Riding the Right Way: Responsibly

Riding the Right Way: Responsibly

By PA2 Ryan Doss, District Seven Public Affairs

MIAMI -- Motorcycles have become an increasingly popular form of transportation over the past few years with, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, an estimated 30 million riders operating on United States roads and highways. More and more people are taking up riding or at least considering it, but with those decisions, come the reality of how vulnerable riders are and the dangerous situations that riders may face, no matter how cautious they are.

With the number of motorists on the road continually growing, according to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, some motorcycle enthusiasts have decided to give up riding their motorcycles, due to the inherent dangers around them.

In a car you tend to look a few car lengths ahead. On a motorcycle you have to look a mile ahead. You have to constantly remain aware of everything around you, said Petty Officer 2^nd Class John Farrell.

"You have to constantly be thinking of escape routes such as, 'Can I pull off to the shoulder here? Do I try and pass this guy or slow down?' Riders have to give their full concentration to what's going on around them at all times," he said.

MIAMI -- Petty Officer 1st Class Jeffrey Reynolds displays the proper and required safety equipment for riding a motorcycle. Coast Guard photograph by PA2 Ryan Doss.

Farrell, stationed at the Seventh District headquarters in Miami, recently cut back on how often he rides his motorcycle due to the increasing number of drivers who take to the roads everyday. It's not only other drivers who pose a danger to motorcyclists though.

Farrell said that riders must be able to control themselves and avoid the inherent temptations of motorcycles, such as speeding, racing and performing dangerous stunts. Human error also plays a dangerous role on the road. "The motorcycle will always go faster than you can control," said Farrell. "You have to control yourself. The faster you go, the smaller your margin for error gets," he added.

There are steps that riders can take to prepare for the unknowns that lie ahead and there are certain requirements that Coast Guardsmen must adhere to as well.

Coast Guardsmen who operate motorcycles, regardless of location or duty status, are required to meet certain qualifications and are required to wear specific safety gear.

Coast Guard personnel including civilians are required to complete a safety training course approved by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation or a similar course approved by a state or the Department of Defense. Motorcyclists must also have a valid driver's license with a motorcycle endorsement where required by law. This endorsement is required while operating a motorcycle on all Coast Guard and DOD facilities.

The motorcycle itself must have rear-view mirrors and the operator must have the headlights turned on at all times, unless prohibited by law.

All motorcyclists, operators and passengers must wear the personal protective equipment outlined in Chapter 10.I.9.g of the Safety and Environmental Health Manual.

This equipment includes:

Department of Transportation or Snell-approved helmet worn with chin strap properly fastened. Novelty helmets are not allowed.
Proper eye protection must be worn at all times. The material of the eye protection should be impact and shatter resistant whether the rider chooses to wear safety glasses or goggles. A helmet with a built-in, full-face shield is also considered sufficient protection. The motorcycle's windshield or fairing is not considered to be proper eye protection. Additionally, riders should not wear dark glasses at night.
Sturdy footwear that covers the ankles must be worn at all times by riders.
Full-fingered safety gloves should be worn to protect the rider's hands
Long-legged pants should be worn to protect the rider's legs from burns and to minimize injury in the event of an accident.
A long sleeve shirt or jacket must be worn.
Additional padding or guarding for off-road activity must be worn when appropriate.
Bright-colored or white upper garments should be worn in the daytime.
High visibility reflective or retro-reflective vests, harnesses, or strips of such should be worn at night or in periods of low visibility such as rain or fog. Retro-reflective vests or harness are required to be worn at all times while on DOD facilities.

Don’t let it happen to you-

Here are some excerpts from a recent mishap report from a District Seven unit detailing what happened to one of their unit members when he didn’t wear the proper personal protective equipment.

