15 WG Safety warns motorcycle riders against complacency

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Terri Paden
  • 15th Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii --  It was a typical day in Hawaii. The weather was warm and the sun was out so I decided to ride my motorcycle to work. I was on my way to a meeting when out of nowhere a truck sped into the parking lot ahead of me. As I tried to make a quick stop, the truck's rear end clipped the front of my bike and down I went. Much to my surprise, the truck drove off leaving me to pick myself and my bike up off the ground and assess the damage on my own. Fortunately, except for a few minor scrapes and bruises, I was uninjured; however I learned a very valuable lesson that day: Every rider is truly responsible for their own personal safety. It doesn't matter if you're on base or off-base, it's up to you to ride defensively and prepare for the unexpected.

*Editor's Note: The above is a true story told by a 15th Wing Airman recently involved in a motorcycle incident. His identity has been withheld for privacy reasons.

Though the above story ended relatively well, recently there has been an increase in motorcycle related accidents involving Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Airmen and Sailors that resulted in substantial injuries, loss of property and even death.

Though not every single accident will be avoided, the 15th Wing Safety Office encourages JBPH-H motorcycle riders to go back to the basics of motorcycle safety.

"At a typical stateside base people usually ride four or five months out the year before the cold weather forces them to put their bikes away, but in Hawaii the weather is always great so we get to ride 365 days a year," said Staff Sgt. Brian Miles, 15th Wing Ground Safety manager.

"But it's simple, the more time you spend on the road; the more likely you are to have an accident. Even though the increased ride time is enjoyable, it also means riders here are more susceptible to mishaps and accidents."

Miles said during the summer months, the Air Force's 101 Critical Days of Summer campaign places an increased emphasis on motorcycle safety, but riders living in Hawaii should keep safety at the forefront of their minds year round.

"There are additional hazards to riders in Hawaii," he said. "One potential threat that is unique to Hawaii is tourists. It's something many people don't give a second thought, but if tourists are driving around lost, or looking for something, their attention is less likely to be on the road or other drivers around them."

Miles cautioned riders to be aware of this, and always remember to drive defensively and exercise situational awareness.

"It's not just the tourists though, it's people who are texting while driving, messing with the radio or engaged in deep conversation you have to look out for," he said. "Riders need to have a heightened situational awareness, don't ever assume a driver sees you because nine times out of 10 they don't."

Other hazards motorcyclist should be mindful of are the weather and road construction.

"Here, gravel is one of those things you have to be vigilant about," said Miles. "It comes out of nowhere it seems sometimes. A road is clear one day, and the next day there's construction going on and it is covered in gravel. Likewise, the weather here can be unpredictable. It goes from wet to dry pretty quickly, and it usually changes depending on which side of the island you're on. The bottom line is you have to make sure you're paying attention at all times when you're riding."

According to Miles, many motorcycle accidents are preventable, and having the proper training and protective clothing goes a long way toward prevention.

"A lot of people think their riding experience is directly related to the amount of time they have been riding, but there really is no optimal time frame for experience," said Miles. "No matter how long you have been riding there's always risk associated and you have to be careful not to become complacent over the years. Younger guys and newer riders typically want to go fast so that obviously poses a huge risk, but it's just as dangerous to be an older, experienced rider not taking the proper safety precautions. "It's really all about life choices you're only as safe as you make yourself on the road in the end."

To become a trained motorcycle rider on JBPH-H visit navyrider.com or contact your squadron motorcycle safety representative.

Proper personal protective equipment for on base riders is as follows:

- Head protection

- Eye protection

- Protective clothing: a long sleeve shirt or jacket, long pants and full-fingered gloves or mittens is required. Riders should select fluorescent or brightly colored, retro-reflective material

- Foot protection: Includes sturdy, over the ankle foot wear