If you're a regular reader of Safety Gram's Monthly
Mishap narratives, you may have noted the frequent and alarming occurrence of
injuries and deaths as a result of motorcycle riding appear monthly in the
Safety Division’s Safety Gram. On many occasions, these hazards are due to
negligence by other drivers who may not have been safe or observant of their
own accord. However, many others are entirely preventable with appropriate
training, sufficient personal protective equipment and experience with safe
riding practices.
To combat these mishaps, the Safety Division gathered a
number of motorcycle safety experts from across the Marine Corps to develop a
comprehensive riding curriculum for installations and negate potential
accidents from the start. Representatives from Safety Division, Marine Corps
Installation Command, Marine Corps Installations West, Marine Corps Air Ground
Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California; MCI East, Hawaii, and Marine Corps
Base Quantico convened to construct the early framework for the new Riders
Essential Skills Training.
With a focus on the beginning rider, the REST will
challenge participants to master proper braking and cornering techniques at
realistic speeds. The course is intended to function as an independent source
for Marines to gain the skills required to function as safe, competent riders.
During this gathering, the representatives from each
installation provided insight as to the resources presently available,
indicated how they can maximize those resources, and where they require
additional support to accomplish the mission of mishap-free riding.
The assembled team began drafting the requisite
information to convey through the classroom portion of the REST, and also
identified potential course layouts and exercises to maximize a rider's
participation in the course. While REST is intended to help riders avoid
accidents after having completed the course, the working group placed a great
deal of emphasis on making the actual training as safe as possible, as well.
Some of the topics and areas of focus included:
• Tire contact and traction
• Cornering
• Braking
• Hazard avoidance
• PPE
• Infrastructure and space required for riding course
• Instructor requirements
The primary purpose of the REST eliminate motorcycle
crashes by embedding strong capabilities in regard to riding fundamentals. If a
rider is proficient in even the most basic skills, such as braking effectively
and negotiating a curve properly, the chance of an accident is decreased
exponentially. Many beginning riders drastically underestimate the capabilities
and limitations of a motorcycle, and consequently pay the price for that
negligence.
As the Marine Corps' most valuable resource, Marines need
to be safe and knowledgeable in everything they do. Consequently, the Safety
Division will continue to seek to develop the REST and hope to present a safe,
educational, and beneficial program in the near future.