Bikers: Take training ... or else

[CommunityEditor]

NORFOLK, Va. — Blowing off safety training can land motorcycle-borne sailors and Marines in serious trouble, from administrative action to separation.

The crackdown on motorcycle safety comes as the fleet’s motorcycle fatalities for the current fiscal year, 21, already have exceeded last year’s total by three.

Recent updates to the Navy Traffic Safety Program emphasize fleet leaders’ concern over accidents on the road. Under the program, the Navy requires increased safety training and will hold commands responsible for ensuring its sailors know how to stay accident-free.

In particular, all sailors who own a so-called “sport bike” must take a safety course in addition to the Basic Rider Course already required for a base vehicle decal.

Those who are caught riding on or off base without completing the courses are subject to punishment.

“It’s like any other standards violation; they’re subject to disciplinary action,” said Rear Adm. Arthur Johnson Jr., commander of the Naval Safety Center. “Some people incorrectly assume that if they didn’t ride on base, they didn’t have to take the course.”

A July 3 message released by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead stressed the responsibility of commands to educate sailors.

“I expect leaders at all levels to thoroughly review [the revised program] and ensure our sailors know and follow its provisions,” the message states.

Completion of the safety courses will be noted in a sailor’s service record, and beginning next year, riders will be subject to a refresher course every three years.

Failure to comply could subject a sailor or Marine to the gamut of administrative action and punitive measures authorized under the Uniform Code of Military Justice for regulation violations. As with any disciplinary action, punishment is up to the discretion of a commanding officer and can include an administrative separation.

Johnson said the courses are provided through a contractor under the auspices of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. Beginning in October, training bikes will be available for sailors who have not yet bought a motorcycle.

He said the stiffened measures originate in the secretary of the Navy’s office and also affect Marines. Civilian Navy Department personnel who ride sport bikes also must take the extra course to be allowed to ride on base.

The high level of concern comes as the Navy and Corps have seen more motorcycle deaths in the first 9½ months of fiscal 2008 than in all of fiscal 2007. Since October, there have been 39 fatal motorcycle accidents, with 21 sailors and 18 Marines killed. In all of last year, motorcycle accidents killed 18 sailors and 19 Marines.

Johnson said that for commanders, personal vehicle safety becomes a readiness issue when a unit member dies on the road, has an accident or faces some other traffic issue prevents them from reporting for duty. “It’s a significant challenge and a ‘mission degrader,’ if you will,” he said.

The CNO message notes that personal protective equipment, such as helmets, is required even if “the state you are riding through does not [require it].”

Any sailor who buys a bike must tell his command so time can be set aside for the safety courses, if the sailor has not already completed them. Johnson said the Navy and Marine Corps want to get 12,500 sport bike riders through the daylong course by Oct. 1. The courses are free, and sailors are to be able to complete them without taking leave or using a weekend.

Johnson said car mishap rates are “not significant” and not the focus of the new crackdown, although the message says: “For Navy leadership at all levels, [the revisions give] you the ability to enforce compliance. It calls for identifying your high-risk drivers.”

To keep the enforcement pressure on commands, a safety compliance check will be made part of annual Inspector General unit reviews.

“It’s not a short-term endeavor,” Johnson said.


Article: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/0...afety_071408w/

[Okie]

It seems like a no-brainer to me. If they are offering free safety classes, take 'em. However, I'd like to make two points. 1) The article neglected to mention how many of the people involved in the accidents did not already have training. The way the article reads, the assumption is that none of them did. 2) As gas prices climb, you're going to see more and more troops riding to work. Therefore, it would stand to reason that the absolute number of fatalities would climb. It makes more sense to track accidents and fatalities as a percentage of the rider population.

The whole idea is bunk-iss. There's 380k of us and 20 poor kids died in MC accidents and therefore we have to throw millions of dollars at this program? How about every time there's a fatality we get a post-incident brief. A nice graphic PPT that we have to talk about in a group. What went wrong, etc, etc. We can take it, we face worse on a daily basis in the real world.
I've stopped riding because of this grand new scheme. It's your life, people, mitigate risk or suffer the consequences. Oh and BTW you're going to mast once the cast is set. Just what we need, some good old fashioned hands-on training. I notice they get tight-lipped about the statistic of consequence. How many were untrained, or failed to use safety gear... right, I thought so.

[Proud Mom]

Hi there,

As a wife, Mother and Grandmother I'd like to say something if you all will bear with me. Here in MD you have to take a Safety Class anway to get your bike license. If the Marine Corp requires a safety course then for all of us out here who watch you ride off to work or on an event ...take the course.

I saw an accident in Phoenix Arizona involving a bike and a car. The young man in question was alive but his face was ripped to shreds as were other parts of his anatomy. And sometimes safety classes can remind even an experienced rider of a basic thing they might have forgotten.

But for those of us out there who care. ALWAYS WATCH OUT FOR THE OTHER GUY

The Biker

I saw you hug your purse close to you in the grocery store line.
But you didn’t see me put an extra $10.00 in the collection plate last Sunday.

