Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

 

A 22-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Bliss, Texas was the single occupant in a PMV-4 rollover on 3 July 2023 at 0715 local. The Soldier was ejected and was found unconscious 50 feet from his vehicle. Emergency medical services life flighted the Solider to a local hospital where the medical trauma team performed emergency surgery due to traumatic brain injury. The Soldier was placed in intensive care following surgery but died later that evening from his injuries. The Soldier was not wearing a seat belt at the time of the rollover. Drugs and alcohol are not considered contributing factors in this mishap.

Since FY18, the Army has lost an average of 35 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the 23rd PMV-4 fatality of FY23 and above the number of fatalities for the same time last year.

 

Safety tip
If someone told you there’s a secret to significantly cutting your chance of a fatal injury in a motor vehicle crash, you’d want to know it, right?

It’s called a seat belt. Spread the word.

In the instant you buckle up before driving or riding in the front seat of a car or truck, you cut your risk of a fatal injury in a crash nearly in half. That’s a huge return on the investment of the mere seconds it takes to put on a seat belt.

One of the safest choices drivers and passengers can make is to buckle up. Many Americans understand the lifesaving value of the seat belt – the national use rate was at 91.6% in 2022. Seat belt use in passenger vehicles saved an estimated 14,955 lives in 2017. Understand the potentially fatal consequences of not wearing a seat belt and learn what you can do to make sure you and your family are properly buckled up every time.

 

Overview
One of the safest choices drivers and passengers can make is to buckle up. Many Americans understand the lifesaving value of the seat belt – the national use rate was at 91.6% in 2022. Seat belt use in passenger vehicles saved an estimated 14,955 lives in 2017. Understand the potentially fatal consequences of not wearing a seat belt and learn what you can do to make sure you and your family are properly buckled up every time.

 

Seat belts save lives
Seat belt use rate in 2022 was at 91.6% 50% percentage of passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2021 who were unrestrained.

In 2021, 26,325 passenger vehicle occupants were killed. About 50% of those killed were not buckled (based on known seat belt use.)

Seat belts saved an estimated 14,955 lives and could have saved an additional 2,549 people if they had been wearing seat belts, in 2017 alone.

 

The consequences of not wearing, or improperly wearing, a seat belt are clear:

Traffic safety facts

1. Buckling up helps keep you safe and secure inside your vehicle, whereas not buckling up can result in being totally ejected from the vehicle in a crash, which is almost always deadly.

2. Air bags are not enough to protect you; in fact, the force of an air bag can seriously injure or even kill you if you’re not buckled up.

3. Improperly wearing a seat belt, such as putting the strap below your arm, puts you and your children at risk in a crash.

The benefits of buckling up are equally clear:

a. If you buckle up in the front seat of a passenger car, you can reduce your risk of:

• Fatal injury by 45% (Kahane, 2015)


• Moderate to critical injury by 50%


 

b. If you buckle up in a light truck, you can reduce your risk of:

• Fatal injury by 60% (Kahane, 2015)


• Moderate to critical injury by 65% (NHTSA, 1984)


 

The top 5 things you should know about buckling up

 

57% of those killed during the nighttime in 2021 were unrestrained

1. Buckling up is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself in a crash.
Seat belts are the best defense against impaired, aggressive, and distracted drivers. Being buckled up during a crash helps keep you safe and secure inside your vehicle; being completely ejected from a vehicle is almost always deadly.

2. Air bags are designed to work with seat belts, not replace them.
If you don’t wear your seat belt, you could be thrown into a rapidly opening frontal air bag. Such force could injure or even kill you. Learn about air bag safety.

3. Guidelines to buckle up safely.
The lap belt and shoulder belt are secured across the pelvis and rib cage, which are better able to withstand crash forces than other parts of your body.
Place the shoulder belt across the middle of your chest and away from your neck.
The lap belt rests across your hips, not your stomach.
NEVER put the shoulder belt behind your back or under an arm.

4. Fit matters.
Before you buy a new car, check to see that its seat belts are a good fit for you.
Ask your dealer about seat belt adjusters, which can help you get the best fit.
If you need a roomier belt, contact your vehicle manufacturer to obtain seat belt extenders.
If you drive an older or classic car with lap belts only, check with your vehicle manufacturer about how to retrofit your car with today’s safer lap/shoulder belts.

5. Seat belt safety for children and pregnant women.
Find out when your child is ready to use an adult seat belt and learn about seat belt safety when you’re pregnant.

