Risk management tips help keep motorcyclists safe

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Mota
  • 434th ARW Public Affairs
GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. --  While the 101 Critical Days of Summer campaign focuses on risk management during the warmer months, another safety concern occurs much sooner with the onset of nice weather.

With the days getting longer and spring closer, motorcyclists are encouraged to use risk management before getting their bikes out after a long winter.

"Riding can be a lot of fun, but it can also be dangerous if the appropriate risk management is not used," said Jerry Skiles, 434th Air Refueling Wing weapons safety manager and motorcycle program coordinator. "Each year the Air Force experiences motorcycle fatalities that might have been prevented if Airmen would have used proper risk management."

In 2014 the Air Force reported 17 motorcycle fatalities, and five accidents that resulted in permanent partial disability. Another 208 motorcycle accidents resulted in minor injuries.

By conducting preventative maintenance inspections, using key safety techniques while riding and knowing your limits, motorcyclists can reduce their risk of injury.

"One of the simplest ways to start the riding season safely is by conducting routine inspections on your motorcycle especially after it has sat for a long period of time without being used," said Skiles. "Before riding, a visual and operational check should be conducted including lights, turns signals, brakes, chain, fluid levels, mirrors and cables."

In addition to inspections, riders should also be aware of the road hazards that exist after the winter months.

"After winter, Indiana is prone to pot holes and large deposits of sand and salt that can be extremely dangerous for motorcycle riders," said Tech. Sgt. John Thompson, 434th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, who has 33 years of motorcycle riding experience. "During this time of year drivers [of passenger vehicles and trucks] can experience spring fever and are sometimes distracted by cell phone conversation and other disruptions.

"Riders should anticipate actions of other drivers by looking three to five seconds ahead especially near intersections," added Thompson.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 42.6 percent of two-vehicle crashes involving a motorcycle and another type of vehicle, the other vehicle was turning left at an intersection while the motorcycle was going straight, passing, or overtaking a vehicle.

"Riders should slow down near intersections, check their mirrors for fast approaching vehicles and anticipate vehicles coming from side roads towards the intersection who might not see them," explained Thompson.

A motorcycle's ability to be seen is extremely less than other types of vehicles due to their size, but several factors can increase visibility, said Skiles.

"Motorcyclists are encouraged to wear bright colors and reflective gear so they can be seen by other drivers," added Skiles. "In addition, riders should always ride with their headlight on and avoid riding in other vehicle's blind spots."

"My bike is lit up like a Christmas tree," said Thompson who operates his motorcycle eight months out of the year and puts approximately 18,000 miles a year on it. "I want to make sure people can see me on the road.

"I also wear a reflective belt even though it is no longer required by the Air force," he said. "The reflective equipment ensures that other drivers can see me even when visibility is low."

Despite reflective belts no longer being needed for military riders, other items are required before a service member can ride.

The DOD requires individuals to successfully complete an approved rider or operator safety course before operating any motorcycle, said Skiles. As outlined in Air Force instruction 91-207, riders are also required to wear an approved helmet, eye protection, full-finger leather gloves, long sleeve shirt or jacket, long pants and over-the-ankle boots.

"These additional safety precautions are developed for riders because motorcycles take more skill to operate and provide little to no protection during a crash," he added. "For example, approximately 80 percent of reported motorcycle crashes result in injury or death; a comparable figure for automobiles is about 20 percent."

"A good rule to follow is that it doesn't matter who is at fault in an accident; you get hurt or killed because there is no fender bender on a bike," concluded Thompson.

Additional rider safety information can be seen on the Air Force Safety Center website at http://www.afsec.af.mil/airforcerider/index.asp.

Grissom is home to the 434th Air Refueling Wing, the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command, as well as three Army Reserve units. Airmen, Soldiers and Marines routinely deploy from Grissom around the world in support of the Department of Defense mission and U.S. strategic objectives.

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