Air Force experiences record breaking vehicle safety results

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LITTLE ROCK AFB, Ark. --  During the Thanksgiving-to-New Year's time frame, the Air Force broke historical trends with the lowest number of personal motor vehicle fatalities with only one and the lowest number of PMV-4 (car) fatalities with zero. It was also the first time in 13 years that the Air Force didn't have a single active-duty death due to any type of safety mishap during the Christmas-to-New Year's time frame. The Air force has averaged more than six fatalities in the past 23 years to PMV mishaps during the same time frame.

Commanders and safety professionals from the units to the wings to the major commands have contributed greatly to the best holiday on record for the Air Force. Maj. Gen. Fred Roggero, the Air Force chief of safety, issued a note stating, "Please accept my congratulations for a job well done during this typically hazardous time of year! I can think of no better proof that we do not have to accept the status quo and actually can make a difference."

"Our Airmen are taking the secretary's and chief of staff's memo on reckless behavior to heart", said Col. Roberto Guerrero, Air Force Safety Center chief of ground safety. "The lone Airman fatality over this holiday season was not at fault - he was struck by a non-Air Force drunk driver." The memo emphasized PMV safety and noted that all Airmen must understand that failure to take personal responsibility will result in their being held accountable for their actions. Violations of Air Force Instruction 91-207 are punishable under Uniform Code of Military Justice and may also be considered misconduct during line-of-duty determinations.

"Airmen have to be aware of the risk they assume while off duty, mitigate that risk, and not take on anymore than their fellow Airmen, or their families, can handle," said General Roggero. "Every wingman is accountable for their actions, and shouldn't make friends and family pay for their poor judgment."

In an ongoing effort to increase the effectiveness of communication of the safety message, an Airmen-to-Airmen Safety Advisory Council has been formed. This focus group of Airmen under the age of 26 is providing top-notch information and sobering feedback on efforts to reach young Airmen, the service's greatest "at-risk" demographic.

According the Lt. Col. Jon Julian, 19th Airlift Wing chief of safety, the Air Force has lost too many Airmen to preventable mishaps, but the PMV mishap results from this holiday season represent a good trend. "Do your part to keep the trend going in the right direction. As an Airman, supervisor or wingman you play a critical role in saving lives and preserving C-130 combat airlift capability," he said.

(Courtesy of the 19th Airlift Wing Safety Office)