A Specialist assigned to Fort Carson, Colorado, died in a PMV-4 mishap 23 December 2020 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at 1752 local. The Soldier was allegedly driving on the highway at a high rate of speed when another motorist merged into his lane, striking his vehicle. The Soldier’s vehicle flipped and hit a pole. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The Soldier was wearing a seat belt, and alcohol use is not suspected. The mishap is under investigation by the Colorado Springs Police Department.
Since 2016, the Army has lost an average of 33 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap is the 12th PMV-4 fatality of FY21.
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.
- For more than two decades, speeding has been involved in approximately one-third of all motor vehicle fatalities. In 2017, speeding was a contributing factor in 26% of all traffic fatalities.