thedrifter
06-08-06, 07:24 AM
Raising road awareness
With fatality rates up nationwide, Beaufort Marines increase safety regulations for motorcyclists
Published Thursday June 8 2006
By LORI YOUNT
The Beaufort Gazette
As many young Marines have, Sgt. Nicholas Akinkuoye Jr. "got bit by the bug" -- the bike bug -- by watching "packs" of young men riding around town and the base. He had to use a trailer to take his sports model motorcycle to a certification class at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort because he bought it only a couple of days ago from a buddy and had no clue how to ride it.
"It seems the younger generation is into sports bikes for the speed, the looks," said Akinkuoye, who is stationed at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. "It's great to get together with all your friends."
The influx of Marines on motorcycles is a nationwide trend.
"There are a lot of Marines coming back from overseas with money coming back with motorcycles," said Ronald Lanoie, ground safety manager at MCAS.
However, the trend has also proved deadly. According to safety reports, more troops have died in off-duty motorcycle accidents than in Afghanistan since Sept. 11, 2001.
The phenomenon has hit the Marine Corps especially hard. In October alone, four Marines were killed in motorcycle accidents.
"It came to a head about a year ago when the stats went higher than normal," Lanoie said.
No Marine motorcycle fatalities have been reported in Beaufort within the past five years, and Lanoie said there have been only two minor bike accidents since October.
"We've been fortunate in the Beaufort area," he said. "Whether by intrusive leadership or pure luck, we haven't lost anybody."
With such heavy losses nationwide, though, the Corps has placed more stringent requirements on Marines riding motorcycles, guidelines that directly affect riders in Beaufort.
To ride a motorcycle on or off base, Marines or sailors must be certified in a two-day Motorcycle Safety Foundation course, which is offered free for personnel at all three bases.
Some form of the class has been a requirement since 1980, but Lanoie said only recently have they stopped handing out 30-day temporary certifications, which some Marines renewed for months before taking the course.
The number of those certified has dramatically increased the past few fiscal years, which run from October to October, Lanoie said. In 2004, 122 people received certification, 133 received certification in 2005 and since October of this fiscal year, 181 have been certified.
"We're trying to instill an awareness," Lanoie said. "This is another tool. They're learning the hazards of what's out there."
In the past two months, nine new coaches have been trained for the certification course, which is one day of classroom instruction and one day out on the course teaching and testing basic riding skills, Lanoie said. This brings the total to 13 coaches.
There's a basic and experienced course, and Lanoie said many in the basic course, like Akinkuoye have never ridden a bike before.
"It's a 360-degree turnaround," motorcycle instructor Sgt. John Campbell said. "All it does is build their confidence."
Since April, safety gear has also been more strictly regulated. In addition to wearing a helmet, those riding motorcycles on base and Marines off base must also wear full-face shield or goggles while riding.
Also, a rider must wear a reflective vest, long-legged trousers, full-fingered gloves, long sleeves and a long-sleeved leather jacket has been approved to wear over uniforms.
For almost two months, Marines certified to ride motorcycles are required to join a riding club. There are four at the air station so far.
"We actually do rides to raise awareness," said Sgt. Randall Workman, a motorcycle instructor, adding it gives riders of all levels to practice together.
The bases are enforcing these rules mostly through self-policing and calls from local residents, Lanoie said.
"It's not really a policing project," he said. "We try to change their mind-set."
Since the new regulations, people have become more aware of what a Marine biker should and shouldn't be doing, and he's received more phone calls to complain in the past few months.
Plus, Lanoie said Marines with a hefty amount of traffic violations are starting to be listed on blotters given to their commanders every day so they are aware of the problem. Marines can receive punishment for violation of a direct order if caught not in line with the safety regulations, he said.
With a new awareness of motorcycle safety, Marines have a responsibility to report those who aren't following the rules, motorcycle instructor Capt. Joshua Culp said.
"We don't want to tarnish our reputation," he said. "Whether on base or out on the town, we shouldn't turn a blind eye."
