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Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

About Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

PLRs are intended to be used as an engagement tool for leaders to discuss the hazards and trends impacting Soldier safety and readiness. A PLR contains only basic information, as the investigation is ongoing, but provides sufficient background to allow leaders an opportunity to communicate risk at the Soldier level.

 

PLR 22-072 – PMV-4 Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, PMV-4
A Specialist assigned to Camp Humphreys, South Korea, died in a PMV-4 mishap 21 August 2022 in Pyeongtaek-Si, South Korea, at 0143 local. The USAG-Humphreys AP Provost Marshal Office was notified by traffic investigators of a possible drunk driving-related traffic accident resulting in a fatality. The driver failed to maintain their lane and struck a guardrail. The mishap Soldier (passenger) was ejected from the vehicle and found unresponsive at the scene of the accident and later declared dead.

Since 2017, the Army has lost an average of 35 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the 27th PMV-4 fatality of FY22 and below the number of fatalities for the same time period last year.


Buckle-up

-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 90.3% in 2020. Seat belt use in passenger vehicles saved an estimated 14,955 lives in 2017.

-Of those killed during the nighttime in 2019, 55% were unrestrained. In the instant you buckle up when 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 massive return on the investment of the brief moment it takes to put on a seat belt.

-Seat belts are the single-most effective safety technology in the history of the automobile. A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study of lives saved by vehicle technologies found that, between 1960 and 2012, seat belts saved more lives — 329,715, to be exact — than all other vehicle technologies combined, including air bags, energy-absorbing steering assemblies and electronic stability control.

-Every day, about 28 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes — that's one person every 52 minutes. In 2019, these deaths reached the lowest percentage since 1982 when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration started reporting alcohol data — but still, 10,142 people lost their lives. These deaths were all preventable.


Drinking and driving is a serious offense in Korea

-Driving while intoxicated (this means a blood alcohol level of over 0.05%) is punishable by imprisonment of up to two years and a fine of up to 3 million won.
-Driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.05-0.35% is punishable by law, and those with over 0.36% are arrested and detained.
-Anyone who has been caught drinking and driving on three previous occasions is automatically detained, regardless of the degree of intoxication.
-Penalties:
*Drivers with a blood alcohol level of 0.05% to 0.09% will have their license suspended for 100 days.
*Those found with a blood alcohol level of more than 0.10% or more than 0.05% when involved in an accident resulting in loss of life will have their license revoked.
*Drivers who refuse an alcohol level test face cancellation of their license.



 

PLR 22-071 – Water-related Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, Sports & Recreation
A 21-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Hood, Texas, died in a water-related mishap 8 August 2022 in Belton, Texas, at 1130 local. During a company organizational day at Temple Lake Park in Belton, Texas, the Soldier began swimming across a small cove. He started showing signs of distress approximately 100 meters from shore, submerged underwater and did not resurface. Soldiers from the company notified authorities and attempted to rescue him. Local authorities located the Soldier unresponsive at approximately 1330 and pronounced him dead at the scene. This mishap is still under investigation by local law enforcement.

Since FY17, the Army has lost an average of nine Soldiers a year to water-related mishaps. This was the sixth fatal water-related mishap of FY22.


Swimming in Lakes, Rivers, & Oceans

Swimming in open water (lakes, rivers, ponds and the ocean) is harder than in a pool. People tire faster and get into trouble more quickly. A person can go under water in a murky lake, making them very hard to find, or be swept away in currents.

·Swim in a lifeguarded area, especially if you are not a strong swimmer.

·Be cautious of sudden drop-offs in lakes and rivers. People who can't swim or aren't strong swimmers have slipped into deeper water and drowned.

·Stay sober when on or in the water. Alcohol and other drugs increase the effects of weather, temperature and wave action.


The Off-Duty Safety Awareness Presentation includes a section dedicated to water-related activities which contains statistics, contributing factors, prevention tips and other relevant information. You can download the full presentation or the Water-Related Activities breakout from the In the Spotlight Series at: https://safety.army.mil/OFF-DUTY/Home-and-Family/Off-Duty-Safety-Awareness-Presentation-2022

For additional information, visit: https://safety.army.mil/OFF-DUTY/Sports-and-Recreation/Water-Safety.


 

PLR 22-070 – PMV-2 Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, PMV-2
A Sergeant assigned to Fort Hood, Texas died in a PMV-2 mishap 13 August 2022 in Killeen, Texas, at 0030 local. The Soldier was traveling north when he lost control while negotiating a turn. He was ejected into the inside lane of northbound traffic and struck by a pick-up truck. The pick-up truck failed to stop and render aid. The Soldier was pronounced dead at the scene. He was wearing the required personnel protective equipment and had completed the Motorcycle Safety Foundation training. It is currently unknown if speed, alcohol, or drugs were a contributing factor. The Killeen Police Department is conducting the investigation.

Since 2017, the Army has lost an average of 25 Soldiers a year to off-duty PMV-2 mishaps. This mishap was the 23rd off-duty PMV-2 fatality of FY22.


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

1. Enhance your visibility

Low visibility is a critical safety risk for motorcycle riding at night. But 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. Wear brightly colored clothing or a jacket before your ride. 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 pick you out with ease.

-Include reflective tape – You can increase your visibility by adding reflective tape to your clothing. Such tapes emit reflective lights at night and will help you increase your safety.

-Use a loud exhaust to be heard – Not only should you make yourself more visible, but you also should be heard. Using a loud exhaust for your motorcycle will cause other road users to hear your approaching movement even before seeing you.


2. Increase your Motorcycle visibility

Here are some of the 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. Never ride your motorcycle with streetlights. 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 clothing, 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. This will increase your safety.

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


Sources for the tips provided: https://helmetsadvisor.com/motorcycle-safety-tips-for-riding-at-night/

Helmets Advisor Safety Blog



 

PLR 22-069 – PMV-4 Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, PMV-4
A 29-year-old Staff Sergeant assigned to Fort Hood, Texas, on deployment orders in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, died in a PMV-4 mishap 27 July 2022 in Klaipeda, Lithuania, at 1800 local. The Soldier was operating a rented vehicle and was stopped at a drawbridge while it was in the raised position. The vehicle moved forward into the open gap, falling into the Dane River. Local divers recovered the Soldier’s body shortly after the event; however, the cause of death is still undetermined. This mishap is under investigation by the Lithuanian authorities.

Since 2017, the Army has lost an average of 35 Soldiers a year to off-duty PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the 26th PMV-4 fatality of FY22.

 

PLR 22-068 – Combat Skills/Military Unique Claims Two Lives

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, Other
A Staff Sergeant and Second Lieutenant assigned as students at Fort Benning, Georgia, died in a combat skills/military unique mishap 9 August 2022 in Cleveland, Georgia, at 1515 local. While conducting mountaineering training, the unit went into its lightning-lockdown procedures as strikes occurred within 10 miles of the area. While the students spread out, the wind blew a large portion of a tree onto five students. Unit medics transported the two fatally injured Soldiers off the mountainside and transferred the Soldiers onto local ambulances with the unit physician’s assistant assisting along the way. The remaining three Soldiers sustained non-fatal injuries and were transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville, Georgia. Two of the Soldiers who suffered non-fatal injuries were discharged. The third injured Soldier was hospitalized for two days and discharged for outpatient care. The USACRC is leading a safety investigation into the mishap.

Since 2017, the Army has lost an average of three Soldiers a year to combat skills/military unique mishaps. This tragedy was the third and fourth combat skills/military unique fatalities of FY22.

 

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