 

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A 29-year-old Staff Sergeant assigned to Fort Liberty, North Carolina, died in a PMV-Pedestrian mishap 30 June 2023 in Halifax, North Carolina, at 2145 local. While on leave, the Soldier reportedly parked on the side of the road, exited his vehicle and was struck by oncoming traffic. The North Carolina Highway Patrol (NCHP) responded and pronounced the Soldier dead at the scene. The specific circumstances of the mishap are currently unknown. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for NCHP to release its final report.

Since 2018, the Army has lost an average of six Soldiers a year to PMV-Pedestrian mishaps. This mishap was the fourth PMV-Pedestrian fatality of FY23.

Safety tip
Roadside emergency safety tips
If you’re on the side of the road, you’ll need to exercise caution. Follow these tips to move to safety and stay out of the danger of traffic, remaining as safe as possible.

Take action immediately: If you notice car trouble, start moving over the right way. If you wait too long, your car may stop moving before you’re able to get off the road.

Get as far off the road as possible: If you’re experiencing an emergency while driving, the most important thing you can do is get to a safe place. A shoulder will do if that’s all you can manage, but it’s best to exit freeways, turn off roadways, and pull into a rest stop or parking lot. Try to stop under a streetlight if possible. Never stop around corners or curves, on the bottom of a hill, or on a narrow road. Don’t stop on a left shoulder unless you have no other choice, as you will be unable to get out of your car and walk off the highway. Even if you’re destroying your tire, keep going until you can get to safety. You may even save yourself tow truck fees if you’re able to get to a parking lot where you can handle repairs.

Warn others you’re having trouble: Turn on your hazard lights, and if you have safety cones, signs, flares, triangles, or a light, use those as well to increase your visibility. If you’re stopped at night, be sure to leave on your lights . You can also pop your hood to show others you’re having car trouble.

Call for roadside assistance: If you have roadside assistance through your insurance, cellphone carrier, or roadside club, give them a call immediately. They are typically available 24/7 with fast service that will take you to the nearest vehicle repair location. Remember to put their phone number in your cellphone so you’ll always have it handy.

Don’t exit your car until it’s safe: If you’re having an emergency, you may feel panicked and want to investigate the situation immediately. But be careful about getting out of your car, especially if you’re still near traffic. Get out of your car through the passenger side if there’s traffic on the driver side. And, of course, look for traffic before you open your door.

Remember you’re in traffic: If you’re on the shoulder, keep in mind you and your car are not protected by the thin white line that separates you from the other cars speeding past on the freeway. All it takes is a distraction or wind to have a vehicle drift over into the shoulder, hitting your car. You should also take care to keep your distance from the flow of traffic. If you can’t perform your own roadside repairs safely, it is best to remain in the vehicle with your seat belt on and doors locked. Don’t stand behind or next to your vehicle.

Be prepared with emergency supplies: Keep a first aid kit, extra water and food and emergency repair supplies, including tools, a spare tire, duct tape, jack, jumper cables, heavy-duty rope, gloves and Fix-a-Flat. You should also have flags, flares, or reflective triangles to warn other drivers that you’re having trouble.

Be careful about accepting help: It’s best to call professionals or a trusted friend or family member who can help. Yet, strangers who see you’re having trouble may stop to help. They may be well-intentioned, but you should use caution. Lower your window only enough to talk and use your best judgment in accepting their help. If you’re waiting on roadside assistance or a tow truck, thank them for stopping but tell them you’ll be taken care of.

Know when to call a professional: Some vehicle owners can handle quick roadside repairs without help, but even the savviest of DIYers can get in over their heads and end up in dangerous territory. Know when it’s smart to call for help. While you might be able to handle a tire change in a parking lot, it’s not a good idea to try to do the same while you’re on a highway shoulder. Use your best judgment.

Roadside assistance safety apps
Need help? You can get connected with service providers and repair advice quickly using these roadside assistance apps. Find a tow truck, learn how to change a tire, and get help fast so you can get safely off the road.

HONK: HONK is a free on-demand roadside assistance app. It has more than 45,000 tow truck partners nationwide, and flats can be fixed in as quickly as 30 minutes. All you have to do is open the app and share your location information and the kind of help you need. You’ll hear back from a service provider with an estimated time for their arrival. This service is available 24/7.

RepairPal: With RepairPal, you can get help with auto emergencies and roadside assistance. The app offers an easy way to find mechanics in your area and get one-touch access to roadside assistance.

Urgently: Urgently is an on-demand roadside assistance service. It has Uber-like visibility and a flat rate pay-per-use pricing. It uses thousands of trusted service providers nationwide to get drivers back on the road quickly with immediate help and no annual fees. You’ll see nearby help, pick a service, and watch help arrive in real-time.

