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Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

MEDIA Preliminary Loss Reports

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 25-002 - PMV-2 Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, Motorcycles

A 22-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, died in a PMV-2 mishap in Clarksville, Tennessee, at local. The Soldier was riding his motorcycle when he collided with a tractor-trailer. The use of personal protective equipment, training, speed and the involvement of alcohol or drugs are currently unknown. The Clarksville Police Department is leading the investigation.

Since FY20, the Army has lost an average of 29 Soldiers a year to PMV-2 mishaps. This mishap was the first PMV-2 fatality of FY25 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety tip

Do riders follow too closely?

A study found that one of the most common motorcycle crashes is riders running into the rear-end of vehicles in front because they follow too closely.

The Virginia Tech Transportation Institute motorcycle crash study for Motorcycle Safety Foundation chose 100 volunteer riders to carry cameras so they could study their behavior.

They recorded more than half a million miles of riding which included 30 crashes and 122 near-misses.

While the study is just the start of their real-world analysis, it did reveal the most common incident (35 crashes or near-misses) was riders crashing or just missing the rear-end of the vehicle in front.

Riders often complain about being tailgated, but there is also a tendency for riders to follow vehicles closely. I confess to doing it myself.

The reason we follow closely is because a rider doesn't have a bonnet/hood blocking their view of the road ahead.

Car drivers can't see about 10 meters of road in front of them, so their visible road gap to the next vehicle is already 10 meters. If they then leave a gap of visible road, that is on top of the 10 meters.

Riders don't have that 10-meter buffer. They see all of the road in front of their front tire, so they tend to creep up closer to the vehicle in front, erroneously believing they are leaving a reasonable gap.

We also tend to want to overtake vehicles in front of us, so we follow closely to overtake quickly.

STOPPING DISTANCES

The problem is that a car with four large rubber contact patches on the bitumen will stop a lot faster than a motorcycle with two narrow tires.

So, if a vehicle stops suddenly, a rider has a lot less stopping distance before hitting the vehicle.

Also, it only takes a moment's inattention and a stopped vehicle that is suddenly turning across the traffic looms up on us.

We need to leave a three-second gap when we follow a vehicle. To gauge the gap, watch the rear of the vehicle in front pass a roadside object, then count to three and your bike should then be alongside that same object.

WEAVING TO AVOID A REAR-ENDER

Another cause of these rear-end incidents is that bikes cannot weave around a wide object, such as a vehicle in front, as quickly as a car can.

Yes, you may be able to steer or countersteer your bike quickly, but after a quick flick of the bars, it tends to stand back up again.

Try it yourself. Steer or countersteer the bike at any speed and see how far you go before the bike wants to stop steering and run straight again.

So, if you are following a vehicle closely and it suddenly stops, you have less chance of avoiding the rear-end of the vehicle. That's especially true if you are riding in the middle of the lane like in the photo below.

You can increase your chances of weaving around the vehicle if you are riding in the left or right wheel track (depending on circumstances and whether it's a left-drive or right-drive country).

In this position, you have less distance to weave and avoid the vehicle in front.

Tips provided by Web Bike World

 

 

PLR 24-092 - PMV-2 Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, Motorcycles
A 24-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, died in a PMV-2 mishap 21 September 2024 in Clarksville, Tennessee, at 0230 local. The Soldier was riding his motorcycle when he lost control, exited the roadway and struck a utility pole. The Soldier’s friends found him in a ditch and notified emergency services, who pronounced him dead at the scene. The use of personal protective equipment, training, speed and the involvement of alcohol or drugs are currently unknown. The Clarksville Police Department are leading the investigation.

Since FY19, the Army has lost an average of 28 Soldiers a year to PMV-2 mishaps. This mishap was the 35th PMV-2 fatality of FY24 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety tip

9 Tips for Riding Safely at Night
Now that you know the challenges that come with riding at night, let's take a look at some of the steps you can take.

1. Don't Look Directly into Headlights
It's important to avoid looking directly into oncoming headlights. The bright lights can cause temporary blindness and impair your vision at night, making it difficult to see other hazards on the road.
Instead, focus on the lane markings or the road's edge to maintain a clear view.

