Nationally, the number of motorcyclist fatalities has increased for the 10th consecutive year (1997-2007). While making up only 3 percent of all registered vehicles, motorcyclist fatalities represent over 12% of all motor vehicle traffic fatalities. Marine Corps-wide, motorcyclist deaths have been rising for the 5th consecutive year (FY04-FY08). In FY08, motorcyclists constituted 49% of all motor vehicle traffic deaths in the Marine Corps. Nationally, the mean age of motorcyclists killed increased to 39.5 in 2007. In the Marine Corps, the mean age has stayed relatively level at 25.0. Marine Corps-wide in FY08 (only data available), 28% of motorcycle fatalities were unlicensed operators, compared to a national average of 25%, and 44% of Marine motorcycle fatalities had no documented training (data are unavailable for national statistics). Under Marine Corps Order (MCO) 5100.19E, Marine Corps Traffic Safety Program, all motorcycle operators 'must be appropriately licensed to operate on public highways...must successfully complete a rider or operator course prior to operation on any DoD installation, and the training must also be completed by all active duty Marines operating motorcycles whether on or off base.' Active duty Marines also must possess and wear personal protective equipment above and beyond that mandated by all states. The author recommends that the Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) Motorcycle Club Program focus specifically on Marines who are under the age of 30, regardless of rank; who have less than 2 years of experience; and who own sport bikes or supersport bikes. Any rider meeting one or more of the aforementioned criteria should be required to attend each and every event the Marine's associated club puts forth. Failure to do so, without good cause, should result in the automatic suspension of motorcycle riding privileges on base along with a Page 11 entry into the Marine's record jacket. Also, mentoring should be optional, not mandated.
Focused Impact of II Marine Expeditionary Force Motorcycle Club Program
2009
17 pages
Report
Keine Angabe
Englisch
Personnel Management, Labor Relations & Manpower , Personnel , Job Training & Career Development , Transportation , Military Sciences , Marine corps personnel , Accidents , Prevention , Mortality rate , Motorcycles , Policies , Military law , Operators(Personnel) , Casualties , Protective equipment , Safety , Statistics , Death , Marine corps , Mef(Marine expeditionary force) , Motorcyclist fatalities , Motorcycle club program , Mentoring , Mentors