X

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 24-087 – PMV-4 Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, Automobiles

A 36-year-old Sergeant First Class assigned to Fort Huachuca, Arizona, died in a PMV-4 mishap in Tyler, Texas, at local. The Soldier was riding in a vehicle traveling westbound on the highway when a semi-truck traveling eastbound attempted to pass other vehicles and struck them head-on. The specific circumstances of the mishap are currently unknown.

Since FY19, the Army has lost an average of 35 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the 34th off-duty PMV-4 mishap of FY24 and below the number of fatalities for the same time last year.

Safety tip

In , head-on motor vehicle collisions were responsible for nearly 30% of the 16,700 U.S. roadway deaths that resulted from crashes with other vehicles, according to the National Safety Council (NSC).

You can help prevent a potential head-on collision before it occurs. The NSC has developed a lifesaving method for drivers to use: The four R’s.

Read the road ahead. Scan ahead to the top of the next hill, curve or intersection to recognize hazards. This’ll help you see and react faster 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 center line. If the spacing is becoming smaller, that vehicle may be about to stray into your lane.

Drive to the right. Drive slightly to the right of center of your lane to create an extra space between you and other vehicles. On multi-lane roadways, leave one lane to the left open. When 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’ll have a collision in that lane.

Reduce your speed. If you see a hazard ahead, immediately reduce your speed. This gives you extra time and gives the oncoming driver time to recover and move back into the correct lane. Don’t slam on the brakes or swerve. And never stop your vehicle. If you stop completely, you may be struck from behind – and potentially pushed forward into the oncoming vehicle.

Ride off the road. If you have to choose between a head-on collision and riding onto the shoulder, your chances of survival are much better on the shoulder. If you must hit something, steer your vehicle to hit the object with a glancing blow rather than head-on. Every inch off center reduces the impact of the collision – and increases your chance for survival.

 

 

PLR 24-086 – PMV-4 Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, Automobiles
A 26-year-old Sergeant assigned to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, died in a PMV-4 mishap 30 August 2024 near the base at 0700 local. The Soldier and his wife (passenger) were traveling in their vehicle when he lost control and swerved off the road, striking a tree. Both occupants died in the mishap. The specific circumstances of the mishap, including the use of seat belts, speed or the involvement of alcohol, are currently unknown.

Since FY19, the Army has lost an average of 35 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the 33rd off-duty PMV-4 mishap of FY24 and equal to the number of fatalities for the same time last year.

Safety tip

On average, there are over 6 million passenger vehicle accidents in the U.S. every year. Road crashes are the leading cause of death in the country, resulting in more than 38,000 people losing their lives each year.

Avoid distractions - Distractions can slow your reaction time, which can be especially dangerous at high speeds. Always keep 100% of your attention on driving – no multi-tasking. Don't use your phone or any other electronic device while driving.

Avoid cruise control - Cruise control can cause your vehicle to accelerate unpredictably, which can reduce your reaction time and control.

Control your speed - Accelerating by just 5 mph could increase your chances of crashing by 3%.

Maintain/Gain vehicle control – Avoid accelerating if the vehicle loses control. Don't step on the gas pedal, as this can increase the risk of a deadly accident. Steer slowly: Gently steer the vehicle in the direction you want to go. Don't step on the gas pedal, as this can increase the risk of a deadly accident. Apply brakes: If your vehicle has anti-lock brakes (ABS), apply firm and continuous pressure to the brakes. If your vehicle doesn't have ABS, pump the brakes gently. Shift into neutral: Shift into neutral. Drive out of danger: Before stopping, check around to ensure you're out of danger.

Keep a safe distance - Keeping a safe distance between you and other vehicles is one of the best ways to avoid an accident. Keep a 2-second cushion between you and the car in front of you. Make that 4 seconds if the weather conditions are severe.

Defensive driving - Be aware of what other drivers are doing and expect the unexpected. Anticipate that other motorists will do something unsafe, and always be prepared to avoid it.

