thedrifter
08-26-08, 07:42 AM
MILITARY: Census ordered as Marine motorcycle fatalities soar
By MARK WALKER - Staff Writer
CAMP PENDLETON ---- Facing a record number of motorcycle fatalities this year, the Marine Corps has ordered every base to conduct a count of how many riders it has.
Base commanders were instructed to have that information by Friday.
The order by Gen. James Amos, the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, came after the service recorded its 24th motorcycle fatality nationwide since Oct. 1 of last year, up from the previous record of 19 reported between Oct. 1, 2006, and Sept. 30, 2007.
"We have lost more Marines as a result of motorcycle accidents this year than we ever have before," Amos wrote in his Aug. 19 order regarding the ridership census. "We can and will improve our ability to prevent future unnecessary losses of sailors and Marines."
The most recent local Marine fatality came Aug. 16, after Lance Cpl. Christopher Carrasquillo from Miramar Marine Corps Air Station lost control of his motorcycle while attempting to pass a vehicle on State Route 76.
Carrasquillo left the road, struck a tree and was thrown from his motorcycle, according to the California Highway Patrol.
As part of the effort to focus on safety, Camp Pendleton officials on Monday announced the base's first "Motorcycle Fest," scheduled for Thursday.
"In light of the increasing number of motorcycle accidents ... Camp Pendleton commanders decide to provide their riders with a day of fun at an event designed to encourage safe riding," the announcement said.
Efforts to determine the approximate number of motorcycle riders at the base and the number involved in accidents over the last two years were not immediately successful.
Thursday's event will include breakfast and a barbecue lunch, along with mandatory safety presentations, a stunt rider exhibition and a poker run, during which riders go to designated sites to collect cards, with the highest hand declared the winner.
In his census directive, Amos said the service is working to make additional motorcycle riding courses available."
Marines and sailors are already required to report motorcycle ownership to base officials and are required to wear a safety vest with reflective material while on base to enhance their visibility to other motorists.
The 24th Marine Corps motorcycle fatality since Oct. 1 came over the weekend. Zachary Stein, 19, died after his motorcycle struck a car, according a report in Monday's online edition of the Marine Corps Times newspaper.
Stein, whose rank was not given, was stationed at North Carolina's Camp Lejeune.
Contact staff writer Mark Walker at (760) 740-3529 or mlwalker@nctimes.com.
Ellie
By MARK WALKER - Staff Writer
CAMP PENDLETON ---- Facing a record number of motorcycle fatalities this year, the Marine Corps has ordered every base to conduct a count of how many riders it has.
Base commanders were instructed to have that information by Friday.
The order by Gen. James Amos, the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps, came after the service recorded its 24th motorcycle fatality nationwide since Oct. 1 of last year, up from the previous record of 19 reported between Oct. 1, 2006, and Sept. 30, 2007.
"We have lost more Marines as a result of motorcycle accidents this year than we ever have before," Amos wrote in his Aug. 19 order regarding the ridership census. "We can and will improve our ability to prevent future unnecessary losses of sailors and Marines."
The most recent local Marine fatality came Aug. 16, after Lance Cpl. Christopher Carrasquillo from Miramar Marine Corps Air Station lost control of his motorcycle while attempting to pass a vehicle on State Route 76.
Carrasquillo left the road, struck a tree and was thrown from his motorcycle, according to the California Highway Patrol.
As part of the effort to focus on safety, Camp Pendleton officials on Monday announced the base's first "Motorcycle Fest," scheduled for Thursday.
"In light of the increasing number of motorcycle accidents ... Camp Pendleton commanders decide to provide their riders with a day of fun at an event designed to encourage safe riding," the announcement said.
Efforts to determine the approximate number of motorcycle riders at the base and the number involved in accidents over the last two years were not immediately successful.
Thursday's event will include breakfast and a barbecue lunch, along with mandatory safety presentations, a stunt rider exhibition and a poker run, during which riders go to designated sites to collect cards, with the highest hand declared the winner.
In his census directive, Amos said the service is working to make additional motorcycle riding courses available."
Marines and sailors are already required to report motorcycle ownership to base officials and are required to wear a safety vest with reflective material while on base to enhance their visibility to other motorists.
The 24th Marine Corps motorcycle fatality since Oct. 1 came over the weekend. Zachary Stein, 19, died after his motorcycle struck a car, according a report in Monday's online edition of the Marine Corps Times newspaper.
Stein, whose rank was not given, was stationed at North Carolina's Camp Lejeune.
Contact staff writer Mark Walker at (760) 740-3529 or mlwalker@nctimes.com.
Ellie