Critical Days of Summer week 13: motorcycle safety

  • Published
  • By Neil Townley
  • 17th Training Wing Safety Office
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Statistics show that drivers have a higher probability of dying on a motorcycle than in a car.

Although more fatalities occur in four-wheeled privately owned vehicles, two-wheeled POV operators suffer more serious injuries, including fatal injuries. This stands to reason since there's less protection on a two-wheeled POV. So how can we prevent injuries while on a two-wheeled POV? First, let's examine why these mishaps occur.

There are two primary factors: four-wheeled POV drivers and poor decisions of two-wheeled POV riders.

First, there's the interaction between four-wheeled and the two-wheeled operators. A four-wheeled operator who has no association with motorcycling doesn't tend to notice motorcycles on the road. This usually leads them to pull in front of a rider and cause a collision. Due to this phenomenon, riders need to do everything possible to make themselves seen. High visibility upper garments, flashing lights and loud pipes can all contribute to being noticed.

Four-wheeled operators who don't notice motorcycles can train themselves to be on the lookout for them by getting involved in the motorcycle safety program through a unit motorcycle safety representative, talking to co-workers who have a motorcycle or know someone who was injured on one. When driving, they can count how many motorcyclists are on the streets and try to beat that number each time.

Second, two-wheeled operators can make poor decisions based on lack of knowledge or excessive risk taking. If a motorcycle mishap doesn't involve a four-wheeled POV, it's usually related to a rider losing control of his vehicle.

Since the beginning of 2010, eight Air Force motorcycle mishaps have been reported to the 17th Training Wing Safety Office. Of those eight, only two were the result of a four-wheeled POV pulling in front of a rider. The other six were all related to the rider making a left-hand turn and the result of individual decision making, judgment and experience, or the lack thereof. Too much throttle, slippery and loose gravel areas, deer and vehicle situational awareness were also contributing factors. Each of these mishaps have one thing in common, the riders were exceptionally lucky the outcome wasn't more severe than it was.

Motorcycle fatality investigations and minor first aid motorcycle mishaps are usually very similar. The only difference is a matter of seconds or a few feet.

Mentorship is a key factor when it comes to influencing and educating a rider. Riders with less than one year of experience, are under the age of 26 or have demonstrated poor riding skills that resulted in a mishap or maybe a traffic ticket, may be required to have a mentor. Contact a unit motorcycle safety representative or the Green Knights Military Motorcycle Club for more information on getting a mentor.

Those who have been riding for a while should think about taking a refresher safety course because they may be complacent in some areas. "Seasoned riders" who have taken the course always provide the wing safety office a lot of good feedback.

A vehicle by itself isn't inherently dangerous, but because of the people factor, bad things start to happen once we get behind the wheel. Ninety-eight percent of all mishaps are the result of the people factor. Four-wheeled operators should take a second to think about that the next time they pull into traffic. Look twice, save a life. Two-wheeled riders should also think about that the next time they are in a left-hand curve. They should also be on the lookout for loose gravel and remember not to go too fast.