A 22-year-old Specialist assigned to Grafenwoehr, Germany, died in a PMV-2 mishap 11 September 2022 in the Czech Republic near Ortschaft Horovice at 1255 local. The Police of the Czech Republic (PCR) reported that the Soldier was traveling at a high rate of speed and lost control. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The unit reported the Soldier as Absent Unknown on 13 September at 1130 hours and was notified of the mishap at 1457 hours. The Soldier was not properly licensed, had not completed the required Motorcycle Safety Foundation training, was not on an approved pass, and did not possess a passport. Additionally, the Soldier was given a written order not to operate his motorcycle. The involvement of alcohol or drugs and the Soldier’s use of personal protective is currently unknown. The safety/unit points of contact are waiting for the PCR to release its final report.
Since 2017, the Army has lost an average of 25 Soldiers a year to off-duty PMV-2 mishaps. This mishap was the 24th off-duty PMV-2 fatality of FY22.
Speeding increases the risk of getting into traffic crashes that can severely injure or kill other motorists. Speeding also affects the ability to react in time to avoid having an accident. If they drive too fast, they might not be able to slow down or stop in time to prevent a deadly crash.
This can especially be the case for motorcyclists who have little to protect them from their external environment compared to drivers of enclosed motor vehicles.
Why Drivers Speed
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 9,000 people were killed due to a driver speeding in 2018.
Several factors contribute to the increase in drivers speeding on our roads, as noted by the NHTSA. These include:
-Traffic congestion – With traffic increasing on our roads and highways, some drivers may get frustrated and respond by speeding, passing other cars frequently and recklessly, and become enraged at whoever they believe impedes their progress.
-Running behind schedule – Some drivers speed because they are running late for work or school. They also might be late in picking up the kids or getting to an appointment.
-Ability to be anonymous – When you are driving alone in your car, you are insulated from the rest of the world. This may allow some drivers to develop a sense of detachment, which can encourage them to feel less constrained and act recklessly because no one is witnessing their dangerous behavior.
While a traffic ticket is one consequence of speeding, the act can lead to other unfavorable outcomes with far-reaching implications, including:
-Higher risk of losing control of the vehicle
-Less ability to brake or stop in time if pending danger ahead
-Increased risk of a crash resulting in injuries to one or all parties involved
-Economic impact caused by speed-related accident
All these points illustrate how speeding can affect motorcycle accidents. If the driver of the motorcycle is not able to stop in time or have enough room to stop, they can make a mistake by overcorrecting and causing a crash.
Speeding is also viewed as a form of aggressive driving, particularly when a driver:
-Fails to obey the posted speed limit
-Follows vehicles too closely
-Passes illegally or where it is prohibited
-Changes lanes erratically
-Does not use signals
-Engages in racing
Safety tips by Ben Crump Attorney, NHTSA