BEALE AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. –
Maj. Gen. Wendell Griffin, Air Force chief of safety, announced that the Air Force is taking the lead in the first ever joint service Fall Safety Campaign which began Sept. 2 and ends Nov. 30. This campaign bridges the gap between the end of the 101 Critical Days of Summer and the Winter Safety Campaign.
Statistics prove that the leading cause of death (non-combat related) to warriors in all branches of the service is fatal vehicle mishaps, including motorcycles and automobiles. A review of the numbers over the past three years for the months of September through November reveal a significant increase in vehicle related fatalities, a 29 percent higher rate than during the 101 Critical Days of Summer. The target audience continues to be the young warriors under age 26, who are at the greatest risk.
During my time here, we have lost five unit members to driving fatalities that I am aware of, all motor vehicle related.
· One motorcyclist, not wearing a helmet, test riding the bike after minor maintenance
· One, driving home from work, was t-boned by a driver who ran a red light
· One was a passenger in a vehicle driven by a friend, who was driving under the influence
· One was TDY to Southern Command, a passenger in a van, off duty, off base, after hours
· And perhaps the most tragic, one was driving a moving van, moving into the local area after joining the unit and his family following in another vehicle witnessed the accident.
Every one of you is important, important to your families, to the wing and the mission! Every loss leaves someone behind to pick up the pieces and try to carry on. Please don't leave your loved ones behind to pick up the pieces and don't be a statistic.
Take that extra minute to clear an intersection - look twice--live once. Don't drive if you have been drinking, and if you plan to drink have a designated driver. Pay attention to your speed, don't tailgate and follow the traffic laws, they keep us all safe.
Stomp on your impatience, instead of the gas pedal, don't pass needlessly, and certainly not illegally. I've been passed on the double yellow lines on Interstate 65 more times than I can count. Only use your cell phone when absolutely necessary, and remember hands free use only, it is the law.
Be a good Wingman to those who practice risky driving behaviors. If you see it, talk to them, you owe it to them to be honest and let them know they are important.
Finally, ask yourself after your commute to and from Beale: "How was my driving today? Was I a good Wingman to those I shared the road with?" If the thought crosses your mind, maybe I shouldn't do that, then please don't. Keep that good driving edge whenever you drive, wherever you go.
We're already a month into the Fall Safety Campaign, and as a wing, we're doing well. But Halloween and Thanksgiving are just around the corner, two challenging holidays for safety. Let's stay focused, stay aware, and always be safe.