2. Don't Indulge in Risky Behavior
Why increase the risk? Stay within the speed limit, maintain a defensive riding style and anticipate potential dangers on the road.

3. Use a Clear Visor for Night Riding
Dark-tinted visors meant for daytime use can significantly reduce lack of visibility in low-light conditions.
A clear visor will provide better clarity, allowing you to see the road and potential obstacles more clearly.

4. Check Your Lights and Make Yourself Visible
Before setting off on a nighttime ride, and as part of your pre-ride checklist, ensure all your motorcycle lights work properly.
Check the headlights, taillights, turn signals and brake lights so you can see and be seen by other road users.
You may even consider adding extra auxiliary lighting to enhance your visibility, especially on poorly lit roads. However, some local regulations prohibit using colored or indirect lighting during vehicle operation on public streets. Check local regulations before installation.

5. Avoid Alcohol and Drugs
It should go without saying, but riding a motorcycle under the influence of alcohol or drugs is extremely dangerous at any time of day.
These substances impair your judgment, coordination and reaction times, increasing the likelihood of an incident.
Always ride sober and ensure your abilities are not compromised!

6. High-Visibility Clothing/Gear
It's not just about defensive riding. Dressing in bright fluorescent colors and reflective clothing can significantly enhance your visibility to other drivers.
Opt for high-visibility jackets, vests or helmets with reflective elements. These increase the chances of other motorists seeing you, especially in low-light conditions.

7. Reflective Tape and Decals
Another way to make yourself more visible is to apply reflective tape or decals.
Place them strategically on the front and rear of your bike, as well as on the sides. The reflective surfaces will catch the light from other vehicles and enhance your overall visibility on the road.

8. Maintain Safe Driving Distances
Maintaining a safe following distance is especially important at night when visibility is reduced and unexpected hazards may be harder to spot.
You'll have more time to react to sudden stops or obstacles in the road.

9. Leverage The Lights of Other Vehicles
Last but not least, when riding at night, it can be helpful to use the lights of other vehicles to your advantage.
Keep an eye on their taillights, as they can illuminate the road ahead, helping you see curves, potholes or road debris.
However, always maintain a safe distance and never tailgate other vehicles.

Tips provided by Harley-Davidson
 

 

PLR 24-089 - PMV-2 Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, Motorcycles

A 26-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Drum, New York, died in a PMV-2 mishap in Evans Mills, New York, at local. The Soldier was riding his motorcycle when he lost control, exited the roadway and struck a drainage ditch. He was reportedly wearing the proper personal protective equipment. Speed, alcohol/drug use and training are currently unknown. The New York State Police are leading the investigation.

Since FY19, the Army has lost an average of 28 Soldiers a year to PMV-2 mishaps. This mishap was the 34th PMV-2 fatality of FY24 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety tip

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines a crash to be speeding-related if any driver involved in the crash is charged with a speeding-related offense or if a police officer indicates that racing, driving too fast for conditions or exceeding the posted speed limit was a contributing factor in the crash. Speeding-related fatalities have generally decreased over the last decade, as shown in the figure below. However, speeding and racing increased during the early months of the pandemic in . In , there were 12,330 speeding-related fatalities, an increase of 8% from the 11,428 fatalities in (Stewart, ). Speeding was a contributing factor for 29% of fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes in the United States in , the highest percentage since (NCSA, ; Stewart, ). Speeding is legally defined by States and municipalities in terms of a “basic speed rule” and statutory maximum speed limits. The basic speed rule generally requires drivers to operate a vehicle at a speed that is reasonable and prudent for roadway conditions. Deciding to take enforcement action is at the law enforcement officer’s discretion, which may be affected by weather, surface conditions, traffic volume, and special locations (e.g., work zones, school zones, or other environmental conditions). Statutory speed limits set maximum limits for different types of roads, and generally apply to all roads of that type even when the limits are not posted. Generally applicable limits can be superseded by specific limits posted for roadway segments, usually determined by an engineering study.

