thedrifter
05-05-09, 06:09 AM
Attacking motorcycle safety 'head on'
Comments 2 | Recommend 1
May 4, 2009 - 7:22 PM
AMANDA HICKEY
The Marine Corps lost 25 Marines in motorcycle crashes during fiscal year 2008 - five more than died in Iraq, Marine Corps Installations East Commanding General Maj. Gen. Carl B. Jensen said Monday.
So far in 2009, nine Marines and sailors have been killed in motorcycle wrecks.
"We are losing more Marines on motorcycles on the roads here in the U.S. than we are ... in Iraq," Jensen said.
In an effort to prevent future deaths, the North Carolina Department of Transportation kicked off motorcycle safety awareness month Monday aboard Camp Lejeune.
Law enforcement and Marine motorcyclists were among those gathered at Goettge Memorial Field House to "remind both motorcyclists and other drivers of the importance of motorcycle safety," said Darrell Jernigan, director of the governor's highway safety program director.
"We are losing too many of our Marines and sailors on the road driving motorcycles. ... One is too many, as far as I'm concerned," Jensen said.
North Carolina has more than 193,000 licensed motorcyclists, and with prime riding season approaching, Jernigan expects an influx of motorcyclists on the road.
Motorcycles are only 2 percent of registered vehicles in North Carolina, but account for 12 percent of fatalities, Jernigan said.
"These are high-performance, high-technology, high-power machines. ... There is only one defense for that - training," Jensen said.
Too many Marines and sailors have gone without proper training, he said, and "they are paying for that with their lives."
Camp Lejeune has motorcycle organizations, required proper protective equipment and mandatory courses, including the basic rider course and either the experienced rider course, for big bikes, or sport-bike rider course, Jensen said.
"These machines are very easy to lose control of and that's typically how our Marines and sailors lose their lives. ... Control is essential," he said.
Cpl. Joshua Smith, with Headquarters Battalion, Camp Lejeune, returned from a five-day ride to Asheville in time to attend the ceremony, he said.
Smith purchased his Harley Davidson about six months ago and has taken the required courses.
"I've learned quite a bit in handling in corners ... and avoiding hazardous situations," said Smith. "Everything that we learn ... is used in everyday situations."
After completing the courses, Smith said he is "very confident" in his riding ability.
The Marine Corps has also instituted a speed and directional challenge course at Cherry Point Air Station, where riders learn how to brake properly and lean into a turn.
"We think there's great potential in that and we intend to pursue it," Jensen said.
Training is the "most important thing we can do," said Stan Dutko, Marine Corps Installations East Safety Manager.
There used to be a wait for the courses, but that has decreased, Dutko said.
"We were able to reduce that wait time (at all installations) to less than seven days," he said.
The goal is to "reduce the number of mishaps" through training and education, Dutko said.
"We're going to attack this head on, like we attack everything else - head on," Jensen said.
The North Carolina Highway Patrol also is doing its part with the BikeSafe program, said Sgt. Mark Brown, the BikeSafe coordinator.
Through BikeSafe, motorcyclists are able to ride with a law enforcement motorcyclist for a day and receive critiques and recommendations to improve their riding, he said.
"Who better to teach you about motorcycle safety than someone who does it day in and day out for a living?" Brown said.
BikeSafe is free and offered in Jacksonville, Camp Lejeune, Wilmington and Raleigh, according to the North Carolina Highway Patrol Web site.
Contact Jacksonville/Onslow County reporter Amanda Hickey at 910-219-8461 or ahickey@freedomenc.com.
Ellie
Comments 2 | Recommend 1
May 4, 2009 - 7:22 PM
AMANDA HICKEY
The Marine Corps lost 25 Marines in motorcycle crashes during fiscal year 2008 - five more than died in Iraq, Marine Corps Installations East Commanding General Maj. Gen. Carl B. Jensen said Monday.
So far in 2009, nine Marines and sailors have been killed in motorcycle wrecks.
"We are losing more Marines on motorcycles on the roads here in the U.S. than we are ... in Iraq," Jensen said.
In an effort to prevent future deaths, the North Carolina Department of Transportation kicked off motorcycle safety awareness month Monday aboard Camp Lejeune.
Law enforcement and Marine motorcyclists were among those gathered at Goettge Memorial Field House to "remind both motorcyclists and other drivers of the importance of motorcycle safety," said Darrell Jernigan, director of the governor's highway safety program director.
"We are losing too many of our Marines and sailors on the road driving motorcycles. ... One is too many, as far as I'm concerned," Jensen said.
North Carolina has more than 193,000 licensed motorcyclists, and with prime riding season approaching, Jernigan expects an influx of motorcyclists on the road.
Motorcycles are only 2 percent of registered vehicles in North Carolina, but account for 12 percent of fatalities, Jernigan said.
"These are high-performance, high-technology, high-power machines. ... There is only one defense for that - training," Jensen said.
Too many Marines and sailors have gone without proper training, he said, and "they are paying for that with their lives."
Camp Lejeune has motorcycle organizations, required proper protective equipment and mandatory courses, including the basic rider course and either the experienced rider course, for big bikes, or sport-bike rider course, Jensen said.
"These machines are very easy to lose control of and that's typically how our Marines and sailors lose their lives. ... Control is essential," he said.
Cpl. Joshua Smith, with Headquarters Battalion, Camp Lejeune, returned from a five-day ride to Asheville in time to attend the ceremony, he said.
Smith purchased his Harley Davidson about six months ago and has taken the required courses.
"I've learned quite a bit in handling in corners ... and avoiding hazardous situations," said Smith. "Everything that we learn ... is used in everyday situations."
After completing the courses, Smith said he is "very confident" in his riding ability.
The Marine Corps has also instituted a speed and directional challenge course at Cherry Point Air Station, where riders learn how to brake properly and lean into a turn.
"We think there's great potential in that and we intend to pursue it," Jensen said.
Training is the "most important thing we can do," said Stan Dutko, Marine Corps Installations East Safety Manager.
There used to be a wait for the courses, but that has decreased, Dutko said.
"We were able to reduce that wait time (at all installations) to less than seven days," he said.
The goal is to "reduce the number of mishaps" through training and education, Dutko said.
"We're going to attack this head on, like we attack everything else - head on," Jensen said.
The North Carolina Highway Patrol also is doing its part with the BikeSafe program, said Sgt. Mark Brown, the BikeSafe coordinator.
Through BikeSafe, motorcyclists are able to ride with a law enforcement motorcyclist for a day and receive critiques and recommendations to improve their riding, he said.
"Who better to teach you about motorcycle safety than someone who does it day in and day out for a living?" Brown said.
BikeSafe is free and offered in Jacksonville, Camp Lejeune, Wilmington and Raleigh, according to the North Carolina Highway Patrol Web site.
Contact Jacksonville/Onslow County reporter Amanda Hickey at 910-219-8461 or ahickey@freedomenc.com.
Ellie