Rules of the road

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Cortney Paxton
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Team Malmstrom members have had a small taste of summer in the past couple of weeks enjoying blue skies, a warm sun and temperatures near 70 degrees. And with these warmer temperatures, Airmen have started pulling their motorcycles, bicycles, skateboards, scooters and other modes of transportation out of the garage and onto the streets and sidewalks of Malmstrom Air Force Base.

While enjoying the spring weather in any of these vehicles, it's important for Airmen to understand and plan for the risks associated with them.

"Traffic safety is very important," said Tech. Sgt. Brandon Sutliff, 341st Missile Wing ground safety NCO in charge. "Most people don't realize that, for active duty members, traffic-related mishaps are the number one cause of missed days and deaths in the Air Force. At the end of the day, the majority of very bad injuries - what we're talking about is situations where people are getting disabilities or even death - are traffic-related. The matter of the fact is, as human beings, we weren't intended to move 65 miles per hour, let alone in a 3,000-pound vehicle, so when things go awry, it's usually pretty bad."

Motorized vehicles

There are a few things to remember when operating an enclosed vehicle. According to AFI 91-207, The U.S. Air Force Traffic Safety Program, anyone in a vehicle on an Air Force installation is required to wear a safety belt - this includes the driver as well as all passengers.

Addressing the use of booster seats, the instruction states that, "If there is no state, territory or host-nation law, children under 4 years of age, regardless of weight, or less than 50 pounds regardless of age shall be properly secured in an appropriate child-restraint system. Children ages 4 through 7, weighing 50 pounds or more and less than 4 feet 9 inches [tall] shall be properly secured in a booster seat or other appropriate child restraint system. Children ages 8 and above and no less than 4 feet 9 inches in height will be properly secured in a vehicle seat belt or booster seat. The child safety seat or booster seat will be certified by the manufacturer to meet all applicable Federal performance standards or host-nation requirements and will be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions."

Individuals must also understand that talking on a mobile device or texting while operating a vehicle is strictly prohibited on the installation as well as in various cities in Montana, including Great Falls, Billings, Butte, Helena, Missoula (prohibits just texting) and Whitefish.

"Specifically, here on Malmstrom, we see a lot of individuals on their cellphones both for talking and for texting," Sutliff said. "It's perfectly fine if you pull off to the side of the road and get out of the way of traffic to go ahead and talk on the phone, but the vehicle has to be stopped. AFI 91-207 specifically states that they discourage the use of hands-free devices, but they are allowed. Using a hands-free device is safer than texting or actually using the phone and having one of your hands off of the wheel, but... even with the hands-free devices, it's not quite as safe as just not using the device at all."

Malmstrom has approximately 300 motorcycle riders who have all started to dust off their bikes. Although jumping on a motorcycle and cruising down the streets of Montana may be an enjoyable pastime, these individuals are encouraged to take another look at their personal protective equipment, or PPE, and ensure it meets all standards set by AFI 91-207.

According to the instruction, paragraph 3.5.4, motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle and three-wheeled vehicle riders must wear a properly fastened helmet that meets current Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 218 (Department of Transportation), United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Standard 22.05, British Standard 6658 or Snell Standard M2005 or higher. They must also wear eye protection, protective clothing - including a long-sleeved shirt or jacket, long trousers and full-fingered gloves or mittens - and sturdy, over-the-ankle footwear. Riders are encouraged to select PPE that incorporates fluorescent colors and retro-reflective material. This PPE is required for individuals on these vehicles at all times - both on and off duty. Also, individuals operating government-owned motorcycles and ATVs off-road must wear knee pads, shin guards and padded full-fingered gloves.

Proper PPE can help prevent or lessen injuries that could be sustained during an accident; however, being properly trained to operate a motorcycle may also help prevent accidents. According to the instruction, all personnel riding motorcycles must have a motorcycle endorsement on their license to operate a motorcycle.

"For personnel completing the course for motorcycle endorsement on their driver's license, they must complete the Motorcycle Safety Foundation Basic Riders Course," Sutliff said. "This is a two-day course, which is both in a classroom and on the motorcycle range (learning techniques on the bikes provided by a contractor). At the end of the course, members receive a certificate that allows them to get the motorcycle endorsement on their license. This is required for military members, regardless if they ride on- or off-duty, on- or off-base. Riders will then receive 'intermediate' training within 60 to 365 days after BRC. Riders can take either the Experienced Riders Course (known as BRC-2) or the Advanced Riders Course. These are one-day courses. After that, refresher training is to be completed every five years via the BRC-2 or ARC."


Members of Team Malmstrom that ride motorcycles are required to keep their MSF training card on their person, as 341st Security Forces Squadron personnel will check for their cards upon entry to the base.


Foot traffic and Human-powered vehicles

As part of their duty to be "fit to fight," Airmen may practice physical training several times a week, and with the warmer temperatures, they may be taking to the roadways and sidewalks more often. Individuals who ride a bicycle, run, jog or walk outdoors may not do so on roadways during peak traffic periods. Also, the use of headphones while on a roadway using these modes of transportation is prohibited at all times. Those operating a bicycle are also required to wear an approved and properly fastened helmet.

Individuals operating a bicycle at night must ensure it is equipped with a white, front light visible for 500 feet and a red reflector or light clearly visible from the rear for 300 feet.

While bicycles and outdoor jogging or walking are popular ways to get from point A to point B, other non-motorized modes of transportation may also be used around base. According to AFI 91-207, paragraph 3.6.5 Non-Motorized Transportation Devices, "Operators of these devices, including but not limited to skateboards, kick-scooters, roller skates, in-line skates and other similar equipment not meeting DOT motor vehicle standards are prohibited on installation roadways except for incidental road access associated with pedestrians and will comply with all pedestrian-related traffic laws."

Also, while using these non-motorized vehicles, individuals must wear an approved helmet and may not use portable headphones, earphones, cellphones, iPods or other listening and entertainment devices (other than hearing aids) on roadways.

For all modes of transportation (except enclosed vehicles), individuals are required to wear clothing or accessories that contain retro-reflective properties visible from the front and back during hours of darkness and in inclement weather.

The above are requirements for traffic safety as outlined by the U.S. Air Force; however, there are various other steps individuals can take to prevent an accident while operating any of the vehicles mentioned above. Team Malmstrom members are encouraged to plan for any time spent in a mode of transportation, use proper risk management techniques and maintain constant vigilance.

"When you're on or off-duty, use good intuition - use common sense at the end of the day," Sutliff said. "The matter of the fact is, even if it is a one in a million, it only takes that one time for [something] to cause a very serious injury or to be fatal."