Speeding can be dangerous on all types of roads, but particularly on non-interstate rural and urban roadways. In some 38% of speeding-related fatalities occurred on non-interstate rural roadways, another 49% on non-interstate urban roadways, 8% on interstate urban roadways, and 5% on interstate rural roadways (NCSA, ). These percentages do not, however, account for the extent of miles of each road type or VMT on these different road types.

Drivers widely admit to speeding in national surveys. Forty-three percent of drivers in a nationally representative online survey reported driving more than 15 mph over the limit on a freeway in the past month (AAAFTS, ). Almost the same percentage admitted to speeding more than 10 mph over the limit on a residential street within the past month.

Speeding becomes an element of aggressive driving when a vehicle’s speed substantially exceeds the prevailing travel speeds of other vehicles, and other driving behaviors contribute to unsafe conditions, such as tailgating, weaving, and rapid lane changes. Speeding is a more clearly defined problem than aggressive driving, and strategies to reduce speeding (and other serious traffic law violations) may provide a means to address the problem of aggressive driving. However, speeding is among the most complex traffic safety issues to address and requires a multi-disciplinary approach.

Tips provided by NHTSA.

 

 

PLR 24-083 - PMV-2 Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, Motorcycles

A 20-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, died in a PMV-2 mishap in Clarksville, Tennessee, at local. The Soldier was riding his motorcycle when he ran off the road and stuck a sign pole. He was reportedly riding at a high rate of speed. The use of personal protective equipment and completion of Motorcycle Safety Foundation training are currently unknown.

Since FY19, the Army has lost an average of 28 Soldiers a year to PMV-2 mishaps. This mishap was the 33rd PMV-2 fatality of FY24 and equal to the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

Safety tip

If you ride a motorcycle, you already know how much fun riding can be. You understand the exhilaration of cruising the open road and the challenge of controlling a motorcycle. But motorcycling also can be dangerous. Per vehicle miles traveled in 2022, motorcyclists were about 22 times more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to die in a motor vehicle crash and were four times more likely to be injured. Safe motorcycling takes balance, coordination and good judgment.

Riding a motorcycle is among the riskier modes of transportation. Not only does operating a motorcycle require more physical skill and strength than driving a passenger vehicle, but motorcycles lack a protective structure, offering the rider virtually no protection in a crash. Furthermore, the motorcycle’s smaller size relative to most motor vehicles may make it less visible to drivers and more vulnerable in a collision with larger, heavier passenger vehicles and trucks.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) considers a traffic crash to be speeding-related if the driver was charged with a speeding-related offense or if an investigating police officer indicated that racing, driving too fast for conditions or exceeding the posted speed limit was a contributing factor in the crash. Thirty-five percent of all motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes in 2022 were speeding, compared to 22 percent for passenger car drivers, 15 percent for light-truck drivers and 6 percent for large-truck drivers.

Ride Responsibly

Experienced riders know local traffic laws — and they don't take risks. Obey traffic lights, signs, speed limits and lane markings; ride with the flow of traffic and leave plenty of room between your bike and other vehicles; and always check behind you and signal before you change lanes. Remember to ride defensively. The majority of multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes generally are caused when other drivers simply didn't see the motorcyclist. Proceed cautiously at intersections and yield to pedestrians and other vehicles as appropriate. You can increase your visibility by applying reflective materials to your motorcycle and by keeping your motorcycle's headlights on at all times, even using high beams during the day.

Tips provide by NHTSA.

 

 

PLR 24-081 - PMV-2 Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, Motorcycles

A 23-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Liberty, North Carolina, died in a PMV-2 mishap in Fayetteville, North Carolina, at local. The Soldier was on leave and riding his motorcycle when he collided with another vehicle. Emergency medical services transported him to Cape Fear Valley Medical Center, where he died from his injuries. He completed Motorcycle Safety Foundation training 5 March 2024 and was wearing the proper personal protective equipment. Speed and alcohol involvement are currently unknown.

Since FY19, the Army has lost an average of 28 Soldiers a year to PMV-2 mishaps. This mishap was the 32nd PMV-2 fatality of FY24 and equal to the number of fatalities for this same time last year.

 

 
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