With fatality rates up nationwide, Beaufort Marines increase safety regulations for motorcyclists
Published Thursday June 8 2006
By LORI YOUNT
The Beaufort Gazette
As many young Marines have, Sgt. Nicholas Akinkuoye Jr. "got bit by the bug" -- the bike bug -- by watching "packs" of young men riding around town and the base. He had to use a trailer to take his sports model motorcycle to a certification class at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort because he bought it only a couple of days ago from a buddy and had no clue how to ride it.
"It seems the younger generation is into sports bikes for the speed, the looks," said Akinkuoye, who is stationed at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. "It's great to get together with all your friends."
The influx of Marines on motorcycles is a nationwide trend.
"There are a lot of Marines coming back from overseas with money coming back with motorcycles," said Ronald Lanoie, ground safety manager at MCAS.
However, the trend has also proved deadly. According to safety reports, more troops have died in off-duty motorcycle accidents than in Afghanistan since Sept. 11, 2001.
The phenomenon has hit the Marine Corps especially hard. In October alone, four Marines were killed in motorcycle accidents.
"It came to a head about a year ago when the stats went higher than normal," Lanoie said.
No Marine motorcycle fatalities have been reported in Beaufort within the past five years, and Lanoie said there have been only two minor bike accidents since October.
"We've been fortunate in the Beaufort area," he said. "Whether by intrusive leadership or pure luck, we haven't lost anybody."
With such heavy losses nationwide, though, the Corps has placed more stringent requirements on Marines riding motorcycles, guidelines that directly affect riders in Beaufort.
To ride a motorcycle on or off base, Marines or sailors must be certified in a two-day Motorcycle Safety Foundation course, which is offered free for personnel at all three bases.
Some form of the class has been a requirement since 1980, but Lanoie said only recently have they stopped handing out 30-day temporary certifications, which some Marines renewed for months before taking the course.
The number of those certified has dramatically increased the past few fiscal years, which run from October to October, Lanoie said. In 2004, 122 people received certification, 133 received certification in 2005 and since October of this fiscal year, 181 have been certified.
"We're trying to instill an awareness," Lanoie said. "This is another tool. They're learning the hazards of what's out there."
In the past two months, nine new coaches have been trained for the certification course, which is one day of classroom instruction and one day out on the course teaching and testing basic riding skills, Lanoie said. This brings the total to 13 coaches.
There's a basic and experienced course, and Lanoie said many in the basic course, like Akinkuoye have never ridden a bike before.
"It's a 360-degree turnaround," motorcycle instructor Sgt. John Campbell said. "All it does is build their confidence."
Since April, safety gear has also been more strictly regulated. In addition to wearing a helmet, those riding motorcycles on base and Marines off base must also wear full-face shield or goggles while riding.
Also, a rider must wear a reflective vest, long-legged trousers, full-fingered gloves, long sleeves and a long-sleeved leather jacket has been approved to wear over uniforms.
For almost two months, Marines certified to ride motorcycles are required to join a riding club. There are four at the air station so far.
"We actually do rides to raise awareness," said Sgt. Randall Workman, a motorcycle instructor, adding it gives riders of all levels to practice together.
The bases are enforcing these rules mostly through self-policing and calls from local residents, Lanoie said.
"It's not really a policing project," he said. "We try to change their mind-set."
Since the new regulations, people have become more aware of what a Marine biker should and shouldn't be doing, and he's received more phone calls to complain in the past few months.
Plus, Lanoie said Marines with a hefty amount of traffic violations are starting to be listed on blotters given to their commanders every day so they are aware of the problem. Marines can receive punishment for violation of a direct order if caught not in line with the safety regulations, he said.
With a new awareness of motorcycle safety, Marines have a responsibility to report those who aren't following the rules, motorcycle instructor Capt. Joshua Culp said.
"We don't want to tarnish our reputation," he said. "Whether on base or out on the town, we shouldn't turn a blind eye."