Programs Helping Keep Military Motorcyclists Safe

OFF THE WIRE
http://www.10news.com/news/25700334/detail.html Programs Helping Keep Military Motorcyclists Safe
November 2010 UPDATED: 11:31 pm PST
SAN DIEGO -- A member of the U.S. military said active duty troops are risking their lives and the safety of others for no good reason, but that the risk has nothing to do with a battlefield.
The active duty member, who did not want to be identified, told 10News his military colleagues execute dangerous stunts and maneuvers on San Diego highways while riding their motorcycles.
"Do you see stuff that literally could cost somebody their life?" asked 10News' Mitch Blacher.
"Yes," the source said. "I can't even imagine what would happen if they hit somebody or somebody hits them."
10News found a larger percentage of the military than the general public rides motorcycles. According to numbers obtained by 10News, 9.5 percent of the Navy rides, while 1.2 percent of the general public rides motorcycles.
All military branches require troops who ride motorcycles to be trained.
Steve Martin, an 18-year Navy veteran in charge of motorcycle training for the Navy and Marine Corps in San Diego, said, "I'd like to think the average military member is a more responsible rider than a civilian rider out there. Everybody likes to think the military members are more reckless because of being adrenaline junkies. I think they're safer riders because they know what could happen to them out there."
Since the training started, motorcycle fatalities in the military have dropped. In 2008, the Navy lost 33 people to motorcycle accidents. Last year, 14 died. The Marines saw 25 killed in 2008 and 14 in 2009.
10News' source said if lane splitting were outlawed those numbers would drop even more.
"If it was discouraged it would make a big difference," the source said.
So far in 2010, there haven't been any motorcycle related deaths from the military based in San Diego