A 26-year-old Specialist assigned to Fort Carson, Colorado, died in an automobile mishap in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at local. The Soldier was driving his privately owned passenger vehicle when he collided with an unknown object. He was transported to Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs, where he died . Additional information is currently unavailable.
Since FY21, the Army has lost an average of 36 Soldiers a year to automobile mishaps. This mishap was the second automobile fatality of FY26 and below the number of fatalities for this same time last year.
Safety Tips
According to the National Safety Council, traffic death rates are three times greater at night than during the day. To keep you safe on the road after sundown, here are some tips for driving safely at night.
- Clean Your Windshield – A dirty windshield can cause a blinding glare when sunlight and headlights hit it just right. Dust that you might not notice during the day can build up on the inside, too, so it’s important to clean your windshield both inside and out.
- Check Your Lights – Are your headlights and taillights in good working order? Are they aimed properly? What about your turn signals? You want to see and be seen without blinding other drivers, so make sure everything is aimed and working just right. Feel free to turn on your lights an hour before sundown; they may help other drivers see you coming.
- Don’t Look into the Lights – Try not to look directly into the lights of oncoming traffic. When cars are coming at you, do your best to cast your gaze down and to the right, while focusing on the white line. This will prevent you from being temporarily blinded by their headlights.
- Increase Distance and Reduce Speed – Reducing your speed and avoiding tailgating is far more likely to get you to your destination safe and sound. Use your headlights to help you gauge your distance and stopping time. If you can’t stop within the illuminated area, you’re too close! Another way to gauge your distance is by using the three-second rule: As the vehicle in front of you passes a designated landmark along the road (a tree, a construction barrel, etc.), there should be at least a three-second gap before you reach the same area. If it takes less than three seconds to catch up, slow down!
- Don’t be Distracted – Whether you’re texting, fiddling with the radio or dining in your car, taking your attention off the road is dangerous. When you’re tired after a long day at work, your reaction time will be reduced. Taking your full attention off the road is a bad idea.
- Don’t Drink and Drive – Fatal alcohol-related accidents are four times higher at night than during the day. Don’t put yourself or others at risk by driving under the influence. Use defensive driving techniques and keep an eye out for signs of drunk driving, especially after dark.