FORT BLISS, Texas - Officers from the El Paso Police Department provided safety classes during 402nd Field Artillery Brigade’s and 5th Armored Regiment’s safety stand-down day Sept. 27 at the Stout Track and Field Complex.
The police officers coordinated with senior leaders of the 402nd and gave classes to soldiers that covered traffic safety, traffic laws, motorcycle safety and advice on joining motorcycle clubs.
“With a motorcycle, you have to use the right hand for the front brake, the left hand for the clutch, the right foot for the rear brake and the left foot for shifting, all this while concentrating on the road ahead of you and preparing for the unexpected, in case it comes at you,” said Master Peace Officer Buddy Daniels, a traffic officer for the El Paso Police Department.
“Never mind the fact that people do not look for motorcycles because they are so used to looking for a car. They will look straight at you and then pull out in front of you and swear that they never saw you,” he said.
In addition to traffic and motorcycle safety classes, the police officers and soldier instructors gave all-terrain-vehicle safety classes.
“The information provided in reference to the all-terrain vehicle [ATV] safety was significant,” said Lt. Col. Kenneth E. Jones, 2nd Battalion, 362nd Field Artillery Regiment. “The instructor [Sgt. 1st Class Vicente Pantoja, 3rd Battalion, 410th Regiment] did an excellent job of highlighting the restrictions and limitations of the vehicle.
“Soldiers can purchase and legally ride these vehicles without a license or any safety training. Sgt. 1st Class Pantoja recommended soldiers interested in purchasing an ATV sign up for the free safety training being offered by some of the local ATV dealers,” said Lt. Col. Jones.
Daniels noted having had many memorable experiences with soldiers during his 18 years as a police officer.
“The good ones that come to mind are the soldiers that stop and assist with accidents or incidents that they come across. I cannot tell you the amount of times that I have arrived at an accident to find soldiers that have stopped and rendered first aid until help arrives. That in itself attests to the type of men and women that are in the military, for the most part,” said Daniels.
For more information about free ATV training, visit Off-Road Adventures’ website at www.rentanatv.com.