Navy Concerned with Motorcycle Safety

Bikers: Take training ... or else

NORFOLK, Va. — Blowing off safety training can land motorcycle-borne sailors and Marines in serious trouble, from administrative action to separation.

The crackdown on motorcycle safety comes as the fleet’s motorcycle fatalities for the current fiscal year, 21, already have exceeded last year’s total by three.

Recent updates to the Navy Traffic Safety Program emphasize fleet leaders’ concern over accidents on the road. Under the program, the Navy requires increased safety training and will hold commands responsible for ensuring its sailors know how to stay accident-free.

In particular, all sailors who own a so-called “sport bike” must take a safety course in addition to the Basic Rider Course already required for a base vehicle decal.

Those who are caught riding on or off base without completing the courses are subject to punishment.

“It’s like any other standards violation; they’re subject to disciplinary action,” said Rear Adm. Arthur Johnson Jr., commander of the Naval Safety Center. “Some people incorrectly assume that if they didn’t ride on base, they didn’t have to take the course.”

A July 3 message released by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Gary Roughead stressed the responsibility of commands to educate sailors.

“I expect leaders at all levels to thoroughly review [the revised program] and ensure our sailors know and follow its provisions,” the message states.

Completion of the safety courses will be noted in a sailor’s service record, and beginning next year, riders will be subject to a refresher course every three years.

Failure to comply could subject a sailor or Marine to the gamut of administrative action and punitive measures authorized under the Uniform Code of Military Justice for regulation violations. As with any disciplinary action, punishment is up to the discretion of a commanding officer and can include an administrative separation.

Johnson said the courses are provided through a contractor under the auspices of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. Beginning in October, training bikes will be available for sailors who have not yet bought a motorcycle.

He said the stiffened measures originate in the secretary of the Navy’s office and also affect Marines. Civilian Navy Department personnel who ride sport bikes also must take the extra course to be allowed to ride on base.

The high level of concern comes as the Navy and Corps have seen more motorcycle deaths in the first 9½ months of fiscal 2008 than in all of fiscal 2007. Since October, there have been 39 fatal motorcycle accidents, with 21 sailors and 18 Marines killed. In all of last year, motorcycle accidents killed 18 sailors and 19 Marines.

Johnson said that for commanders, personal vehicle safety becomes a readiness issue when a unit member dies on the road, has an accident or faces some other traffic issue prevents them from reporting for duty. “It’s a significant challenge and a ‘mission degrader,’ if you will,” he said.

The CNO message notes that personal protective equipment, such as helmets, is required even if “the state you are riding through does not [require it].”

Any sailor who buys a bike must tell his command so time can be set aside for the safety courses, if the sailor has not already completed them. Johnson said the Navy and Marine Corps want to get 12,500 sport bike riders through the daylong course by Oct. 1. The courses are free, and sailors are to be able to complete them without taking leave or using a weekend.

Johnson said car mishap rates are “not significant” and not the focus of the new crackdown, although the message says: “For Navy leadership at all levels, [the revisions give] you the ability to enforce compliance. It calls for identifying your high-risk drivers.”

To keep the enforcement pressure on commands, a safety compliance check will be made part of annual Inspector General unit reviews.

“It’s not a short-term endeavor,” Johnson said.