on the road, the lenses can become fogged and cloudy. However, with the use of water and clean, non-fluffy towels, you can easily clean the lenses to make the lighting brighter during your ride.

Ensure your brake handle and lights are functional – Before you embark on a ride in the night, you should check your brake and the brake lights. If other road users can see your brake light, they will know when you’ve hit the brake to slow down.

Clean or replace your visor – Your bike visor can undergo wear and tear or become dirty, which will invariably reduce your visibility. Therefore, ensure you regularly clean the visor, and when it becomes too old, replace it.


Motorcycle Safety Tips for Riding at Night [Keep You Safe] - HelmetsAdvisor.com
 

 

A 57-year-old Staff Sergeant assigned to the U.S. Army National Guard, Oskaloosa, Iowa, on Title 10 orders died in a PMV-4 mishap 8 January 2023 in Johnson County, Iowa, at 0530 local. The Soldier reportedly was on his way to work when he was involved in a multi-vehicle mishap and sustained fatal injuries. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department notified the unit of the mishap. The specific circumstances of the mishap, including speed, the Soldier’s use of a seat belt, and the involvement of alcohol or drugs as contributing factors, are currently unknown. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department to release its final report.

Since FY18, the Army has lost an average of 35 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the 11th PMV-4 fatality of FY23 and above the number of fatalities for the same time period last year.

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A 27-year-old Private First Class assigned to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, died in an off-duty water-related mishap 30 December 2022 in Maunalua Bay, Hawaii, at 1630 local. The Soldier was swimming with friends and did not return to shore. When his friends could not locate him, they called emergency services. The Honolulu Fire Department arrived at the scene and found the Soldier about 15 feet below the surface on the ocean floor. Emergency services attempted to resuscitate the Soldier but were unsuccessful and pronounced him dead. The Honolulu Police Department (HPD) notified the staff duty officer of the mishap. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for the HPD to release its final report.

Since 2018, the Army has lost an average of seven Soldiers a year to off-duty water-related mishaps. This mishap was the first off-duty water-related fatality of FY23.

Tips:

Beneath the ocean’s beautiful blue surface, conditions can be unpredictable and even fatal. Ocean safety experts recommend checking with lifeguards before you enter the water to determine potential hazards like rip currents, hidden rocks and shorebreaks. Then you can experience the majesty of the ocean, with reverence and respect for its awesome power.
•Only undertake ocean activities when a lifeguard is present or go with professional and certified watermen.
•Check conditions before you go out to look for ocean hazards such as rip currents, rocks, and shorebreaks.
•Swim with a buddy.
•Know your limits and don’t push beyond your abilities.
•It’s important that you know how to swim if you go snorkeling, and at the very minimum wear a flotation device.
•If in doubt, don’t go out.
•Wave heights can increase quickly. If they do, dive underneath the wave, come up behind it, and then swim to shore between wave sets.
•Do not go into the ocean under the influence of drugs or alcohol, which greatly increase your risk of drowning.
•If you are caught in a rip current, remain calm and go with the flow – don't fight the current. Once the rip current releases you offshore, swim at an angle away from the current, toward the shore, and call or signal for help.

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A Sergeant assigned to Miami, Florida, died in an off-duty sports, recreation, and physical training mishap 24 December 2022 in Ocala, Florida, at 1430 local. The reporting unit was notified by the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) that the Soldier was involved in a mishap involving his recreational electric ‘kick’ scooter. He was transported to Ocala Regional Hospital, Ocala, where he later succumbed to his injuries. It is currently unknown if a civilian PMV was involved in the incident, however, due to the severity of his injuries, it is assumed. The exact cause and circumstances of the mishap is still under investigation by the FHP.

Since 2018, the Army has lost an average of 11 Soldiers a year to off-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishaps. This was the second off-duty sports, recreation, and physical training fatality of FY23 and above the number of off-duty sports, recreation, and physical training fatalities from this time last year.

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A 21-year-old Private First Class assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina died from a PMV-4 mishap 24 December 2022, near Goldsboro, North Carolina, at 2200 local. The Soldier was traveling at a high rate of speed when he lost control of his vehicle, overturned, and was ejected from the vehicle. He was transported by EMT to UNC Wayne Memorial Hospital and died from his injuries at 0334 on 25 December. It is suspected the Soldier was not wearing his seatbelt and it is currently unknown if alcohol or drugs are contributing factors. The safety/unit points of contact are waiting for law enforcement to release its final report.

Since FY18, the Army has lost an average of 35 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the 10th PMV-4 fatality of FY23 and above the number of fatalities for the same time last year.

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