A Specialist assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, died in a PMV-2 mishap 25 July 2021 in Fayetteville, North Carolina, at 0110 local. The Soldier was operating his motorcycle when he was cut off by a civilian vehicle, striking the rear of the vehicle. An onsite witness called emergency medical services and the Soldier was transported to the local medical center where he was pronounced dead by the attending physician. Initially, the driver of the civilian vehicle fled the scene; however, two days later, she turned herself in and was arrested. The Soldier completed the Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s Basic RiderCourse in May 2020 and purchased the motorcycle in early June 2021. Specific circumstances of the mishap, including speed and alcohol/drugs as contributing factors, are unknown at this time. The unit/safety points of contact are waiting for local law enforcement to release the final report.
Since 2016, the Army has lost an average of 27 Soldiers a year to off-duty PMV-2 mishaps. This mishap was the 18th off-duty PMV-2 fatality of FY21.
Motorcycle Safety Tips
Night Riding: Quite often you’ll have to ride at night. After all, it is dark 50 percent of the time. Dusk is the worst time, when people’s eyes are adjusting from daylight to headlights. Be especially careful just after sunset. The following tips might help:
•Slow down a little when riding at night, especially on any sort of winding road.
•Use your own headlights and those of other traffic to keep an eye on the road surface. At night, it is more difficult to see that patch of sand or something that falls out of a pickup truck.
•Distance between you and the vehicle in front becomes even more important at night. Give yourself room to react.
•Wear a clear face shield without scratches. A scratched shield can create light refraction that might confuse you; two headlights can look like four, and you don’t know who is coming from where.
•One of your biggest hazards at night may be another driver coming from a few hours of drinking.
•Be especially alert for drivers and vehicles doing odd things, like weaving in and out of traffic, and give them lots of room.