7/6/2012 - JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas –
Summer safety has been preached for many years during Critical Days of Summer, an Air Force campaign that stretches from Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend. Topics covered during CDOS reiterate that military members must make good decisions, which Master Sgt. David Roller, Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph ground safety superintendent, believed would be the chief preventer of motorcycle accidents.
"Most of the motorcycle mishaps in the Air Force are our own fault," Roller said. "It's just poor riding behavior - speeding, aggressive driving and improper cornering."
Out of six recorded vehicular accidents in the Air Force as of June 21, four have involved motorcycles.
Speed mostly plays a major role in many motorcycle crashes.
"The road is too unpredictable for high speed," Roller said. "With all of the construction, congestion and gravel out there, there's no room for speeding."
Gravel can especially ruin a motorcycle's traction and cause riders to swerve.
Despite good decision-making, motorcyclists are still prone to bad driving behaviors of other motorists - who are most of the time at fault when a fatal motorcycle crash involves another vehicle, according to the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.
Certain spots in the city are notable for congestion, which points to trouble for motorcyclists, Roller said.
"Our traffic (in San Antonio) is deplorable," he said. "The I-35 corridor is just the worst and the construction area near U.S. 281 and Loop 1604 is terrible. I-10 from DeZavala out to 1604 is also terrible."
And with 70 percent of vehicles on the road being cars - chances are likely that motorists do not consciously look out for motorcyclists.
"Most people are watching out for cars," because most people drive cars, Roller said.
"It's as simple as this: if you're not a rider, you're probably not interested in riding and you won't pay much attention to motorcycles," he said. "It's no one's fault - it just happens by design; if you are interested in a certain car, you tend to notice that car on the road."
Motorcycles' diminutive size, which present blind spot issues for other motorists, becomes a bigger issue at night.
"The main difference between day and nighttime driving is visibility," Roller said. "Motorcyclists are close to 'invisible' on the road and their silhouette becomes even less visible at night."
From personal experience, Roller suggested motorcyclists to fight fire with fire regarding visibility.
"Ride like you're invisible then" - a self-check for defensive driving, he said. "Ride as if nobody will see you. It'll help keep you disciplined and out of harm's way."
Even group rides - a more visible sighting on the road - do not ensure automatic safety.
"It all depends on the attitudes of people riding in your group," Roller said. "That's when people are bound to show off or impress each other (by speeding or executing dangerous stunts), which can cause accidents."
To prepare for collisions, motorcyclists should wear full-faced helmets that meet the U.S. Department of Transportation standards.
Linda Howlett, JBSA-Randolph ground safety manager, said that because collisions usually eject riders from their motorcycles, not wearing a helmet risks major brain trauma.
"You have little control of your body once you're in the air," she said. "Your head becomes liable to hitting something - other vehicles, barriers or the road - and can very easily lead to death."
For "the best the market has to offer" in helmet safety exceeding DOT standards, Roller suggested riders look into buying helmets certified by the Snell Memorial Foundation (as indicated by a sticker with the "Snell" label), a not-for-profit organization that has independently tested helmet safety since 1957.
Along with solid head gear, Texas riders must also prepare for high temperatures.
Synthetic jackets can help beat the heat.
"Any modern synthetic jacket (with mesh materials for improved air flow) is best for South Texas riding," Roller said, "which is better than just wearing a T-shirt. Wear anything vented that will keep you cool but that is still protected. Leather is really not a good choice because it's too hot."
As for those new to riding or who are thinking about buying a motorcycle?
"Take a motorcycle safety course," Roller said. "It will establish a good foundation for your mental and physical skills to see if you're fit to ride."
Courses will issue the rider a special license needed to drive motorcycles, but such information is none of dealerships' business - and they prefer it that way.
"You don't need a license to buy a motorcycle," Roller said. "Businesses are out to make money; you need to ensure your own safety."