Army Preliminary Loss Report

I get these from time to time.  The reports are sad but I hope someone can learn from a these reports.



PRELIMINARY LOSS REPORT 06110



MOTORCYCLE CRASH CLAIMS 1 SOLDIER'S LIFE - ACCIDENT



A 214th Field Artillery Brigade, III Corps Artillery, Ft Sill Soldier was killed in a motorcycle accident on 15 April 2006 at 2130 local in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  The 20 year-old SPC was on a four day pass visiting family and friends.  The Soldier was test driving a 2004 Honda CBR motorcycle prior to buying it from a friend.  The SPC was following his friend riding another bike when he fell behind on a four lane road and attempted to catch up.  A 1996 Nissan sedan traveling in the opposite direction turned left in front of him.  The Soldier attempted to stop by applying brakes and stood the bike up briefly on the front wheel catapulting him into the right side of the vehicle.  The SPC was taken to a local medical center where he later died as a result of his injuries. The Soldier did not have a motorcycle license, had not completed Motorcycle Safety Foundation training, and was not wearing a DOT approved helmet.  Speed was a factor.



Including this accident, there were 51 Class A-C Army Privately Owned Motorcycle and All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) accidents in FY06 compared to 67 for the same time frame in FY05.  These 50 accidents have resulted in 19 fatalities compared to 20 Soldier deaths for the same time frame in FY05.



Consider the following TTPs to prevent a motorcycle accident:

ü     Remind Soldiers that even though they may ride in a no-helmet state they must still follow the Army's policy of always wearing a DOT-approved helmet and PPE when riding a motorcycle.  Please see the USACRC Impax article "A Rider Speaks Out" for more information.

ü     Motorcyclists should be vigilant in driving defensively. Slow down and leave yourself an out since many drivers don't "recognize" a motorcycle. "Ten Things All Car & Truck Drivers Should Know About Motorcycles" Quick Tips.



* Preliminary Loss Reports (PLR) are provided to leaders for awareness, trends, and TTPs.  Our Army depends on you to disseminate PLRs to the lowest levels of your formation in order to help high risk troops understand the impact of decisions made on and off duty.



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