Tips to Manage Risk During Columbus Day Weekend

NORFOLK (NNS) -- The Naval Safety Center urged Sailors and Marines to have fun but remain vigilant during the Columbus Day holiday.

"While many don't consider Columbus Day to be a major holiday, any long weekend presents the opportunity for risk should we plan to travel significant distances or engage in activities that are new to us or that we may not have participated in for a while," said Rear Adm. Brian C. Prindle, commander, Naval Safety Center.

The best way for leaders to determine if their Sailors and Marines are prepared for a successful weekend is to be involved, he said.

"Before liberty commences Friday, talk to your shipmates. Find out what they have planned and be prepared to make some helpful suggestions to help them have a safe and enjoyable weekend," Prindle said.

One of the most common risks Sailors and Marines face during a holiday weekend - or anytime - is driving a motor vehicle.

"Pretty much everyone drives a car, where the temptation to be distracted can be significant," Prindle said. "Turn your cell phone off or put it away so you won't be tempted to check your email or texts while driving. The risk of an accident goes up 23 times if you text while driving."

He also noted that most traffic fatalities occur between midnight and four a.m., and he encouraged Sailors, Marines and their family members to plan their trips so they can arrive earlier in the evening.

Aside from four-wheeled vehicles, motorcycles are also a concern, especially sportbikes which are designed for speed and have different handling characteristics than traditional cruiser-style motorcycles. The Military Sportbike Rider Course (MSRC), a follow-on class for sportbike riders after the Basic Rider Course, is a requirement for all who ride these types of motorcycles.

Prindle said that of the 12 sportbike riders who were killed in fiscal year 2011, nine had not completed both courses. He said the course is a proven tool for sportbike riders, and the total number of motorcycle fatalities have dropped substantially since the MSRC was developed and became mandatory in 2008.

As the fleet heads into the first holiday of the fall season, Prindle said he hopes to build upon previous successes.

"Last year there were no fatalities during Columbus Day weekend. This is a solid achievement and one we can build upon by doing our best to ensure that trend continues and injuries are also reduced," he said. "Every death or injury is more than just a statistic on a chart. It is a shipmate, and we owe it to them, to ourselves, and to the nation we serve to look out for one another."


For more news from Naval Safety Center, visit www.navy.mil/local/nsc/.