Plan your route - Planning your route before you get behind the wheel can help you avoid distractions like trying to read a map or looking down at your GPS.

Prepare your vehicle - Give your car a quick check to ensure everything is in working order, such as checking that your tires are in good condition.

Respect other drivers - Respecting other drivers' maneuvers and being more understanding of other people's mistakes can improve behavior on the road.

Familiarize yourself with your car - Learning the ins and outs of your vehicle, such as the locations of controls, can help prevent panic if you suddenly need to use them.

Practice safety - Secure cargo that may move around while the vehicle is in motion. Don't attempt to retrieve items that fall to the floor. Have items needed within easy reach or ask a passenger to assist.
 

 

PLR 24-082 – PMV-4 Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, Automobiles

A 27-year-old First Lieutenant assigned to Fort Liberty, North Carolina, died in a PMV-4 mishap in Thomson, Georgia, at local. The Soldier was driving his vehicle when he rear-ended a semi-truck that was stopped on the roadway due to a traffic accident. The McDuffie County Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Georgia State Highway Patrol and McDuffie County Coroner’s Office responded to the accident scene. EMS attempted lifesaving measures but were unsuccessful. The Soldier was pronounced dead at the scene. The specific circumstance of the mishap, including the use of a seat belt, speed or the involvement of alcohol, is currently unknown.

Since FY19, the Army has lost an average of 35 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the 32nd off-duty PMV-4 mishap of FY24 and above the number of fatalities for the same time last year.

Safety tip

Focus on driving

Ignoring distractions and maintaining focus on the road is key to driving safely. To keep focused while driving, you should follow these steps:

  • Keep 100% of your attention on driving at all times – no multi-tasking.
  • Don’t use your phone or any other electronic device while driving.
  • Slow down. Speeding gives you less time to react and increases the severity of an accident.

Defensive driving

What is defensive driving? Defensive driving is when motorists use accident-preventing techniques with a focus on driving safely. You may even be eligible for a defensive driving discount. To practice defensive driving:

  • Be aware of what other drivers around you are doing and expect the unexpected.
  • Assume other motorists will do something crazy and always be prepared to avoid it.
  • Keep a 2-second cushion between you and the car in front of you.
  • Make that 4 seconds if the weather is bad.

Make a safe driving plan

  • Build time into your trip schedule to stop for food, rest breaks, phone calls or other business.
  • Adjust your seat, mirrors and climate controls before putting the car in gear.
  • Pull over to eat or drink. It takes only a few minutes.

Practice safety

  • Secure cargo that may move around while the vehicle is in motion.
  • Don’t attempt to retrieve items that fall to the floor.
  • Have items needed within easy reach – such as toll fees, toll cards and garage passes.
  • Always wear your seat belt and drive sober and drug-free.

Tips provided by Nationwide Insurance, NHTSA and NSC

 

 

PLR 24-077 – PMV-4 Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, Automobiles

An 18-year-old Private First Class assigned to Fort Bliss, Texas, died in a PMV-4 mishap near Hancock, Texas, at local. The Soldier was involved in a single vehicle mishap when her vehicle veered off the road. The local Justice of the Peace pronounced her dead at the scene. The specific circumstances of the mishap, including seat belt use, speed or alcohol, are currently unknown.

Since FY19, the Army has lost an average of 35 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the 31st fatality of FY24 and above the number of fatalities for the same time last year.

Safety tip

Overview

Drowsy driving kills — but is preventable. Learn about three factors commonly associated with drowsy-driving crashes and pick up some helpful tips to avoid falling asleep at the wheel.

The number of fatalities involving drowsy drivers was 693 or 1.6 percent of total traffic fatalities in .

This represents a 1.1-percent decrease from 701 in .

