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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 21-057 PMV-4 Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, PMV-4
A Private First Class assigned to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, died 23 April 2021 from injuries sustained in a PMV-4 mishap three weeks earlier in Wayne County, Illinois, at 2240 local. The Soldier was operating her vehicle on 2 April when she ran a red light and was struck by another vehicle. She was transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. Due to complications and her medical prognosis, the Soldier was removed from life support and pronounced dead shortly afterward. The Soldier was reportedly wearing a seat belt during the mishap, which is under investigation. An occupant in the other vehicle died and two others were injured.

Since 2016, the Army has lost an average of 33 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the 25th PMV-4 fatality of FY21.

1. Recognize the “Dilemma Zone”
You’re approaching an intersection, and the light changes from green to yellow. You’re already too close to stop comfortably, but can you make it across the intersection before the light turns red? We’ve all been there, and traffic engineers actually have a name for this phenomenon; it’s called the dilemma zone. It’s a theoretical area about 2.5 to 5.5 seconds away from the stop line, where drivers have a 10 to 90 percent probability of stopping.

When a yellow light is too short, drivers can neither stop safely nor cross the intersection completely before the light turns red. By implementing a longer yellow signal, the dilemma zone can actually be eliminated. But we’re only human, and that moment of indecision can’t be completely eliminated. Instead, the dilemma zone can become an “option zone,” where the yellow light is long enough that within that time and distance, either choice is safe and legal.

2. Know Yellow Light Laws
Approaching that yellow light can be even more nerve-racking if you’re not completely sure what it means. Do you have to stop if it’s safe to do so? What if the light turns red while you’re in the intersection? The answers to these questions vary from state to state.

There are three basic types of laws governing what drivers have to do at a yellow light:
In Louisiana, Rhode Island, Tennessee and West Virginia, drivers may not be in the intersection at all while the signal is red. This means that it’s only legal to enter the intersection on yellow if it can be entirely cleared before the light changes to red.

In Connecticut, Iowa, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, Oregon, Virginia and Wisconsin, drivers may only enter the intersection on yellow unless it is impossible or unsafe to stop.

In the remaining 37 states and Washington, DC, drivers may enter the intersection on a yellow light. Drivers may also legally be in the intersection while the red signal is displayed, as long as they entered while the light was still yellow.

3. Control Your Speed
Speed has a major impact on how efficiently and safely you can travel through stoplights.
Traffic engineers set the length of yellow and all-red signals based on how fast vehicles on the road are expected to travel, and the safe stopping distance they’ll need at that speed. Often, the posted speed limit is used as the assumed approach speed. If you’re driving faster than that speed limit, you’ll need a longer stopping distance, and the yellow light may not be long enough for you to come to a safe stop before the light turns red.

Driving the speed limit can even help you get to your destination faster and more efficiently. Many cities time green lights for vehicles going at or a little below the posted speed limit. As you may have noticed on streets you drive often, if you maintain just the right speed, you can catch a bunch of green lights in a row.

4. Never Drive Drowsy or Distracted
We’ve posted in the past about the danger of driving while using your cellphone, about other driving distractions like tending to child passengers and getting lost in your own thoughts, and about drowsiness, so we’ll keep this reminder brief. It only takes a few seconds for the light to change from green, to yellow, to red, and when we’re not paying full attention, it can be easy for a red light to escape our notice completely. Don’t risk it. Only drive when you’re alert and rested. If you absolutely must use your phone, find a safe place to stop.
Remember, intersections are the number one place for crashes to occur, so always be aware of other drivers and road users, even if it’s legally your turn to cross!

 

 

PLR 21-056 - Military Parachuting Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, Parachute
A Specialist assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, died in a military parachuting mishap 19 April 2021 on Sicily Drop Zone (DZ) at approximately 1240 local. The Soldier was conducting a static-line jump from a UH-60. She was found on Sicily DZ entangled in her parachute with no pulse. The Soldier was medically evacuated to Womack Army Medical Center on Fort Bragg, where she was pronounced dead.

