thedrifter
08-29-08, 05:42 AM
Marines order a safety stand-down for motorcycle, vehicle safety
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August 29, 2008 - 12:57AM
JENNIFER HLAD
DAILY NEWS STAFF
With the Labor Day holiday weekend eminent, Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Conway has called for a safety stand-down in an effort to reduce traffic fatalities.
All units are required to conduct safety briefs, a discussion of the Marine Corps vehicle policy and inspect all vehicles and motorcycles. Commanders also are required to focus specifically on motorcycle safety.
Throughout the Marine Corps, more Marines have died in motorcycle and vehicle crashes since October than in Iraq and Afghanistan during that time period. Eight II Marine Expeditionary Force Marines have died in motorcycle crashes so far this year.
And the problem is not "confined to our junior Marines," Conway wrote in a letter to all commanders. Nearly half of the motorcycle deaths involved Marines who are sergeants or senior, he said.
"We have driven our combat casualties down, yet we continue to have Marines and sailors die on our nation's highways in record numbers," Conway wrote. "This senseless loss of life is devastating to our families and reduces our combat readiness."
The stand-down is a chance to pause and review safety requirements and measures. It's also a way to "get the message out to the Marines that it's very important that they use good, sound judgment when they're off base and off duty," said Stanley Dutko Jr., regional and installation safety manager for Marine Corps Installations East and Camp Lejeune.
Marines already are required to take a safety course if they own a motorcycle. Thursday, a group of Marines and sailors navigated an obstacle course at Camp Johnson as part of the basic rider course offered through Camp Lejeune in partnership with Coastal Carolina Community College.
The course teaches Marines and sailors basic motorcycle handling techniques - such as braking, steering, curve negotiation and clutch manipulation - as well as how to use proper protective equipment, Dutko said.
"Motorcycling is not a bad thing," he said. "We just need to do so safely."
While some accidents may be caused by the motorcycle rider, some are caused by a car or truck driver, Dutko said, which is why protective equipment is so important.
The techniques they learn in the course can help them "walk away with a few bumps and bruises, rather than becoming a statistic on our nation's highways," he said.
Petty Officer 1st Class Robert Neal, a hospital corpsman, was one of 12 students in the Camp Johnson course Thursday. He said wanted to take the course to avoid ending up like the victims he has seen on the roads.
"I didn't want to be one of those fatalities," he said. "(The course) has enlightened me and shown me things I was never aware of."
Hearing about the large number of motorcycle fatalities - including the motorcycle-related deaths of Camp Lejeune two Marines this month - is upsetting, Neal said.
"With everything that's going on, that's one more Marine down to defend our country, for something that could have been prevented," he said.
Lance Cpl. Roger Willard agreed. Hearing about the wrecks makes him more vigilant, he said.
"It's sad that people don't look out for motorcycles," he said. "You have to watch out for yourself."
By the end of this month, every command must identify the motorcyclists in each unit, to give commanders an idea of who owns a motorcycle, what type and what experience they have, Dutko said. That motorcycle census will go to base safety officials, so they can ensure Marines have taken or are signed up for the correct safety courses.
"We look at every Marine, sailor and civilian who works aboard one of our installations ... they're part of our family," he said. "We need to look at how we can set them up for success on our nation's roadways."
Contact interactive content editor Jennifer Hlad at 910-219-8467.
Ellie
Comments 0 | Recommend 0
August 29, 2008 - 12:57AM
JENNIFER HLAD
DAILY NEWS STAFF
With the Labor Day holiday weekend eminent, Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Conway has called for a safety stand-down in an effort to reduce traffic fatalities.
All units are required to conduct safety briefs, a discussion of the Marine Corps vehicle policy and inspect all vehicles and motorcycles. Commanders also are required to focus specifically on motorcycle safety.
Throughout the Marine Corps, more Marines have died in motorcycle and vehicle crashes since October than in Iraq and Afghanistan during that time period. Eight II Marine Expeditionary Force Marines have died in motorcycle crashes so far this year.
And the problem is not "confined to our junior Marines," Conway wrote in a letter to all commanders. Nearly half of the motorcycle deaths involved Marines who are sergeants or senior, he said.
"We have driven our combat casualties down, yet we continue to have Marines and sailors die on our nation's highways in record numbers," Conway wrote. "This senseless loss of life is devastating to our families and reduces our combat readiness."
The stand-down is a chance to pause and review safety requirements and measures. It's also a way to "get the message out to the Marines that it's very important that they use good, sound judgment when they're off base and off duty," said Stanley Dutko Jr., regional and installation safety manager for Marine Corps Installations East and Camp Lejeune.
Marines already are required to take a safety course if they own a motorcycle. Thursday, a group of Marines and sailors navigated an obstacle course at Camp Johnson as part of the basic rider course offered through Camp Lejeune in partnership with Coastal Carolina Community College.
The course teaches Marines and sailors basic motorcycle handling techniques - such as braking, steering, curve negotiation and clutch manipulation - as well as how to use proper protective equipment, Dutko said.
"Motorcycling is not a bad thing," he said. "We just need to do so safely."
While some accidents may be caused by the motorcycle rider, some are caused by a car or truck driver, Dutko said, which is why protective equipment is so important.
The techniques they learn in the course can help them "walk away with a few bumps and bruises, rather than becoming a statistic on our nation's highways," he said.
Petty Officer 1st Class Robert Neal, a hospital corpsman, was one of 12 students in the Camp Johnson course Thursday. He said wanted to take the course to avoid ending up like the victims he has seen on the roads.
"I didn't want to be one of those fatalities," he said. "(The course) has enlightened me and shown me things I was never aware of."
Hearing about the large number of motorcycle fatalities - including the motorcycle-related deaths of Camp Lejeune two Marines this month - is upsetting, Neal said.
"With everything that's going on, that's one more Marine down to defend our country, for something that could have been prevented," he said.
Lance Cpl. Roger Willard agreed. Hearing about the wrecks makes him more vigilant, he said.
"It's sad that people don't look out for motorcycles," he said. "You have to watch out for yourself."
By the end of this month, every command must identify the motorcyclists in each unit, to give commanders an idea of who owns a motorcycle, what type and what experience they have, Dutko said. That motorcycle census will go to base safety officials, so they can ensure Marines have taken or are signed up for the correct safety courses.
"We look at every Marine, sailor and civilian who works aboard one of our installations ... they're part of our family," he said. "We need to look at how we can set them up for success on our nation's roadways."
Contact interactive content editor Jennifer Hlad at 910-219-8467.
Ellie