The critical days of summer draws to an end

  • Published
  • By Bill Morrow
  • 501st Combat Support Wing Safety Office
RAF ALCONBURY, United Kingdom --  The Critical Days of Summer began on the Friday before Memorial Day and runs through Labor Day. As we enter this final week, it's not surprising we try to make it without mishaps.

The Air Force has had 18 Class A mishaps to day this year; four with aircraft, one of which had four fatalities. Off-duty motor vehicle mishaps continue to be the leading cause of loss of life among our military members and this past weekend was no exception as a motorcycle fatality again came to USAFE.

As for the 15 weeks in total to date there were seven automobile fatalities throughout the Air Force. There were four fatalities involving motorcycles with the last two motor vehicle fatalities in USAFE both involving motorcycles. The remainder involved single deaths due to discharge of a personal firearm, a drowning, and one during PT.

Operating a vehicle is one aspect of day to day life that touches more of us than almost any other. Driving is the single most dangerous activity we undertake every day and we do it on a different side of the road. That in itself explains why we spend so much time and emphasis on your safety when behind the wheel of a car or managing the throttle of a motorcycle.

What we see in vehicle mishaps is that it is not generally the fault of the other driver, or surface conditions, but our own. Loss of control, speed, and striking a fixed object (tree, concrete barrier, guard rail), these are the recurring themes. Personal risk management should be the standard. If you're tired, pull over and get some rest or stop for the night. If road and weather conditions go south, slow down; better to arrive late than not at all. Need for speed, take it to a track, do an experience day.

Here's something we don't talk about very often, the consequences. You're not the only one on the road, and what Air Force stats don't show is who else died as a result of our military members mishap; grandmothers, parents, children, babies.

The concern for you as coworkers, leaders, and wingmen is most important. It's about you and always has been. We want to see you on Sept. 7, at your work place, sharing tales of the weekend. Make choices that protect you from yourself when you're at your weakest.