Critical Days of Summer: Watch for increased two-wheel traffic Published July 15, 2011 By Airman 1st Class Sean Johnson 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- Finally, summer weather seems to be here. After a brutal winter and seemingly unending wet spring, Malmstrom AFB members can break out the shorts and flip flops, load up the sport utility vehicle and take to the roads. Any hard-working member of Air Force Global Strike Command would assemble a mental checklist before heading out either to the store or to the mountains; most would have it be pretty thorough. Locating the keys, isolating the wallet and checking the family ride is almost pure muscle memory by now. Fortunately, habits like those developed at work bleed over into our off-duty time. Or else, getting to the grocery store safely would be near impossible. Understanding how situational awareness gets one from point A to point B safely is a necessity. Equally as important to that is knowing how vital situational awareness is to keeping those sharing the road safe as well. This year has been proclaimed "Year of Motorcycle Safety" according to Air Force leadership. With decrees like this, commanders and supervisors have been vigilant in providing safety briefings to motorcycle riders and access to motorcycle riding classes available - through 341st Missile Wing Safety. With all the literature indoctrinating the motorcycle riders within Team Malmstrom, it's necessary to not miss out on the opportunity to touch on the responsibilities of the operators of four-wheeled vehicles. Understanding how many more motorcycles, scooters and mopeds will be out on the roads, this time of the year, is crucial. According to the National Transportation Safety Bureau, a motorcyclist is 16 times more likely to die in a crash than any occupant within a motor vehicle. Having this fact in the back of the mind, the last thing any Air Force member wants to do is cause the injury or death of anyone riding a motorcycle. These tips are a reminder of how to maintain situational awareness and keep others safe from the dangers of riding. While out on the road, be aware of what's going on around the vehicle; keep the eyes moving. Notice what is happening on the sides of the road and check behind the vehicle through the mirrors every 6 to 8 seconds Expect other drivers to make mistakes and think what would happen if a mistake does happen. For example, do not assume that a vehicle coming to a stop sign is going to stop; be ready to react if it does not stop. When a light turns green, look left, then right, straight ahead and left again before proceeding through the light. Notice all vehicles and ensure that another vehicle is not going to run the light. When stopping at a stop sign, spell S-T-O-P before proceeding to have enough time to judge the situation. Always look left, then right, straight ahead and left again before proceeding. Always use turn signals and remember to drive with headlights on. A car is visible nearly four times the distance with its headlights on. When following a motorcycle, scooter or moped, remember that the smaller the vehicle, the quicker it can stop. Give twice as much space when following. Remember as speed increases, so does the braking distance. If speed is doubled, braking distance is quadrupled. If the weight of the vehicle is doubled, double the stopping distance. Stay safe this summer while on the road; the life saved could be a wingman's.