I saw you pull your child closer when we passed each other on the sidewalk.
But you didn’t see me playing Santa at the local mall.

I saw you change your mind about going into the restaurant.
But you didn’t see me attending a meeting to raise more money for hurricane relief.

I saw you roll up your window and shake your head when I rode by.
But you didn’t see me riding behind you when you flicked your cigarette butt out the car window.

I saw you frown at me when I smiled at your children.
But you didn’t see me when I took time off work to run toys to the homeless.

I saw you stare at my long hair.
But you didn’t see me cut ten inches off for Locks of Love.

I saw you roll your eyes at our leather jackets and gloves.
But you didn’t see my brothers and me donate to those who had none.

I saw you look in fright at my tattoos.
But you didn’t see me cry as my children were born and have their names written over my heart.

I saw you change lanes while rushing off to go somewhere.
But you didn’t see me going home to be with my family.

I saw you complain about how loud and noisy our bikes can be.
But you didn’t see me when you were changing the CD and drifted into my lane.

I saw you yelling at your kids in the car.
But you did not see me pat my child’s hand, knowing he was safe behind me.

I saw you reading the map as you drove down the road.
But you didn’t see me squeeze my wife’s leg when she told me to make the right turn.

I saw you race down the road in the rain.
But you didn’t see me, so my son could have the car to go on his date.

I saw you cut me off because you needed to be in the lane I was in.
But you didn’t see me leave the road.

I saw you impatiently waiting for my friends to pass.
But you didn’t see me. I wasn’t there.

I saw you go home to your family.
But you didn’t see me, because I died that day you cut me off.

I was just a biker. A person with friends and family. But you didn’t see me.

[SSgtAllen3381]

Originally Posted by Proud Mom

Hi there,

As a wife, Mother and Grandmother I'd like to say something if you all will bear with me. Here in MD you have to take a Safety Class anway to get your bike license. If the Marine Corp requires a safety course then for all of us out here who watch you ride off to work or on an event ...take the course.

I saw an accident in Phoenix Arizona involving a bike and a car. The young man in question was alive but his face was ripped to shreds as were other parts of his anatomy. And sometimes safety classes can remind even an experienced rider of a basic thing they might have forgotten.

But for those of us out there who care. ALWAYS WATCH OUT FOR THE OTHER GUY

The Biker

I saw you hug your purse close to you in the grocery store line.
But you didn’t see me put an extra $10.00 in the collection plate last Sunday.

I saw you pull your child closer when we passed each other on the sidewalk.
But you didn’t see me playing Santa at the local mall.

I saw you change your mind about going into the restaurant.
But you didn’t see me attending a meeting to raise more money for hurricane relief.

I saw you roll up your window and shake your head when I rode by.
But you didn’t see me riding behind you when you flicked your cigarette butt out the car window.

I saw you frown at me when I smiled at your children.
But you didn’t see me when I took time off work to run toys to the homeless.

I saw you stare at my long hair.
But you didn’t see me cut ten inches off for Locks of Love.

I saw you roll your eyes at our leather jackets and gloves.
But you didn’t see my brothers and me donate to those who had none.

I saw you look in fright at my tattoos.
But you didn’t see me cry as my children were born and have their names written over my heart.

I saw you change lanes while rushing off to go somewhere.
But you didn’t see me going home to be with my family.

I saw you complain about how loud and noisy our bikes can be.
But you didn’t see me when you were changing the CD and drifted into my lane.

I saw you yelling at your kids in the car.
But you did not see me pat my child’s hand, knowing he was safe behind me.

I saw you reading the map as you drove down the road.
But you didn’t see me squeeze my wife’s leg when she told me to make the right turn.

I saw you race down the road in the rain.
But you didn’t see me, so my son could have the car to go on his date.

I saw you cut me off because you needed to be in the lane I was in.
But you didn’t see me leave the road.

I saw you impatiently waiting for my friends to pass.
But you didn’t see me. I wasn’t there.

I saw you go home to your family.
But you didn’t see me, because I died that day you cut me off.

I was just a biker. A person with friends and family. But you didn’t see me.

THAT certainly left me with goosebumps.

Far too many cars/trucks on the road to worry about a little ole motorcycle. Not once have I read an article where it mentions the car/truck/semi that ran this motorcyclist off the road..OR OVER.

We are required (and paid) to wear this reflective clothing..for what? You automobile drivers still pull out in front of us, pull into my lane, pull into my lane and slam on your brakes so you can pull into Taco Bell. You speed passed me, give no signal when you pull over in front of me and then give ME A DIRTY LOOK.

Stop making it seem that all motorcycle deaths and accidents are due to unexperienced riders or the not wearing of PPE. I'm wearing all this stuff because I'm told to (paid too) and it didn't help when I was ran off the road and hit a tree.

Signed,
ANY BIKER or MOTORCYCLIST

[GUNNERCARVO]

Originally Posted by SSgtAllen3381

THAT certainly left me with goosebumps.

