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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 24-022 - PMV-2 Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, PMV-2

A 21-year-old Sergeant assigned to Fort Eisenhower, Georgia, died in a PMV-2 mishap in Augusta, Georgia, at local. The Soldier struck a berm along the roadway as he was exiting the interstate to merge onto the expressway. The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office (RCSO) responded and pronounced the Soldier dead at the scene. The specific circumstances of the mishap, including speed, use of personal protective equipment and completion of the required Motorcycle Safety Foundation training, are currently unknown. Alcohol was not involved. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for RCSO to release its final report.

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

Safety tip HOW TO RIDE SAFELY ON A HIGHWAY

As a motorcycle rider, you will face many challenges while out on the road. One of the most intimidating for motorcycle riders is heading out on the highway. This is understandable, as you can feel exposed, there are multiple lanes, and high-speed limits. Riding on the highway can be safer than navigating city streets. The traffic travels in the same direction, there are limited entrances and exits, there is no cross traffic, and people generally travel at similar speeds.

Choose the Time of Day

Riding during the day is the safest time to ride your motorcycle on the highway. If you have the option, choose daytime riding over nighttime. Staying safe includes being visible while on the road. This is more challenging at night.

Maintain a Wide Viewpoint

The more of the road you can see, the safer you are. This can be a challenge on the highway as heavy traffic in multiple lanes means reduced visibility. Larger trucks also frequent the highway, creating large visual blocks.

Position yourself to the left or right side of your lane. This does two things. First, it keeps you away from the vehicle fluid buildup or debris that tends to gather in the lane center. Second, it increases visibility for you and the other drivers. Staying to the side allows you to see past the vehicle directly in front of you to see down the lane. It also puts you in a position for other drivers to more readily see you.

Stay Aware of Your Surroundings

Maintain situational awareness as you ride on the highway. Regularly scan your surroundings by looking at the road ahead, immediately around, and behind you. Use your mirrors, but don’t solely depend on them. This helps you stay alert and aware of the changing road and traffic conditions. By staying aware, you can react sooner and avoid potentially dangerous situations.

Avoid riding for extended periods next to other vehicles. This can box you in, eliminating your out. An out is an open space that you can maneuver into to avoid something in your lane. If you ride next to other vehicles, it makes it harder to avoid potential collisions.

Response Time

You will hear varying suggestions about how much space to leave between you and the vehicle in front of you. Some say 2-3 seconds. Others say 4-6 seconds. Ultimately, the distance will vary based on your skill, motorcycle, traffic conditions, road condition, and weather. Leave enough space to give you the reaction time necessary for unexpected changes. The faster you ride, the more response time you need.

Stay Focused

Avoid distractions that can take your attention away from the highway and traffic. Keep your music at a level so that you can still hear the traffic around you. Do not use your cellphone to answer calls or text while riding.

Wear comfortable clothing and all required personal protective gear. If you aren’t comfortable, you can easily be distracted. Finally, be aware of becoming zoned out when riding long distances on the highway. You may hear this called highway hypnosis or white-line fever. The long, straight stretches of road are monotonous. Your mind wanders, you lose concentration, and you could feel tired. Taking breaks can help you feel fresh and prevent mental fatigue.

Tips provided by Motorcycle.com, Plymouth Rock Assurance Co. and Rider Insurance Co.

 

 

PLR 24-021 - PMV-4 Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

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

A 21-year-old Private First Class assigned to Fort Liberty, North Carolina, died in a PMV-4 mishap at local. The Soldier was operating her vehicle when she struck a barrier at an unused access control point. Another Soldier driving came upon the mishap site and notified 911. Fort Liberty emergency medical services arrived on scene and transported the Soldier to the local hospital. Upon arrival, the Soldier was pronounced dead. Speed and alcohol were reported as contributing factors. It is unknown if the Soldier was wearing her seat belt. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for local law enforcement to release its final report.

Since FY19, the Army has lost an average of 35 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the 10th fatality of FY24 and above the number of fatalities for the same time last year.

Safety tip

Speeding is a major factor in traffic deaths and injuries. The role of speeding in crashes is described in terms of its effect on the driver, the vehicle and the road. Excessive speeding reduces the amount of time the driver has to react in a dangerous situation to avoid a crash, increases vehicle stopping distance, and reduces the ability of road safety structures (such as guardrails, impact attenuators, crash cushions, median dividers and concrete barriers) to protect vehicle occupants in a crash.

Speeding was a factor in 29% of all traffic fatalities in , killing 12,330, or an average of over 33 people per day. The total number of fatal motor-vehicle crashes attributable to speeding was 11,057. A crash is considered speeding-related if the driver was charged with a speeding-related offense or if racing, driving too fast for conditions or exceeding the posted speed limit was indicated as a contributing factor in the crash.

is the third consecutive year with an increase of speeding-related deaths. In addition, the percent of deaths involving speeding (29%) is above the historic low set in when 26% of deaths involved speeding. Speeding-related deaths increased 7.9% from and were the most deaths recorded since .

