U.S. ARMY
MOTORCYCLE SAFETY GUIDE

Motorcycling has become increasingly popular in the Army with 33,425 motorcycles currently registered on Army installations. One result is that motorcycle accident rates have increased proportionately. As the accident rate goes up, leaders must find ways to improve motorcycle safety within the Army. The Chief of Staff, Army, now requires the Six Point Program developed by the Combat Readiness Center be used by all Army units. Like any sport, motorcycling can be very dangerous. Although we cannot totally prevent motorcycle accidents, through proper training and preparation we can reduce them. Therefore, our actions can make riding motorcycles fun rather than fatal.

We must first ask some pertinent questions if we truly desire to improve Army motorcycle safety. Some basic questions are:

♦ How safe is motorcycling?

♦ How does it compare to driving an automobile?

♦ Are there any special precautions to be observed?

♦ What are the causes of crashes, and how can crashes be reduced?

I. BACKGROUND:

The United States Department of Transportation, Division of Highway Safety, offered the following information on motorcycles in DOT HS 807 709.

“There are over 4 million motorcycles registered in the United States. The popularity of this mode of transportation is attributed to the low initial cost of a motorcycle, its use as a pleasure vehicle and, for some models, the good fuel efficiency. Motorcycle fatalities represent approximately five percent of all highway fatalities each year, yet motorcycles represent just two percent of all registered vehicles in the United States. One of the main reasons motorcyclists are killed in crashes is because the motorcycle, itself, provides virtually no protection in a crash. For example, approximately 80 percent of reported motorcycle crashes result in injury or death; a