Motorcycle deaths rise in 101 days

6/25/2003 - SAN ANTONIO  -- Motorcycle riders account for more than half of the Air Forces safety-related deaths during this years 101 Critical Days of Summer safety campaign, according to Air Force Safety Center officials at Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M.

Officials said there is an alarming trend in motorcycle accidents involving airmen, which have accounted for six of the 10 Air Force deaths so far during this years safety campaign.

Those who take unnecessary risks think they are invincible, said John Russell, chief of ground safety at the center.

Most were single-vehicle mishaps with speed and failure to maintain control (as) the key factors, Russell said.

While motorcycle fatalities are a growing concern during the first one-third of the 101 critical days, the potential for deaths involving four-wheeled vehicles and work-related mishaps should not be discounted, he said.

We want our personnel to enjoy their well-deserved recreational activities during this season. But, we don't want our folks to forget about assessing the risk in their activities. We have smart people; we want them to make smart decisions, Russell said.

People returning from deployment abroad face additional challenges, he said.

Many of our members are making plans to become reacquainted with their family and friends. The last time we experienced a 101 critical days period directly following combat operations was in 1991. That summer we lost 42 Air Force warriors in needless mishaps, twice the average of summer mishaps for the preceding five years, he said.

There are things people can do to avoid becoming accident victims during the remaining safety campaign, Russell said.

Always assess the risk, he said. If you have uneasiness in performing a task or being a participant in an activity, evaluate it. There are risks associated with everything we do; positive results are achieved when we look at all risk factors and make smart decisions. This includes the Air Force mandatory motorcycle safety-training course, and wearing your seat belt while operating a motor vehicle.

Safety is an attitude that must be considered 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Being responsible for our actions by making sound decisions is key to mishap prevention, Russell said. Every member of the Air Force is vital to our nation's defense, and we must take the steps necessary to protect them from harm.