Base reaffirms riding requirements

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Kelly Ogden
  • 1st SOW Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  Effective immediately, those failing to wear the proper personal protective equipment while operating a motorcycle will be denied base access.

"Motorcycle riders can wear a brightly colored jacket or a vest, either one is acceptable," said Tech. Sgt. Brian Bailey, 1st Special Operations Wing Safety Office.

According to the safety office, vehicular traffic is a big problem. Drivers don't look for motorcycles on the roadways, and cause accidents. Also, reflective belts don't provide enough luminance to properly view motorcyclists at night.

Motorcycle fatalities represent approximately five percent of all highway fatalities each year, yet motorcycles represent just two percent of all registered vehicles in the United States.

"As the weather warms more bikes are out there,and unfortunately, the chance of a mishap increases," Sergeant Bailey said. "Riders tend to think that their riding skills are the same as they were in the fall but a couple of months off makes all the difference."

For more information, contact your squadron safety monitor.