Good Hands Rescue: This Allstate insurance service is available to everyone, whether you have coverage with Allstate or not. Using this app, you’ll get in touch with the Allstate network of roadside assistance providers and get help when you need it. It uses your phone’s GPS to pinpoint your location and mobilize a service provider who can help. You’ll also get real-time updates, including a service confirmation and ETA information, so you know when help is on the way.

AutoZone: Think you’re up to the task of fixing your car yourself? AutoZone’s app has a repair help feature that offers trustworthy advice for fixing your car yourself and getting back on the road.

Tips provided by defensivedriving.org.

 

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A 22-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, died from injuries sustained in a PMV-2 mishap that occurred 28 May 2023 at 2300 local. The Soldier was riding his motorcycle when an unidentified vehicle collided with him in a hit-and-run. Emergency medical services transported the Soldier to the local hospital, where he underwent multiple surgeries before slipping into a coma. The Soldier was removed from life support and died 15 June 2023. His motorcycle licensing, Army-mandated training certifications and proper personal protective equipment use are unknown at this time. The safety point of contact is awaiting further information and toxicology from local law enforcement.

Since FY18, the Army has lost an average of 24 Soldiers a year to PMV-2 mishaps. This mishap was the 21st PMV-2 fatality of FY23 and equal to the number of fatalities for the same time period last year.
 

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A 47-year-old Active/Guard Reserve Master Sergeant assigned to the United States Army Reserve, San Antonio, Texas, died in a PMV-4 mishap 17 June 2023 in San Antonio, at 0031 local. The Soldier reportedly was driving when a civilian vehicle traveling in the wrong direction crashed into her vehicle. The San Antonio Fire Department, San Antonio Police Department (SAPD) and emergency medical services responded to the scene. The Soldier was extricated from the vehicle, transported to the local hospital and pronounced dead upon arrival by the attending physician. The specific circumstances of the mishap, including speed and the Soldier’s use of a seat belt, are currently unknown. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for the SAPD 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 22nd PMV-4 fatality of FY23 and above the number of fatalities for the same time last year.

Safety tip
Ways to avoid wrong-way drivers
A wrong-way driver barreling toward your vehicle is perhaps one of the most frightening events to experience on the road.

Approximately 350 people a year lose their lives because of a wrong-way driving collision, according to U.S. Department of Transportation data. While wrong-way crashes are relatively uncommon, comprising about 3% of all motor vehicle accidents, they are the leading type of motor vehicle accident to result in a fatality.

In fact, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) estimates the fatality rate to fall between 12 and 27% higher than all other types of collisions.

Anticipate what's ahead
It's very important to look at the road ahead and anticipate any possible dangers. Look beyond the first few cars ahead and scan the entire width of the roadway — not just ahead in your own lane.
By doing so, you increase your odds of spotting a wrong-way driver sooner, giving you more time to move out of the way in a scenario where every second counts.

Caution at night and on weekends
NTSB research finds that 70% of wrong-way crashes occur between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. The data also shows there are more wrong-way collisions on weekends as opposed to weekdays.
At nights and on weekends, the uptick in wrong-way accidents may be due to alcohol-impaired drivers who comprise many wrong-way drivers.

Drive in the right lane
Wrong-way drivers tend to drive in the left lane. In fact, seven out of nine wrong-way crashes occur in the lane closest to the median, notes the NTSB.

Avoid distractions
As always, it's imperative to stay alert to the roadway by avoiding distractions such as eating, fiddling with the radio or manipulating a cellphone. In the event a wrong-way driver suddenly appears, having your full attention on the road could save your life.

Pull over to the right
If you see a wrong-way driver coming toward you, do your best to pull over to the shoulder. Don't apply the brakes. It's better to swerve out of the way, and you will likely only have a few split seconds to react.

Call 9-1-1
If you manage to avoid a wrong-way driver, make sure to report it immediately while you are stopped on the side of the road. You could help save someone's life.

Tips provided by Automotive Fleet Marrianne Matthews and NTSB
 

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An Active Guard Reserve Sergeant First Class assigned to the Army National Guard, Fort Carson, Colorado, died in an off-duty water-related mishap 16 June 2023 in Buena Vista, Colorado, at 1430 local. The Soldier was floating on an innertube on the Arkansas River when he was swept away by fast-moving waters. The conditions or circumstances surrounding the mishap sequence are unknown. The Soldier was found unresponsive approximately two miles downstream. Emergency medical services personnel performed lifesaving measures but were unsuccessful in resuscitating the Soldier. Local law enforcement and Army CID are investigating the mishap.

Since 2018, the Army has lost an average of seven Soldiers a year to off-duty water-related mishaps. This was the second off-duty water-related mishap of FY23 and less than the number of off-duty water-related fatalities from this time last year.
 

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