3. MISHAP DESCRIPTION: OFF-DUTY MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT
4. MISSION AT TIME OF MISHAP: OFF DUTY/OFF-THE-JOB
5. MISHAP RELATED TO UNITS OPERATIONAL MISSION: NO
6. DATE: 100205, TIME: 1630L
7. REQUIRED PPE WORN PROPERLY: NO
A. MEMBER WAS WEARING APPROPRIATE PPE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF A DOT APPROVED HELMET.
9. NARRATIVE: MEMBER WAS INVOLVED IN A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT. MEMBER WAS APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION WHERE THE LIGHT WAS RED. THE MEMBER BEGAN TO MERGE INTO THE RIGHT HAND LANE WHEN HE REALIZED IT WAS A TURNING LANE ONLY. MEMBER THEN SWERVED BACK INTO THE CENTER LANE AND APPLIED BRAKES FOR TRAFFIC STOPPED AT THE RED LIGHT. UPON BRAKE APPLICATION THE REAR TIRE BEGAN TO SLIDE ON THE WET ROAD. THE MOTORCYCLE STRUCK THE RIGHT REAR BUMPER OF A TRUCK, MEMBER WAS THROWN OVER THE HANDLE BARS AND LANDED IN THE ROAD A SHORT DISTANCE FROM THE POINT OF IMPACT. TWO MONTHS AFTER THE ACCIDENT, MEMBER'S RECOVERY CONTINUES TO BE SLOW. HE IS STILL IN SIGNIFICANT PAIN AND SUFFERING CONSIDERABLE MEMORY LOSS. MEDICAL PERSONNEL EXPECT THAT
PERMANENT PARTIAL DISABILITY IS LIKELY.
4. PRIMARY INJURY: HEAD, NATURE OF INJURY: LOSS OF CONSCIOUSNESS
       5. SECONDARY INJURY: CHEST, NATURE OF INJURY: FRACTURE
       6. SEVERITY: PARTIAL DISABILITY
       7. PPE USED: EYE, FOOT, HAND
       8. PPE REQUIRED: EYE, FOOT, HAND, HEAD
       9. DAYS HOSPITALIZED: 21

Statistical and anecdotal evidence demonstrate that the use of proper PPE minimizes injury and saves lives. Without a helmet the chances of surviving a motorcycle accident are significantly reduced, and only multiplies the inherent risk all motorcycle riders take by choosing to ride.

"Make sure to take the class. I thought I knew a lot, but you actually learn a lot more," said Farrell. "In the class we were told, 'The proper training and being prepared will make the difference between a minor and serious accident.' I didn't believe this until it happened to me," he added. "There are two types of riders, those who have had accidents and those who will."

Farrell said the course consists of two parts. The first half is a classroom-based portion and the second is road-based. According to Farrell, the classroom section focuses on scenarios, decision making and videos. The road course puts the lessons learned in the classroom to use, focusing on handling techniques.

"No one is going to make you a responsible rider but yourself," Farrell said. But even with the proper gear and training, motorcyclists are not immune to serious danger.

The Coast Guard's 215^th birthday was marked with tragedy when Petty Officer 3^rd Class Joaquine Resendez was killed in a motorcycle accident in Miami the evening of Aug. 4.

Resendez, 21, joined the Coast Guard January 14, 2003, and reported to his first duty assignment aboard the cutter Vigilant that March. He served as an assistant boarding officer while striking Boatswain's Mate, which he successfully achieved July 1 of this year.

Resendez reported to the Seventh Coast Guard District's Office of Aids to Navigation June 28 where he is remembered for his outstanding performance.

"We were stunned and saddened by the death of Petty Officer Resendez," said Lt. Cmdr. Mitchell Harvey, Chief of Waterways Management for the Seventh Coast Guard District.

"He was a bright young man with a promising future. He had clear goals and plans for what he wanted to do in life. This tragedy has not only touched the hearts and souls of all that knew him but re-established how precious and short life can be," said Harvey.

According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, 3,661 motorcyclists were killed in accidents in 2003. Approximately 67,000 others were injured. Florida ranked second in the number of motorcyclists killed with 365 fatalities.

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