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Preliminary Loss Reports (PLRs)

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 24-002 - PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, Pedestrian
A 28-year-old Sergeant assigned to Fort Cavazos, Texas, died in a PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishap 8 October 2023 in Austin, Texas, at 0315 local. The Soldier was struck by a civilian vehicle while crossing the street at a crosswalk and sustained fatal injuries. The Austin Police Department (APD) responded to the scene. It is currently unknown where the Soldier was coming from or headed or who notified 911. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for APD to release its final report.

Since 2019, the Army has lost an average of five Soldiers a year to off-duty PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist mishaps. This was the first off-duty PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist fatality of FY24 and above the number of off-duty PMV-Pedestrian/Non-Motorist fatalities from this time last year.
 

Safety tips

At some point in the day, everyone is a pedestrian. Unfortunately, pedestrian injuries and fatalities remain high. In 2021, 7,388 pedestrians were killed – a 13 percent increase from 2020 – and more than 60,000 pedestrians were injured nationwide. NHTSA raises awareness of the dangers to pedestrians and provides tips to keep pedestrians safe. 

8 Walking Safety Tips 

  • Follow the rules of the road and obey signs and signals. 
  • Walk on sidewalks whenever they are available. 
  • If there is no sidewalk, walk facing traffic and as far from traffic as possible. 
  • Cross streets at crosswalks or intersections. Look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right. 
  • If a crosswalk or intersection is not available, locate a well-lit area where you have the best view of traffic. Wait for a gap in traffic that allows enough time to cross safely; continue watching for traffic as you cross. 
  • Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways or backing up in parking lots. 
  • Avoid alcohol and drugs when walking; they impair your abilities and your judgment. 
  • Embrace walking as a healthy form of transportation – get up, get out and get moving. 

8 Safety Tips for Drivers 

  • Look out for pedestrians everywhere, at all times. 
  • Use extra caution when driving in hard-to-see conditions, such as nighttime or bad weather. 
  • Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or otherwise entering a crosswalk. 
  • Yield to pedestrians in crosswalks and stop well back from the crosswalk to give other vehicles an opportunity to see the crossing pedestrians so they can stop too. 
  • Never pass vehicles stopped at a crosswalk. There may be people crossing where you can’t see. 
  • Never drive under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. 
  • Follow the speed limit, especially around people on the street, in school zones and in neighborhoods where children are present. 
  • Be extra cautious when backing up and look for pedestrians. 

Tips provided by NHTSA 

 

 

PLR 24-001 – GMV Mishap Claims Two Soldiers' Lives

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, Army Vehicle
A 22-year-old Specialist and 23-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Wainwright, Alaska, died in a government motor vehicle (GMV) mishap 2 October 2023 on the installation at 1100 local. During a unit movement from the battalion area to the Yukon Training Area (YTA) to conduct a Platoon Live Fire Exercise, the driver lost control of the MTV on an improved tank trail in YTA and rolled over. As a result, two Soldiers sustained fatal injuries and 10 other Soldiers sustained non-fatal injuries. A Safety Investigation Board led by members of the U.S. Army Combat Readiness Center is leading the investigation into the mishap.

Since 2019, the Army has lost an average of eight Soldiers a year to GMV mishaps. This mishap was the first and second GMV fatalities of FY24 and above the number of fatalities for the same period last year.

 

 

PLR 23-112 - Off-Duty Sports, Recreation and Physical Training Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, Sports & Recreation
A 59-year-old Major General assigned to Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, died in an off-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishap 25 July 2023 in Havre de Grace, Maryland, at 1920 local. The Soldier was reportedly involved in a privately owned, single-engine plane crash.

Since 2018, the Army has lost an average of 11 Soldiers a year to off-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishaps. This was the ninth off-duty sports, recreation and physical training mishap of FY23 and above the number of off-duty sports, recreation and physical training fatalities from this time last year.

 

 

PLR 23-111 - PMV-4 Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

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

A 29-year-old Active Guard Reserve Staff Sergeant assigned to the Army National Guard, Minden, Louisiana, died in a PMV-4 mishap 2 September 2023 in Monroe, Louisiana, at 0130 local. The Soldier was reportedly traveling in the wrong direction on an off ramp and struck an 18-wheeler. The Monroe Police Department (MPD) responded and pronounced the Soldier dead at the scene. The specific circumstances of the mishap, including the use of a seat belt, speed or the involvement of alcohol, are currently unknown. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for MPD to release its final report.