Since FY16, the Army has averaged one military parachuting fatality per year. This was the first military parachuting fatality of FY21 and less than the number of similar mishaps during the same time period last year.

 

 

PLR 21-055 - PMV-4 Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, PMV-4

A Private First Class assigned to Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, died in a PMV-4 mishap 17 April 2021 in Newport News, Virginia, at 1930 local. The Soldier lost control of his vehicle and struck a light/utility post. Local authorities reported that speed was a contributing factor to the mishap. At this time, it is unknown if alcohol was involved or who discovered the mishap and called 911. Due to the severity of the mishap, the Soldier had to be extracted from the vehicle and was pronounced dead at the scene. The unit and safety point of contact are waiting for the local authorities to release their report.

Since 2016, the Army has lost an average of 33 Soldiers a year to off-duty PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the 24th PMV-4 fatality of FY21.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, speeding endangers everyone on the road. In 2018, speeding killed 9,378 people. We all know the frustrations of modern life and juggling a busy schedule, but speed limits are put in place to protect all road users. Learn about the dangers of speeding and why faster doesn’t mean safer.

For more than two decades, speeding has been involved in approximately one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities. In 2018, speeding was a contributing factor in 26% of all traffic fatalities.

Speed also affects your safety even when you are driving at the speed limit but too fast for road conditions, such as during bad weather, when a road is under repair or in an area at night that isn’t well lit.

What drives speeding?

Speeding is a type of aggressive driving behavior. Several factors have contributed to an overall rise in aggressive driving:

  • Traffic — Traffic congestion is one of the most frequently mentioned contributing factors to aggressive driving, such as speeding. Drivers may respond by using aggressive driving behaviors, including speeding, changing lanes frequently or becoming angry at anyone who they believe impedes their progress.
  • Running late — Some people drive aggressively because they have too much to do and are running late for work, school, their next meeting, a soccer game or other appointments.
  • Anonymity — A motor vehicle insulates the driver from the world. Shielded from the outside environment, a driver can develop a sense of detachment, as if an observer of their surroundings rather than a participant. This can lead to some people feeling less constrained in their behavior when they cannot be seen by others and/or when it is unlikely they will ever again see those who witness their behavior.
  • Disregard for others and the law — Most motorists rarely drive aggressively, and some never do. For others, episodes of aggressive driving are frequent, and for a small proportion of motorists, it is their usual driving behavior. Occasional episodes of aggressive driving — such as speeding and changing lanes abruptly — might occur in response to specific situations, like when the driver is late for an important appointment, but is not the driver’s normal behavior.

 

 

PLR 21-054 - PMV-4 Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, PMV-4
A Specialist assigned to Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, died in a PMV-4 mishap 1 Oct 2020, at 0230 local. While traveling south on the highway, the Soldier lost control of his vehicle, veered off of the east shoulder, and traveled an additional 260 feet before landing in a ditch approximately 80 feet east of the shoulder. Soldiers from the unit discovered the mishap scene two days later when the Soldier failed to report for duty and the unit leadership contacted 911. Hawaii State Police and ambulatory services arrived and pronounced the Soldier dead at the scene. Upon discovery, the Soldier was not fastened into his seat, the driver side seat belt was found in the buckled position, and appeared to be fastened underneath the Soldier at the time of the collision. Investigation of the nearby scene and of the Soldier’s vehicle showed no evidence that suggested his vehicle was struck prior to exiting the road and landing in the ditch. The Soldier had a blood alcohol content of .28 which was three times over the legal limit (.08). It was reported that the Soldier was driving at excessive speeds while highly intoxicated.

Since FY16, the Army has lost an average of 33 Soldiers a year to off-duty PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap is the 23rd PMV-4 fatality of FY21.


In 2018, speeding was a contributing factor in 26% of all traffic fatalities. Speed also affects your safety even when you are driving at the speed limit but too fast for road conditions, such as during bad weather, when a road is under repair, or in an area at night that isn’t well lit.

