I was saddened to read the news last week of the tragic car crash of a local Sailor as he drove off base. Although toxicology reports aren’t back yet to determine whether alcohol was a factor, the Washington State Patrol has determined that excessive speed contributed to the wreck. Folks, losing a shipmate, friend, or family member is a tough thing. 

One death is too many. This isn’t about being perfect and it isn’t about a zero defect mentality.  Leaders and supervisors:  the people who work in your spaces aren’t numbers.

Your role needs to be up front in setting the example as well as extolling the virtues of safety while driving. Peers and family members:  you too need to set the example and also be advocates for safe driving practices.  In other words, all of us need to help each other stay safe on the roads, for our own sake and that of other drivers.

In a column in May I wrote about excessive drinking and driving, driving under the influence, and its costs.  The recent crash convinces me that its time to discuss it again, in part because we can control this issue.

That’s an important distinction. We can mitigate risk and prepare for things like hurricanes, but we can’t control their happening.  We can control how we drive; we have the choice to drive and operate other vehicles safely.

What things can you control? First, you can control your speed. Speed limits aren’t posted to frustrate you; they are developed in response to the engineering of the particular roads on which they’re posted.

Speed limits exist to keep you safe. The truth is that neither you nor I can drive like a NASCAR driver and the vehicles we drive aren’t designed to handle as if they’re Formula 1 vehicles.  Second, keep your car in good working order.

This sounds like a no-brainer, but have you checked the air in your tires (which, by the way, is the number ONE way to increase your gas mileage)? Checked the brakes?  Had a safety inspection performed on the vehicle? Other things to look at include coolant level, tire treads, and proper installation of child safety seats.

Third, wear your seatbelt and ensure your children and passengers wear them as well. Fourth, be conscious of road rage. In Washington State, road rage is illegal and incidents of it are ticketable offenses.

Don’t take anger from home or work with you behind the wheel and don’t let the actions of other drivers provoke you into unsafe driving.  Fifth, keep distractions to a minimum.  Cell phones, make up, eating, and drinking are all tasks that take your mind and eyes off the road. Finally, don’t drink and drive. Alcohol impairs your judgment and renders you an unsafe driver while putting other drivers at risk.

Let me also address motorcycle safety. I’ll stress that this column is not the place for a complete vehicle or motorcycle safety course, but I do want to get you into the mode of thinking safety and thinking safely. First, get motorcycle-specific training.

Not only is it a requirement in order to register and drive your motorcycle on base, it will also make you a safer motorcycle operator.  Second, personal protective equipment is a must and includes, at a minimum, wearing a helmet with eye protection, full-fingered gloves, a long sleeve shirt or thick jacket, and ankle covering footwear (preferably boots).  More is better and quality matters.

Third, ride defensively and maintain situational awareness. Keep focus on what’s happening around you.  Don’t presume that other drivers can see you. Don’t overestimate your abilities.

Finally, stay aware of road conditions. Is the road wet? Slick from fluids that leak from every vehicle? What has road construction done near where you’re riding?

Perhaps there are slippery sections where the road was patched. These are just a few things to think about, but think about them you must.  Motorcycles are fun and are a great form of transportation (with GREAT gas mileage) but must be ridden safely.

In short, be safe. I want you to come back to work and continue as part of the team. You matter too much to let a DUI, irresponsible driving, or unsafe practices in a vehicle or on a motorcycle take you away from the Navy Region Northwest family.