The proportion of speeding-related crashes to all fatal crashes in decreased as the age of the driver increased. The proportion of female drivers who were speeding is smaller than male drivers across all age groups. Young male drivers in the 15-20 and 21-24 year age groups were the most likely to be speeding at the time of fatal crashes. In , at least 31% of male drivers in these age groups that were involved in fatal crashes were speeding at the time of the crash, compared to 19% of female drivers in these two youngest age groups.

Alcohol-impaired driving continues to be one of the biggest safety issues on U.S. roads. In , 13,384 people were killed in alcohol-impaired crashes, an increase of 14.2% from the 11,718 deaths in and the most deaths recorded since . Alcohol-impaired driving crashes involve at least one driver or motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 grams per deciliter (g/dL) or higher.

About 16% of drivers in fatal crashes who test positive for alcohol fall below the 0.08 g/dL BAC legal limit. About half of the drivers in fatal crashes that test positive for alcohol have BACs of 0.16 g/dL or higher. The prevalence of positive BAC levels peak at the 0.16 and 1.17 g/dL levels and steadily decline as BAC levels increase.

Speeding and alcohol impairment often coincide; this varies with driver age. While 24% of speeding drivers under age 21 involved in fatal crashes are alcohol impaired (BAC = 0.08+ g/dL), 40% or more in the 21 to 54 age groups are impaired. The percent of alcohol-impaired drivers falls sharply to 33% among 55-64-year-old drivers and continues to decline as the driver’s age increases.

Data provide by National Safety Council and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

 

 

PLR 24-020 - PMV-4 Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

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

A 40-year-old Active Guard Reserve First Sergeant assigned to the U.S. Army Reserve, Vallejo, California, on operational support orders died in a PMV-4 mishap in Stockton, California, at local. The Soldier was driving his van in the northbound lane when a tire detached from a concrete pumping trailer that was being towed by a 2019 Chevrolet pickup truck in the southbound lane. As a result, the trailer tire crossed over the guardrail and struck the front of the Soldier’s van. The California Highway Patrol (CHP) responded and pronounced the Soldier dead at the scene. The Soldier’s wife and three children were transported to the local hospital for minor injuries and discharged. According to CHP alcohol or drugs are not considered to be a factor.

Since FY19, the Army has lost an average of 35 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the ninth fatality of FY24 and above the number of fatalities for the same time last year.

 

 

PLR 24-019 - PMV-2 Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, PMV-2

A Specialist assigned to Fort Shafter, Hawaii, died in a PMV-2 mishap in Oahu, Hawaii, at local. The Soldier reportedly was involved in a motorcycle accident. Local law enforcement responded to the scene and discovered the Soldier dead. The specific circumstances of the mishap, including details about the mishap sequence, completion of the required Motorcycle Safety Foundation training, proper licensing, speed, use of personal protective equipment or alcohol, are currently unknown. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for local law enforcement to release its final report.

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

 

 

PLR 24-018 - PMV-4 Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

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

A 43-year-old Active Guard Reserve Sergeant First Class assigned to the U.S. Army Reserve, Kansas City, Missouri, died in a PMV-4 mishap at local. The Soldier reportedly was traveling on the interstate when his vehicle was hit head on by another vehicle that crossed into his lane. The Kansas Highway Patrol (KHP) responded and pronounced the Soldier dead at the scene. The involvement of speed, use of alcohol and seat belts are unknown at this time. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for KHP to release its final report.

Since FY19, the Army has lost an average of 35 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the eighth fatality of FY24 and above the number of fatalities for the same time last year.

Safety tip

Head-on motor vehicle collisions are deadly. Since 2019, head-on collisions have been the cause of nearly 30% of roadway deaths with other vehicles, according to the National Safety Council.

Read the road ahead. Scan ahead to watch for hazards on the road a few miles ahead whenever possible. The sooner you notice something wrong on the road ahead, the greater the reaction time, such as if an oncoming vehicle crosses the centerline. Also, check the shoulder of the road to see if you've got room to pull over. Watch the space between the left-front tire of any approaching vehicle and the centerline. If the spacing is becoming smaller, that vehicle may be about to stray into your lane.

Drive to the right. When possible, always drive slightly to the right of the center of your lane to create extra space between you and other vehicles. On multi-lane roadways, leave one lane to the left open. If facing a head-on collision, drive right onto the shoulder. Never swerve into the left lane. If the other driver instinctively pulls their vehicle back into the proper lane, you may experience a collision in the other lane.

Reduce your speed. If you see a hazard ahead, immediately reduce your speed. This allows extra time to react to a potential road hazard and gives the oncoming driver time to recover and return to the correct lane. Don't slam on the brakes or swerve to avoid a head-on collision. If you stop abruptly, you may be struck from behind – and potentially pushed forward into the oncoming vehicle.

Ride off the road. If you must choose between a head-on collision and riding onto the shoulder, your chances of survival are much better on the shoulder. If you cannot avoid hitting another vehicle, try to steer your vehicle closer to the shoulder so that instead of colliding head-on with the other vehicle, you may only sideswipe one another. Every inch off center reduces the impact of the collision – and increases your chance for survival.

Tips provided by the National Safety Council.

 

 
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