Safety corner: motorcycle safety tips

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La., March 30, 2011 — Motorcycle Riders of the Might Deuce, Eighth Air Force and Air Force Global Strike Command,

As some of you may know, April and May are notoriously the most deadly months for Air Force Motorcycle Riders. Since October 2001, 51 Airmen have lost their lives to motorcycle mishaps. Of these tragic loses, 28 lives were lost in April and 23 were lost in May. Barksdale is not immune to these statistics. Since October 2001, Barksdale lost two Airmen.

The first was back in September 2004. An Airman was a passenger on a 2002 650 cc motorcycle. The motorcycle struck a sport utility vehicle that pulled out in front of him from a side street after running a stop sign. From all indications, the riders were travelling at the posted speed limit of 45 mph. After the accident, the driver sustained multiple fractures and the passenger died during surgery.

Additionally, a 21-year-old Airman was lost to a motorcycle mishap in 2009. He was riding a 600 cc motorcycle home after attending an off-duty training class. The Airman was traveling southbound in the left lane of a four lane divided street. He was estimated travelling between 55 and 66 mph in a 25 mph speed-limit zone when he accelerated around a vehicle in the right lane. At the same time, another vehicle was pulling out from a stop sign and crossing the roadway. This driver was unable to get out of the path of the motorcycle. Our Airman impacted the left front corner panel of the vehicle and sustained injuries that led to his death while in route to the emergency room. He was fully trained and wearing all required personal protective equipment. The key factor in this mishap was speed. Our Airman failed to apply personal risk management principles while sharing the roadway and the outcome impacted not only his unit, but also his family and friends.

While knowing it's important and paramount to apply personal risk management in all off-duty activities, it is especially critical to apply them while riding your motorcycle. Here are a few tips for motorcyclists to help enhance safety:

- Obey the Speed Limit: Speeding is the No. 1 contributing factor in motorcycle crashes.

- Enroll in Rider Education: It's all about control. Whether you are a novice or experienced rider, the Air Force provides funding for motorcycle training courses for all rider skill levels, which can reduce injuries and save lives.

- Ride Responsibly: Personal rider safety starts with you. Before every ride, make sure your machine is in safe operating condition and always wear approved clothing and reflective safety gear including a Department of Transportation approved helmet. The bottom line is simple -- ride safely for you and your passenger's sake, as well as others on the road.

- Ride Conspicuously: Proper lane usage will reduce your chances of being in another driver's blind spot and lesson the probability of being in a crash. Be aware of your surroundings and always maintain a safety zone.

- Ride Sober: Don't ride impaired by alcohol or drugs and discourage other riders from making a bad choice. Intervene if you can, it's the right thing to do. Use the wingman concept.