Far too many cars/trucks on the road to worry about a little ole motorcycle. Not once have I read an article where it mentions the car/truck/semi that ran this motorcyclist off the road..OR OVER.

We are required (and paid) to wear this reflective clothing..for what? You automobile drivers still pull out in front of us, pull into my lane, pull into my lane and slam on your brakes so you can pull into Taco Bell. You speed passed me, give no signal when you pull over in front of me and then give ME A DIRTY LOOK.

Stop making it seem that all motorcycle deaths and accidents are due to inexperienced riders or the not wearing of PPE. I'm wearing all this stuff because I'm told to (paid too) and it didn't help when I was ran off the road and hit a tree.

Signed,
ANY BIKER or MOTORCYCLIST

I wear all my gear, and I still experience all the things you listed. Drivers in San Diego seem to have tunnel-vision. I put an LED light kit on my bike for riding at night that illuminates most of my bike so that drivers can better see me from the side. It seems to work pretty well.

I hold the collateral duty for traffic & motorcycle safety on my ship. As part of indoctrination I put out the training that I'm instructed to as well as some real world experience of my own. Going from my apartment to my favorite bike shop is a 4 mile trip. Almost every time, someone merges into my lane without looking. I make sure to put it out to EVERYONE that there are A LOT of bikes here. I usually start my spiel with, "I don't care if you ride or not, PAY ATTENTION! The biker that you DON'T run over because of what I tell you could be ME!"

[kojack]

I dont want any SM hurt on motorcycle or bicycle but for the Navy to say the extremely small percentage of riders hut is a unit readiness issue when pregnancies impact a units readiness far more is a joke.

I think DOD offering the training is great. A good safety course out here in private sector land runs about $200.00.

[SSgt Bowser]

The problems with motorcycle safety is going to be a never ending battle. Why I say that is this, you have Marines that live out in town. They buy their bikes and never bring them on base. There fore they dont get them registered on base and won't take the classes. Then there are the Marines that live in the barracks that keep them at a friends house, put them in storeage, or they do the easy thimg and part them out the main gate at the local bike shop, Britts motorshop that is right outdside the gate of Camp Lejuene. These Marines won't tell their command and won't take the classes either. The motor cycle shops are not doing anything wrong by letting Marines store their bikes at their shop. I don't understand why they won't take the classes do to the fact you can take the card to your insurance company and get your monthly insurance payments lowered.

[SSgtAllen3381]

Originally Posted by SSgt Bowser

The problems with motorcycle safety is going to be a never ending battle. Why I say that is this, you have Marines that live out in town. They buy their bikes and never bring them on base. There fore they dont get them registered on base and won't take the classes. Then there are the Marines that live in the barracks that keep them at a friends house, put them in storeage, or they do the easy thimg and part them out the main gate at the local bike shop, Britts motorshop that is right outdside the gate of Camp Lejuene. These Marines won't tell their command and won't take the classes either. The motor cycle shops are not doing anything wrong by letting Marines store their bikes at their shop. I don't understand why they won't take the classes do to the fact you can take the card to your insurance company and get your monthly insurance payments lowered.

Good points you made.

You can lead a horse to the trough, but you can't make him drink the water.

It's free and it may save the biker's life or someone else's. But for a considerable portion of young riders out there, it probably won't. They think they are invincible as they ride crotch rockets that are too powerful for their skills. I have had a general philosophy for several years that just last month I had a chance to share with a young airman. I was headed to work when I saw the bike flying up behind me. I was in the left lane just about to pass another car. This bike came up on my bumper, weaved over to the right lane and passed, then squeezed between my right front bumper and the left rear of the other car as he jumped back into the left lane. A short while later I came up behind the bike entering the base gate and I followed him to his parking lot. When I pulled behind him as he dismounted, he got real nervous, especially when he saw my rank. I asked his name and organization and then calmly related the above. I didn't waste my time explaining the dangers to him but explained that his first sergeant probably would after I made a phone call. I then went on to let him know that he should not be expecting other people to adjust their driving on his account. I told him that many people probably feel as I do and have a healthy, but limited respect for human life. If you do something stupid and dangerous to yourself, me, or my loved ones, I don't really care if you get hurt or die. I told him that if he had caught my bumper and went down, I would not have endangered my life for his but would have treated him the same as if a deer had run out in front me. I would have tried to avoid him as long I could maintain control without endangering myself or any other vehicle on the road. If that meant driving straight over him on the road, so be it. I then told him that after I stopped, just as with a dying deer in the road, my immediate concern would have been the damage to my car, not to his poor soul laying on the ground. This young airman's eyes grew wide as I told him this and he stammered out an apology which I accepted and just advised him to change his attitude when riding. I did call his first shirt and the next day got a call back about their meeting. The first shirt apparently ripped the kid a new one, but then attempted to rip me one for my callous statements about human life. After a few words I can tell you that first shirt will never challenge me again.