Speeding is more than just breaking the law. The consequences are far-ranging:
- Greater potential for loss of vehicle control;
- Reduced effectiveness of occupant protection equipment;
- Increased stopping distance after the driver perceives a danger;
- Increased degree of crash severity leading to more severe injuries;
- Economic implications of a speed-related crash; and
- Increased fuel consumption/cost.

Of the 22,215 passenger vehicle occupants killed in 2019, 47% were not wearing seat belts. 55% of those killed driving at night in 2019 were unrestrained.

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. 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%
- 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)

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 NHTSA started reporting alcohol data — but still 10,142 people lost their lives. These deaths were all preventable.

Always make good decisions and plan ahead. Here are some solutions to avoid drunk driving:
- Always choose a non-drinking designated driver — every time you go out.
- If you go out alone, do not drink alcohol. Order a non-alcoholic beverage such as a soft drink or water.
- Never feel pressured to drink alcohol. If you do plan on drinking, do so responsibly. Eat plenty of food and drink water.
- If you've been drinking, call a taxi or car-sharing service for a ride, like Uber or Lyft.
- Never get in a car with a driver who has been drinking.
- Protect others by taking their keys if they attempt to drive after consuming alcohol. They may be mad at you, but the alternative is much worse.

Driving a vehicle while impaired is a dangerous crime. Tough enforcement of drunk-driving laws has been a major factor in reducing drunk-driving deaths since the 1980s. Charges range from misdemeanors to felony offenses, and penalties for impaired driving can include driver’s license revocation, fines, and jail time. It’s also extremely expensive. A first-time offense can cost the driver upwards of $10,000 in fines and legal fees.

 

 

PLR 21-053 - PMV-4 Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, PMV-4
A Major assigned to United States Army National Guard, Saint Joseph, Missouri, activated under Title 32 orders for training at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, died in a PMV-4 mishap 13 April 2021 in Pleasant Hill, Missouri. The Soldier was driving to work when he pulled out of a gas station and into the path of an 18-wheeler that hit the driver’s side of the vehicle. After both vehicles came to rest, the truck driver called 911. Emergency Medical Services and Missouri State Highway Patrol arrived, and EMS performed life-saving steps. Initial reports state that the Soldier was not wearing his seat belt. At this time, it is reported that there were no indications of speed and alcohol being contributing factors to the mishap. The Soldier was transported to the local hospital and pronounced dead upon arrival by the attending physician. The civilian truck driver suffered non-fatal injuries. An investigation is currently ongoing by the local authorities.

Since 2016, the Army has lost an average of 33 Soldiers a year to off-duty PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap is the 22nd PMV-4 fatality of FY21.


Do you always wear your seat belt? You should. Statistics show that you're always safer in a car accident wearing a seat belt than not wearing one.
The main purpose of a seat belt is to keep vehicle occupants safe in the event of a crash. The seat belt functions by keeping the occupant in a more static motion despite a sudden stop or change in momentum. A car moves with inertia, which is an object’s tendency to move until something works against the motion of that object.

Knowing is the first step in preventing.

Follow these important seat belt safety tips – they could save your life:
- Always buckle up before driving or riding in a car. This goes for everyone in the vehicle, whether you're sitting in the front or the back.
- Wear the lap belt low across the hips and below your stomach.
- Wear the shoulder belt over your collarbone, away from your neck. It should cross over your chest. In most new cars, you can adjust shoulder belts to improve their height and fit.
-A seat belt that works properly will keep you at a safe distance from the dashboard and the airbag
- Children should never sit in the front passenger seat until they reach at least age 13.
- Secure all young children in child safety seats.
- If you're pregnant and riding in a car, make sure the safety belt is snug against your hips. Loose belts can cause broken ribs or injuries to your belly. Never put a lap belt across your stomach when you're pregnant.

 

 
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