Fatigue has costly effects on the safety, health, and quality of life of the American public. Whether fatigue is caused by sleep restriction due to a new baby waking every couple of hours, a late or long shift at work, hanging out late with friends, or a long and monotonous drive for the holidays – the negative outcomes can be the same. These include impaired cognition and performance, motor vehicle crashes, workplace accidents, and health consequences.

Tackling these issues can be difficult when our lifestyle does not align with avoiding drowsy driving. In a 24/7 society, with an emphasis on work, longer commutes, and exponential advancement of technology, many people do not get the sleep they need. Effectively dealing with the drowsy-driving problem requires fundamental changes to societal norms and especially attitudes about drowsy driving.

The terms drowsy, sleepy, and fatigue are used interchangeably although there are differences in the way these terms are used and understood.

NHTSA’s census of fatal crashes and estimate of traffic-related crashes and injuries rely on police and hospital reports to determine the incidence of drowsy-driving crashes.

NHTSA estimates that in , 91,000 police-reported crashes involved drowsy drivers. These crashes led to an estimated 50,000 people injured and nearly 800 deaths. But there is broad agreement across the traffic safety, sleep science, and public health communities that this is an underestimate of the impact of drowsy driving.

Drowsy-driving crashes

  1. Occur most frequently between midnight and 6 a.m., or in the late afternoon. At both times of the day, people experience dips in their circadian rhythm—the human body’s internal clock that regulates sleep;
  2. Often involve only a single driver (and no passengers) running off the road at a high rate of speed with no evidence of braking; and
  3. Frequently occur on rural roads and highways.

How To Avoid Driving Drowsy

  1. Getting adequate sleep on a daily basis is the only true way to protect yourself against the risks of driving when you’re drowsy. Experts urge consumers to make it a priority to get seven to eight hours of sleep per night. For more information on healthy sleep, see In Brief: Your Guide to Healthy Sleep (PDF, 1.81 MB) at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute website.
  2. Before the start of a long family car trip, get a good night’s sleep, or you could put your entire family and others at risk.
  3. Many teens do not get enough sleep at a stage in life when their biological need for sleep increases, which makes them vulnerable to the risk of drowsy-driving crashes, especially on longer trips. Advise your teens to delay driving until they’re well-rested.
  4. Avoid drinking any alcohol before driving. Consumption of alcohol interacts with sleepiness to increase drowsiness and impairment.
  5. Always check your prescription and over-the-counter medication labels to see if drowsiness could result from their use.
  6. If you take medications that could cause drowsiness as a side effect, use public transportation when possible.
  7. If you drive, avoid driving during the peak sleepiness periods (midnight – 6 a.m. and late afternoon). If you must drive during the peak sleepiness periods, stay vigilant for signs of drowsiness, such as crossing over roadway lines or hitting a rumble strip, especially if you’re driving alone.

Short-Term Intervention

  1. Drinking coffee or energy drinks alone is not always enough. They might help you feel more alert, but the effects last only a short time, and you might not be as alert as you think you are. If you drink coffee and are seriously sleep-deprived, you still may have “micro sleeps” or brief losses of consciousness that can last for four or five seconds. This means that at 55 miles per hour, you’ve traveled more than 100 yards down the road while asleep. That’s plenty of time to cause a crash.
  2. If you start to get sleepy while you’re driving, drink one to two cups of coffee and pull over for a short 20-minute nap in a safe place, such as a lighted, designated rest stop. This has been shown to increase alertness in scientific studies, but only for short time periods.

Tips provide by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

 

 

PLR 24-073 - PMV-4 Mishap Claims One Soldier’s Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, Automobiles

A 23-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Drum, New York, died in a PMV-4 mishap in Dexter, New York, at local. The Soldier’s vehicle ran off the road and into a river. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) responded, removed the Soldier from the submerged vehicle and began lifesaving measures. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for the JCSO 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 30th off-duty PMV-4 mishap of FY24 and above the number of PMV-4 fatalities for the same time last year.

 

 
123468910Last