Tech Sgt. Jon LaDue
Wisconsin National Guard
When the weather is hot and humid, it’s mighty tempting to skip the helmet, leather jacket, boots and tough denim jeans when riding your motorcycle.
But hot weather does not reduce your risk of serious injury or death, even if the asphalt is becoming soft as pudding. Soldiers and Airmen are our most valuable resource — it’s important to us that you are safe and healthy. Motor vehicle accidents remain a leading cause of accidental deaths in the National Guard. The right protective equipment can help. Here is a story of one of our Guard members who learned the importance of proper equipment.
As a child, I couldn’t keep my eyes off motorcycles. They looked cool, sounded cool and I knew I would own one someday. That childhood dream happened in 2006. I took all the classes the military required me to, registered my license and purchased my first sport bike.
I never thought I’d actually get into an accident. But that scary night happened one April evening in North Carolina while stationed at Pope Air Force Base. I donned all my gear, fired up my bike and cruised off. I decided to take a little bit longer of a drive than usual and headed down an unfamiliar road.
When I got to the top of a hill there was a sharp right turn. There were no signs indicating a sharp turn like this and with the sun down, and up against a heavily forested tree line, I could barely make out the turn in time.
Instead of trying to maneuver the turn like I was trained to do, I frantically clenched my brakes hoping to stop in time. I could not. I split the curve in half, cutting straight across the oncoming lane and my bike darted down a steep embankment at the apex of the curve.
Thrown from my motorcycle, I tumbled about 40 yards. I remember hitting my head three or four times – seeing red stars each time – before coming to rest on my hands and knees. It all happened so fast. Gasping for breath, I reached in my pocket for my cell phone and noticed holes in my gloves. It took me three attempts to dial for help as my hands were shaking so badly I kept pressing the wrong numbers.
I made the call and managed to get to my feet. There were no headlights beaming, no engine purring. It was silence and the moonlight. I felt scared and alone. As I gingerly walked over to my bike, I saw the damage. My motorcycle had bounced off two trees, breaking the sub frame clear off and the entire front mount, which holds the speedometer, headlights, etcetera.
I walked away with a fractured left wrist, a small puncture wound in my right thigh and cuts on my nose from where the visor on my helmet snapped in half.
The next day, I crossed paths with my wing commander, who asked about the cuts on my face. I explained to him what had happened and he said, “I’ll bet you’ll think about wearing your helmet next time.”
It was then I envisioned what would’ve happened had I actually NOT been wearing my helmet … or all my other gear, for that matter. Without the right equipment I just may have left behind all of my family and friends, my son and every other childhood dream I made growing up.
Mistakes and accidents can and will happen. Please wear your personal protective gear – for yourself and for everyone else.
It’s not just a good idea – it’s also a requirement if you’re in the National Guard. According to TAG Policy Memorandum 27, the following personal protective equipment is required when operating or riding a motorcycle or moped:
•A helmet meeting DOT standards that fastens under the chin
•Impact or shatter-resistant goggles, wrap-around glasses or full-face shield properly attached to the helmet must meet or exceed ANSI Safety Code Z87.1 for impact and shatter resistance. A windshield alone is not proper eye protection
•Sturdy footwear, leather boots or over-the-ankle shoes
•A long-sleeved shirt or jacket, long trousers and full-fingered gloves or mittens designed for use on a motorcycle
•A brightly colored outer upper garment during the day and a reflective upper garment during the night. Military uniforms do not meet these standards. The outer garment shall be clearly visible and not covered
•During off-road operations, operators and riders must use additional PPE such as knee and shin guards and padded full-fingered gloves
It’s important to maintain a valid driver’s license issued by your state of residence. You also must successfully complete a motorcycle safety class sponsored by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) or an MSF-based motorcycle rider safety course.
What about you? Care to share any instances where proper equipment came in handy during your motorcycle ride – or would have, if you’d been wearing it?
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