A Specialist assigned to Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, died in a PMV-4 mishap 7 March 2021 in San Angelo, Texas, at 1628 local. The Soldier was driving when he lost control of his vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other Soldiers riding as passengers suffered non-fatal injuries and are currently hospitalized. The specific circumstances of the mishap, including speed and use of seat belt as contributing factors, are unknown at this time. It is suspected that drugs and alcohol were not involved. The safety POC is awaiting local law enforcement to release information.
Since 2016, the Army has lost an average of 34 Soldiers a year to PMV-4 mishaps. This mishap was the 17th PMV-4 fatality of FY21 and above the number of fatalities for the same time period last year.
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.
How to be a better passenger
-Share the responsibilities
Making yourself useful – whether you offer to operate the GPS system or act as another set of eyes for the driver – can help avoid any accidents that would have happened due to distraction or driver fatigue. Keeping watch for any diversions and reading road signs will also help the driver to focus on the task at hand.
-Banish backseat driving
Keeping a watchful eye for things the driver might miss is helpful; criticizing every move the driver makes could be harmful. If the driver gets frustrated or annoyed, the likelihood is they’ll pay less attention to the road, which could lead to an easily avoidable accident.
-Seat belts
Drilled into us since childhood, this one should be obvious but is worth repeating: wear your seat belt. It's the driver's legal responsibility to ensure passengers are properly belted; but if the driver doesn’t, you as a passenger can ensure everyone is wearing their seat belt.