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Wearing protection is only part of the safety plan

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Carolyn Viss
  • Public Affairs
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii --  A hundred class "M" license holders, from 13-month veterans of the saddle to 13-year seasoned riders, had the chance to finesse their techniques during an Advanced Motorcycle Safety course here Sept. 15 and 16, 2010.
 
This optional upgrade from the required Motorcycle Safety Foundations class all service members must complete before they are legal to ride would ordinarily cost about $300; however, this course, open to all military riders on Oahu, was funded by the Pacific Air Forces and hosted by 15th Wing safety office.

"It's a chance for riders to push themselves in a safe environment," said Staff Sgt. Scott Yonushonis, 15the WG safety and a rider of 10 years.

With a team of expert instructors from the California Superbike School watching closely, the riders were required to navigate a course while maintaining realistic road speeds, learning to lean and turn as they would have to in traffic or on the highway.

"This is excellent," said Chief Petty Officer Romel Cabel, a Coast Guard Cutter Rush electronics chief from the Big Island who's been riding for about 4 years. "It's definitely teaching me to ride better, control the motorcycle, and take turns more aggressively."

By the end of a class session, instructors see a huge improvement in riders' techniques, said Bill Maxwell, the Schofield Barracks safety manager who is provisionally trained by the California Superbike School and has been instructing various motorcycle courses for 22 out of his 32 years of riding experience.

During the 2010 calendar year, there have been 10 motorcycle mishaps Air Force-wide, according to Ronald Musa, 15th WG occupational safety specialist. None have been in PACAF; however, last year PACAF lost two Airmen in motorcycle accidents.

"Most likely, it's due to people overdriving their bikes and riding beyond their limits," Sergeant Yonushonis said.

He has personally lost two friends in motorcycle accidents, so, although he continues to ride, the safety specialist still takes extra precautions.

"You know there's a risk; but the best thing you can do is be well prepared and know your limits. You have to find the balance between controlling the hazard while still enjoying the motorcycle," he said.

Staff Sgt. Jeremy Nault, regional operations supervisor for the 17th Operational Weather Squadron, knows about bike accidents all too well. He's been in two, neither of which were his fault.

"The first time, a lady didn't see me and tried merging into traffic," Sergeant Nault testified. "She hit me going about 45 miles per hour."

He got "super lucky" and landed on a truck bed full of trash bags after catapulting several feet.

The second time he was hit, he was stopping at a yellow light and a lady trying to beat the light changed lanes quickly, clipping him and sending him flying a second time.

"I bounced off her roof and into the middle of the intersection, in the middle of oncoming traffic," Sergeant Nault said. "I was unconscious, but my buddy pulled me out of the road. He probably saved my life."

He was fortunate once more to walk away with only a dislocated shoulder.

"I learned other people don't always see you," he said.

Now, constantly alert to his surroundings, he wears more protective gear than what even the military requires. Dressed like a Power Ranger in a full body suit with hard plastic knees and elbows, his mode of operation on the bike is just to be as safe as he can - and always look for an escape route.

Still, most Soldiers crash not because of others but because they don't have the riding skills they need, said Maxwell, who trained 600 riders at Schofield last year.

And not everyone is as lucky as Sergeant Nault was. The death of a rider leaves a lasting scar on not only the family but also the entire unit.

"You can replace a body, but you can never replace the person," Sergeant Yonushonis said.