Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

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 Private First Class assigned to Fort Stewart, Georgia, died in an on-duty sports, recreation, and physical training mishap occurring 22 April 2022, on the installation. The Soldier was conducting a lap swim as part of pool duty certification when he submerged and did not resurface. Class lifeguards pulled the Soldier from underwater and identified a bleeding head injury and no detectable heartbeat. A lifeguard administered CPR until emergency medical services personnel arrived. The Soldier was transported to the local hospital, where he was treated for cardiac arrest and drowning. He was subsequently medically evacuated to a hospital in Savannah, where he was placed on life support. The Soldier was removed from life support three days later following organ donation.

Since FY17, the Army has lost an average of one Soldier a year to on-duty sports, recreation, and physical training mishaps. This tragedy was the second on-duty sports, recreation, and physical training mishap of FY22.


Safety is the first concern when training Soldiers in and around water. The following factors are important:

·Know the swimming ability level of each Soldier.
·Monitor Soldiers for overexertion and fatigue.
·Encourage Soldiers to communicate symptoms of overexertion and fatigue.
·Ensure instructors/lifeguards are properly trained and certified.
·Make sure appropriate safety equipment is serviceable and on-site.
·Use the buddy system. (Pair a strong swimmer with a weaker one)
·Have safety and emergency action plans in place and verify all participants understand them.

 

A 23-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, died in a GMV mishap 28 April 2022 on the installation at 1154 local. The Soldier was ejected from a HMMWV that overturned. Three other Soldiers were also ejected and evacuated to a higher-level medical center. Their injuries are currently unknown. Initial reports indicate that the Soldiers were not wearing their seat belts. The mishap is under investigation by the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center.

Since 2017, the Army has experienced an average of 10 GMV fatalities per year. This was the fourth GMV fatality of FY22 and above the number of GMV fatalities during the same time period last year.


Wearing seat belts and following the posted speed limits not only apply off-duty but must also be enforced while on-duty. Safety while training is always a priority and requires leader involvement:

•Conduct reconnaissance of the route and terrain prior to a convoy. Ensure identified hazards (water crossings, bridges, complex terrain, etc.) are addressed with appropriate controls in the DRAW.
•Conduct mission-specific crew rehearsals.
•Ensure proper pre-combat checks and inspections are conducted.
•Ensure PMCS is conducted on equipment to include inspection and serviceability of restraint systems.
•Establish load plans for equipment and gear and verify equipment is loaded evenly for weight distribution.
•Ensure drivers are properly trained and licensed in accordance with Army Regulation 600-55, and pair individuals with limited driving experience with more experienced drivers.
•Follow and adhere to all posted speed limits and traffic caution signs. Include speed controls while corning or approaching a downslope in convoy briefs.
•Leadership oversight/enforcement is a must to ensure everyone knows and adheres to the standards.

 

A 20-year-old Private First Class assigned to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, died in a GMV mishap 25 April 2022 at the Yakima Training Center (YTC), Washington, at approximately 0540 local. The unit was executing a four-vehicle convoy, as the convoy moved down a hill, when the driver of an M1083 lost control of the vehicle resulting in the vehicle rolling several times. County and YTC emergency services, installation range control, and the U.S. Army Air Ambulance Detachment responded. Upon arrival, one Soldier was pronounced dead and two others were medevac'd to Yakima Memorial Hospital. The U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center is leading a safety investigation into the mishap.

Since 2017, the Army has experienced an average of 10 GMV fatalities per year. This was the third GMV fatality of FY22 and above the number of GMV fatalities during the same time period last year.


Safety Tips:
-When approaching a steep hill or slope the driver must adjust the vehicle speed to allow a "Speed Cushion" for maneuvering. Drivers should come to a complete stop and downshift to a lower transmission gear range enabling the engine to become a braking action that helps control vehicle speed.

-If the vehicle begins to skid due to a slippery surface, apply moderate acceleration, reduce speed, apply moderate brake pressure, and make no quick or fast turns.

-Drivers of large vehicles will require additional space ahead of the vehicles in front. If the vehicle ahead should slow or stop, you will need more distance to stop your vehicle. As a general rule, you need at least one second for every 10 feet of vehicle length at speeds up to 40 mph. At higher speeds, you must add an additional second for every 10 feet.

-Ensure drivers have been properly trained and licensed on the vehicle they are operating and that they receive convoy training IAW ATP 4-11, to address the concerns of high center-of-gravity, high ground pressure, large size tires, and reduced visibility associated with Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles and other large vehicles.

-Ensuring vehicle seat belts are used to provide the ability to remain restrained to a stable surface is an essential component of safety and survival. Seat belts should be worn at all times and enforced by leadership as a tactical discipline.