Photo By Laurie Pearson | Pets, kids, vehicle condition, and weather forecasts, all play a role in keeping you...... read more read more
During the holiday season, the number of travelers around the country peaks, as friends and family come together to celebrate, which increases risks for Marine Corps Logistics Base Barstow’s personnel and families.
The American Safety Council lists Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years’ Eve as three of the top six most dangerous holidays to be on the road.
“According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, between 2013 and 2017, more than 800 people died in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes during the Thanksgiving holiday period (6 p.m. Wednesday to 5:59 a.m. Monday), making it one of the deadliest holidays on our roads,” said Brian Korves, safety specialist aboard MCLB Barstow.
The NHTSA further indicates that 10,874 people were killed in 2017 in motor vehicle traffic crashes in which a driver had a blood alcohol concentration over the legal limit of .08 grams per deciliter.
“During the month of December 2017, 885 people lost their lives in traffic crashes involving a drunk driver,” Korves said.
“Over 40 percent of all fatal accidents happen during the holiday season, and the reason for most of those accidents is weather and alcohol-related,” said Lt. Robert A, Johnson II, Traffic Collision Investigations Division Chief and Field Training Coordinator with the Marine Corps Police Department.
“It is important to understand, however, that drowsy driving is as dangerous as drunk driving, in my opinion,” said Col. Craig C. Clemans, base commanding officer. “In 1992, my roommate fell asleep at the wheel, while on leave in Utah. It cost him his life. It’s incredibly dangerous and as everyone pushes to get to their destination during the holidays, caffeinated beverages such as Monsters and Mountain Dews are not the answer to stay awake and alert behind the wheel. Planning and execution will prevent you from the dangers of driving while drowsy.”
If flying, travelers can expect the busiest travel day for Thanksgiving to be the Wednesday before the holiday, and the best to be the Monday before.
“This is based on the cost of travel, like the cost of airfare, and on the numbers of people expected to be traveling,” Johnson said. “Of course, when you have bigger crowds, you can also anticipate the potential for increased criminal activity.”
For Christmas, the busiest air travel day is typically the weekend before, and the least expensive for air fare is Christmas Eve and Christmas day, Johnson explained.
Whether traveling by car or by air, or other modes of transportation, a few things should be taken into consideration, such as weather and increased numbers of people along the travel route and the destination.
“Weather for Thanksgiving week in the greater Los Angeles area is supposed to be clear, sunny and in the mid-60s, with no major storms, next week,” Johnson said. “However, for other parts of the country, we advise everyone to check the forecast for where ever you’re traveling to and from before you begin your trip, then allot enough time for extra traffic, extra people and potentially inclement weather.”
Although you may have it all together for your holiday travel plans, it is important to keep an eye out for others who may be in a rush to get to their destinations, or may be impaired.
“There are a lot more parties this time of year, so we can anticipate that more people will be drinking at those parties and then potentially getting on the road,” Johnson said. “Stay alert, stay sober and keep you and your families safe this holiday season.”
Before getting on the road, there are a series of things to check in order to help ensure safety. One of those is a proper emergency preparedness kit.
“Be sure you have a well-stocked emergency kit in your vehicle to include plenty of water, blankets, jumper cables or jump box, flashlights with batteries, road flares, a back-up cellphone battery or external portable charger, food, medications and a first aid kit,” Johnson advised. “If you’re traveling with pets, you need to increase the amount of water, of course, and have extra pet food with you in case your trip is delayed.”
Another concern about pets is if they’re allowed to move freely around the vehicle.
“This can distract divers and pose a potential hazard if you need to make an unexpected and sudden stop or turn,” Johnson said. “Also, people may stop on the side of the roadway to let the animals go to the restroom instead of using appropriate rest areas and off-ramps. Be watchful, and if possible, slow down and move to the left, if you can do so without impeded other traffic.”
Although rest areas are indeed intended for the convenience of travelers, be alert if stopping at a rest area. Increased traffic could increase the possibility of criminal activity.
“Use the buddy system, even at rest areas,” Johnson suggested. “Be sure to check-in and out with people, too. Where ever you travel, or stop, along your route, check-in with family or friends so they know where you are at all times and can anticipate your arrival. This way, if something happens, they know where you were last stopped.”
One of the ways that the military helps to mitigate those concerns is by accountability.
“Marines are required to complete a TRiP's (Travel Risk Planning Systems) assessment before going on leave,” Korves said.
The link for the document, can be found on the Naval Safety Center main page:
https://www.public.navy.mil/NAVSAFECEN/Pages/shore/motor_vehicle/trips.aspx.
“They can print out their assessment and attach it to their leave form,” Korves explained.
The form lists various aspects of their planned travel, such as where the individuals or families are going, whom they’ll be visiting, contact information, and when they will return. They check-in upon departure and return so that everyone is accounted for and if someone doesn’t check in as appropriate, then the chain-of-command has some indication of where to begin looking for their people.
One final thing to remember before travel, is to do a full vehicle inspection.
“Check fluids such as coolant, oil, and transmission levels,” Johnson said. “Check to ensure that tire pressures are suitable for your travel location and that they’re in full functioning order. Check to see if you’ll need snow chains if traveling to colder climates or anywhere there may be a possibility of snow. Check windshield wipers to verify that they’re in good working order, as well as vehicle batteries.”
If, by chance, you get pulled over by law enforcement of any kind, remain calm and follow all instructions, keeping your hands on your steering wheel where they can be easily seen.
“Don’t argue with police,” Johnson said. “Just cooperate with them and follow their instructions. Don’t reach into glovebox or compartments until asked to reach for documents. If traveling with a weapon, declare to the officer immediately, with hands on the steering wheel, that you have a weapon in the vehicle and where it is located. Then continue to follow instructions.”
“Have a safe and happy holidays! See everyone in January!” Johnson said.
| Date Taken: | 11.26.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 11.26.2019 17:35 |
| Story ID: | 353610 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE BARSTOW, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 20 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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