Since FY18, the Army has lost an average of 35 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the 37th PMV-4 fatality of FY23 and above the number of fatalities for the same time last year.

Safety tip

Wrong-Way Driving: What You Need to Know

Whether driving on the interstate, local or state roads, all drivers must do the following if they approach a WRONG WAY sign to help prevent a crash:

  • Stop immediately.
  • Pull over to the side of the road.
  • Turn around when it is safe to do so.

If a driver encounters a wrong-way driver or sees an alert displayed on an electronic message board, they should take the following actions:

  • Use caution.
  • Reduce your speed.
  • Pull over.
  • Call 911 to report.

Review the information below to understand what each sign and marking means and how to respond as a driver.

Fatal wrong-way driving crashes on our nation’s highways are a persistent and devastating threat that is only getting worse. According to the latest data analysis from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, there were 2,008 deaths from wrong-way driving crashes on divided highways between 2015 and 2018, an average of approximately 500 deaths a year. That is up 34 percent from the 375 deaths annually from 2010 to 2014. Researchers found that the odds of being a wrong-way driver increased with alcohol impairment, older age and driving without a passenger.

AAA works with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and other traffic safety organizations to educate drivers on the deadly impact of wrong-way driving. In light of these latest research findings, AAA and the NTSB are urging state transportation agencies to adopt driver-based countermeasures that address these factors, such as alcohol ignition interlocks, strengthened deterrence strategies like sobriety checkpoints, driver refresher courses for older adults and the installation of more visible signs and signals.

Six in ten wrong-way crashes involved an alcohol-impaired driver. Those with blood alcohol concentrations over the legal limit of 0.08 percent were significantly more likely to be wrong-way drivers than non-alcohol-impaired drivers involved in the same crashes.

Tips provided by Florida DOT and NTSB  

 

 

PLR 23-110 - PMV-2 Mishap Claims One Soldier's Life

Posting Date:   /   Categories: Preliminary Loss Reports, PMV-2
A 28-year-old Staff Sergeant assigned to Fort Drum, New York, died in a PMV-2 mishap 22 September 2023 in Pamelia, New York, at 2050 local. The Soldier was riding at a high rate of speed when he lost control, exited the roadway and struck a road sign. He was ejected from his bike and came to rest in a field adjacent to the highway. A bystander notified 911. The New York State Police (NYSP) responded, and life-saving measures were administered but unsuccessful. The Soldier reportedly was wearing the required personal protective equipment and completed the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s Basic RiderCourse in October 2018. The involvement of alcohol is currently unknown. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for NYSP to release its final report.

Since FY18, the Army has lost an average of 24 Soldiers a year to PMV-2 mishaps. This mishap was the 37th PMV-2 fatality of FY23 and above the number of fatalities for the same time period last year.

Safety tip

Crash Characteristics
Information about the environment surrounding the motorcyclist fatalities in 2021 included land use, motorcyclist location, light condition, weather and functional system. In 2021 (based on known values):
 
  • 67 percent of the motorcycle fatalities occurred in urban areas compared to 33 percent in rural areas.

  • 65 percent occurred at locations that were not intersections compared to 35 percent at intersections.

  • 97 percent occurred in clear/cloudy conditions compared to 2 percent in rain conditions and 1 percent in snow/sleet, fog or other conditions.

  • 57 percent occurred during daylight compared to 39 percent in the dark, 4 percent during dusk and 1 percent during dawn.

  • 92 percent occurred on non-interstate roads compared to 8 percent on interstates.

    NHTSA Key Findings
     
  • In 2021 there were 5,932 motorcyclists killed, 14 percent of all traffic fatalities. This is the highest number of motorcyclists killed since FARS started data collection in 1975.

  • The number of motorcyclist fatalities in 2021 increased by 8 percent from 2020.

  • 36 percent of motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes in 2021 were riding without valid motorcycle licenses.

  • Motorcycle riders killed in traffic crashes at night were three times more frequently found to be alcohol-impaired than those killed during the day (42% and 16%) in 2021.

  • 33 percent of all motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes in 2021 were speeding, compared to 22 percent for passenger car drivers, 15 percent for light-truck drivers, and 7 percent for large-truck drivers.

  • Motorcycles were more frequently involved in fatal collisions with fixed objects than other vehicle types. Twenty-four percent of motorcycles involved in fatal crashes in 2021 collided with fixed objects, compared to 17 percent for passenger cars, 12 percent for light trucks and 4 percent for large trucks.

    Tips provide by NHTSA

    2021 Data: Motorcycles (dot.gov)
     

 

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