Motorcycle safety training available Published July 31, 2013 By Mark Wyatt 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- The Air Force has had 15 motorcycle related fatalities since Oct. 1, 2012. Six of those fatalities have occurred since the start of the Critical Days of Summer campaign Memorial Day weekend. That trend, if it continues, will exceed last year's totals. To slow this, the Air Force chief of safety reminded Airmen that looking out for one another is a critical component of staying Safe 'n Sound - All Year Round, the Air Force's CDOS campaign theme. "We're halfway through the critical days of summer campaign, an important milestone since we've historically seen an upsurge in fatalities in the second half of the season," said Maj. Gen. Kurt F. Neubaur in a mid-CDOS campaign memorandum. "Whether riding a motorcycle, competing in a triathlon, water skiing, or relaxing at the pool, have the right gear and the right mindset." As a result of this increase, officials in the 66th Air Base Group Safety Office want the Hanscom community to play a part in motorcyclists remaining safe. "A Basic Rider Course and a Basic Rider Course 2 are now available free to active duty Air Force personnel assigned to Hanscom, active duty military personnel at tenant units and active duty personnel assigned to local colleges who are administered by Hanscom," said Staff Sgt. Jacob Chromy, 66th Air Base Group ground safety technician. "The training is mandatory for all military motorcycle riders assigned to Hanscom." The free courses are scheduled for every weekend through the end of September. To register for a course, active duty Airmen must first speak with a unit motorcycle coordinator to be entered into the tracking tool. Members then must have a documented briefing with their commander before registering. "Upon completion of meeting with the unit motorcycle coordinator and commander, the member can then contact the safety office to set up a time to register for the motorcycle safety course," said Chromy. The requirements have changed from being a one-time training to attending an initial training session and then an intermediate training session one year after the initial. Members are then required to attend a refresher training session every five years thereafter. Air Force Instruction 91-207 and Department of Defense Instruction 6055.04 require that motorcycle operators and their passengers wear proper protective clothing while operating on a military installation; this requirement applies to both military and civilians. "For military personnel, protective clothing is required when riding on base or off," Chromy said. Additionally, motorists and bicyclists should perform visual checks for motorcyclists by checking mirrors and blind spots before they enter or exit a lane of traffic and at intersections. Pedestrians should also get into the habit of scanning for motorcyclists who might be hidden by other traffic. Chromy reminds all road users that "motorcyclists have responsibilities, too." He reminds the Hanscom community that a motorcyclist is much more vulnerable than a passenger vehicle occupant in the event of a crash. Research from DOT's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that, per vehicle mile traveled, motorcyclists are more likely than occupants in an automobile to die in traffic crashes. The following are tips for drivers to help keep motorcyclists safe on the roadways: · Remember, a motorcycle is a vehicle with all of the rights and privileges of any other motor vehicle. · Always allow a motorcyclist the full lane width--never try to share a lane. · Perform a visual check for motorcycles by checking mirrors and blind spots before entering or exiting a lane of traffic, and at intersections. · Always signal intentions before changing lanes or merging with traffic. · Don't be fooled by a flashing turn signal on a motorcycle - motorcycle signals are often not self-canceling and riders sometimes forget to turn them off. Wait to be sure the motorcycle is going to turn before you proceed. · Allow more following distance - three or four seconds - when behind a motorcycle so the motorcyclist has enough time to maneuver or stop in an emergency. · Never tailgate. In dry conditions, motorcycles can stop more quickly than cars. · Never drive while distracted. Motorcyclists can increase their safety by: · Avoiding riding in poor weather conditions. · Wearing brightly colored protective gear during the day and reflective gear during hours of limited visibility. - Wear a DOT-compliant helmet. · Using turn signals for every turn or lane change, even if the rider thinks no one will see it. · Combining hand signals and turn signals to draw more attention to themselves · Using reflective tape and stickers to increase conspicuity · Keeping high beams on during the day · Positioning themselves in the lane where they will be most visible to other drivers · Never driving while impaired. For further information about motorcycle safety or to register for a motorcycle safety course, contact the safety office at 781-225-5584. Base motorcycle operators are encouraged to visit the Air Force Rider website at www.afsec.af.mil/airforcerider/index.asp or Department of Defense Rider website www.defense.gov/militaryrider/ for additional safety-related information.