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Revving up motorcycle safety
Between fiscal year 2004 (FY04) and FY08, the Marine Corps lost 82 personnel due to motorcycle fatalities. In fact, across the Department of Defense (DoD), motorcycle fatalities and mishaps have risen at an alarming rate. Nevertheless, current rules, regulations, and programs of record have had little to no effect. In response, the Director, Expeditionary Warfare School (EWS), recently challenged students to propose solutions. This article summarizes many of those student recommendations, from targeted programs to an outright ban.
Background
Eighty-eight percent of FY08 (only data available) Marine fatalities were incurred by sport bike riders. Of the 25 fatalities in FY08 (only data available) 28 percent were unlicensed operators. At the same time, of those 25 fatalities, 44 percent had no documented training.
In response to these statistics, and similar data across the DoD, each Service has implemented similar regulations on the use of proper personal protective equipment (PPE), licensing, and training programs:
* The Army's loss of 94 soldiers from FY99 to FY04 led to the creation of the Motorcycle Mentorship Program in December 2005. The program, much like II Marine Expeditionary Forces (? MEF s) Motorcycle Club Program created in March 2006, brings together inexperienced and experienced riders in a mentorship program.
* The Air Force does not permit first year riders in Okinawa to operate motorcycles greater than 400ccs. Along with these measures, the Air Force has also created safety education and training programs. These may be found on the Air Force Safety Centers website at www.afsc.af.mil.
* The U.S. Navy has implemented similar motorcycle safety education and training programs. These may be found on the Naval Safety Center's website at www.safetycenter.navy.mil.
Nevertheless, as noted in Marine Corps ALMAR 014/08, Private Motor Vehicle and Motorcycle Safety Requirements, ". . . recent trends indicate a culture of noncompliance among younger riders, in particular sport-bike riders."1 Consequently each Service has sought to find other acceptable solutions.
EWS Recommendations
Many EWS captains (motorcyclists and nonmotorcyclists alike) have experienced casualties among young Marines under their command and have strong feelings about what can and should be done.
Targeted programs. Several recommendations focused on the programs themselves and suggested targeting the most "at risk" groups.
* The targer population for the Motorcycle Club...