Story Number: NNS070206-13
Release Date: 2/6/2007 1:16:00 PM
By April Phillips, Naval Safety Center Public Affairs
NORFOLK (NNS) -- The Naval Safety Center reminds all Sailors and Marines they are required to wear a helmet while riding a motorcycle, both on and off base, even if the state in which they are riding permits them to go without.
This reminder comes because Sailors and Marines stationed in Virginia recently may have heard about a proposed change to existing laws that, if passed, would allow riders to forego the helmet on roads considered scenic byways.
Master Chief Machinist's Mate (SW/AW) James Cooke, a traffic/recreational and off-duty specialist at the Naval Safety Center said that, no matter what, Sailors and Marines must wear helmets.
“Bottom line: you have to wear one,” said Cooke. An avid Harley-Davidson rider himself, he said people would be crazy not to make the smart choice when deciding whether or not to wear a helmet.
“It makes a difference. If you don’t have that bucket on your head, you have a better chance of ending up in a coma or dead,” said Cooke.
In fact, there’s a 37 percent better chance of death or significant head trauma compared to those who wear helmets.
So far this fiscal year, seven Sailors and three Marines have died from injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents.
“In the ideal world there would be zero deaths,” Cooke said.
All military riders are required to attend a free motorcycle safety course in order to ride on base, and they can use this information to be safe and responsible motorcycle drivers. Cooke also said that many young riders believe they won’t be involved in accidents because they are careful drivers. However, it’s often not the person on two wheels who causes the accident.
“Nine times out of 10, it’s someone in a four-wheeled vehicle who’s at fault. People who don’t ride often don’t see us. We’re not on their radar scope,” Cooke said.
Dale Wisnieski, a traffic and motorcycle safety specialist at the Safety Center said he runs into other myths while giving safety presentations throughout the fleet. One of the most prevalent myths deals with novelty helmets. Those small, black helmets that only cover the top of the head are usually not enough to save a rider in an accident. He keeps a novelty helmet once worn by a motorcyclist in his desk drawer, and takes it with him to display during presentations.
“The guy died hitting his head on a car’s bumper. It didn’t give him the protection a full-face helmet would have,” Wisneiski said.
The helmet didn’t crack. It has barely a scratch on it.
Naval instructions require all military motorcyclists to wear either full-face, 3/4 or 1/2 helmets approved by the Department of Transportation or the Snell Memorial Foundation.
Wisnieski is also a biker. He said his helmet saved his life once when his bike went down and his head hit the ground.
“In my mind, helmets are something you should want to put on your head every time you ride,” he said. “Anytime you get on your motorcycle without a helmet, it’s like saying you are willing to die.”
For related news, visit the Naval Safety Center Navy NewsStand page at http://www.news.navy.mil/local/nsc//.