Slow down and think

ARMY lost two of its soldiers killed on the roads in November. Lt Stewart Smith died in a motorcycle accident in Sydney and Cfn Anthony Hansen died in a motorcycle accident in Darwin.

CA Lt-Gen Peter Leahy said road accidents cost the Army soldiers’ lives every year.

“People are our most important capability and I urge you to pay particular attention over the holiday period to ensure you drive safely, and arrive alive,” Lt-Gen Leahy said.

“The Army, your family and friends need you.”

Great efforts are made to apply Force Protection measures in the field, these efforts should equally apply in barracks or off-duty.

These incidents are not isolated and the table here show that 59 soldiers were killed on the roads between 1996 and 2001. This is over 10 times the number killed on operations during the same period. Army deaths were also significantly higher than Air Force or Navy, with the majority of deaths being off-duty.

Initial analysis by the Defence Safety management Agency indicates that the ADF fatality rate is significantly higher than the Australian average. Alcohol, speed and fatigue have been identified as the leading causal factors.

All of us have a responsibility to drive safely. This is not just to the Army but to our families and the community at large. But what is driving safely?

No pressure

Plan your trip and schedule an overnight break if it is longer than nine hours. If you do a long trip in a day you will be tempted to speed and take risks. Give yourself plenty of time to get where you are going. The aim is to get home and see your family, not to arrive in a pine box.

Don’t drink and drive

The road safety ads have got it right; if you drink and drive you’re an idiot. Breaking the law is one issue but being a danger to yourself, your mates and the public is the real issue.

If you’re going to have a big night, plan to sleep over or catch a cab. Prior preparation and planning prevents poor performance.

Limit risk

Keep your cool on the road. Don’t tail gate, don’t overtake around corners, or where you can’t see well ahead. Don’t party all night and then head off to do 1000km the next morning.

Manage your fatigue

All long road trips cause fatigue and sleepiness. You can manage this by stopping every two hours and having a break. Drink coffee or drinks containing caffeine to increase your levels of alertness.

Do not eat big meals, because you will always be more sleepy after a large meal. Pull over and take a nap if you feel your eyes getting heavy. Even a 30 minute nap can make a major difference to your level of alertness.

Remember, the aim of Christmas leave is to relax and enjoy being with your family and loved ones. Causing bereavement and distress to your family is not part of the festive season, neither is spending four weeks in intensive care.

This article has been provided by the Directorate of Occupational Health and Safety – Army.

Vehicle related fatalities by service

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