Jeff wrote on Aug 25, 2008 8:14 PM:Unfortunately given their age and training some marines may feel invincible and the roadways are not very forgiving, Please slow down and live! Your family and friends need you.

cb wrote on Aug 25, 2008 10:00 PM:The day I see a Marine riding a motorcycle safely is the day I'll eat my own socks.

whynot wrote on Aug 25, 2008 10:52 PM:Why not just suspend motorcycle privledges? The Marine Corps and DoD seems to be able to invade just about every other rights of service members. Before you run your lips, just know everything is controlled by the commanders. Freedom is fought for by those in uniform, but not realized until the uniform comes off!!! Wake up.

MJ wrote on Aug 26, 2008 12:52 AM:As a regular on Highway 78 rarely a day goes by that I do not see a service member flash by at well over 100 mph on a high powered racing bike - often weaving in and out of traffic. Were is the CHP? Part of the blame lies with manufacturers who sell grossly over powered machines for general use that should be limited to the race track.

Shirlock wrote on Aug 26, 2008 3:53 AM:There's just no way around it ... motorcycles are dangerous.

Biker wrote on Aug 26, 2008 6:34 AM:they come home from 3 tours of duty what do we expect with such easy financing on these little rockets...these guys feel like nothing can stop them after 3 years in iraq...my question is how many of these crashes are the result of the marines trying to run away from what they saw over there, using speed as the escape? casualties of war are not necessarily confined to the battlefield.

Lady wrote on Aug 26, 2008 6:39 AM:So sorry for ALL those "lost". The riders OF those motorcycles ARE crazy. I ride very,very careful,those riders are a danger to ALL.I see them flying up/down fwy 76 going up the mountain with no thought to others. I have seen them doing wheelie's going down college all the time. Scares me BIG time. Where are the motorcycles cops when you need them??

Enforcement wrote on Aug 26, 2008 7:28 AM:The answer to traffic accident problems is not just a 'Marine' problem. The problem is enforcement and the system is broken. Police are now spread so thin that you almost never see a cop unless they are at the accident. Time has come to create a traffice enforcement agency that is seperate from crime enforcement and have it supported by traffic fines. A private agency could do a better job.

BASE GODFATHER wrote on Aug 26, 2008 8:21 AM:Here at the base we trying to do ever think that we can, YES, there of us who driver our motorcycles as safety as we can, HOWEVER there are those who driver cars and truck who real don't look out for motorcyles. WHY because they are STILL TALKING ON THERE CELL PHONE OR DOING SOMETHING ELSE. I work on the base and I'm part of this Pendleton Motorcyle Fest we have been planning this even for three months, we trying to past the word to all motorcycle drivers to be safety and to ensure they ARE NOT another motorcycle fatality. So for all of you people who think that the military isn't trying to fix this problem I felt sorry for you, BUT we all can help each other by just being a little be more safe and look out for each other when we driver our vechiles. Beside DON'T forget the these Marines and Sailors are doing there job when they are overseas, they are looking out for you and your family so you can be safe here in the STATES.

Grammar Police wrote on Aug 26, 2008 10:00 AM:Dude, Jarhead learn some basic grammar. "we ARE trying to do everyTHING" it is DRIVE not "driver" SAFELY not "safety", REALLY not real. WHY is with a ? THEIR not "there" EVENT not "even", PASS not "past", SAFE not "safety" , FEEL not "felt"

Jim wrote on Aug 26, 2008 10:16 AM:I tried to read the post from BASE GODFATHER but couldn't understand most of it.
I hope he drives his motorcycle a lot better than he can spell, if not we're all in trouble

USMC GySgt wrote on Aug 26, 2008 10:17 AM:There's an old saying in the military "there's always one" which refers to the fact that in a large group there's always 'one' who doesn't have all the gear, is not squared away, or is late, etc.

In this case there's been more than 'one' who isn't following good motorcycle safety procedures that have been mandated by military commanders and are ruining it for the rest who do.

My advice for the Marine Corps is to assemble a database of license plates of all their motorcycle riders and put a program in place that is similar to the "how am I driving" stickers. Motorists can report those unsafe riders to the PMO (military police) and the commander can then be notified and suspend privileges of unsafe riders.

Word to those who ride like maniacs; end the shenanigans NOW or lose the privilege of riding a motorcycle.

Former Marine wrote on Aug 26, 2008 11:19 AM:Well said Gunny!

To all bike riders, please be safe and courteous to others on the road.

To all other drivers, please be courteous and cognizant of the bikers.

Be sensible wrote on Aug 26, 2008 1:17 PM:While I agree that many Marines may have been adversely impacted by being sent to Bush's War, there are far more bad riders out there that have no such excuse. Riders cutting in and out of traffic, "splitting lanes" in heavy slow traffic, etc are what I see more often that safe, careful riders. Unfortunately, "Enforcement" above is correct: there are just too few cops out there to enforce existing rules on bad riders (and drivers), so until they get the message and start riding more safely, they will continue to die.

Scott wrote on Aug 26, 2008 1:22 PM:This trend is going to continue. And not soley because people are riding dangerously. Due to high gas prices, there are more motorcycles on the road than ever. And when there are more motorcycles, there are more accidents involving motorcycles. Simple enough huh? Same would go for automobiles. The reality is that with high gas prices, and the fact that not everyone can fork over $25K for a new fancy pants hibrid, you will continue to see more and more motorcycles on the road. This is where the auto drivers need to step up there efforts to be cautious. And in a perfect world, entry level motorcyclists would take safety courses and buy the proper gear.

USMC GySgt wrote on Aug 26, 2008 1:24 PM:Former Marine; Semper Fidelis, brother!

You remember, sometimes you have to lay out the word, (or threaten) to get action. Maybe these Devildogs will police their own.

Bottom line is, with the high cost of vehicles and insurance, plus the gas to run them, motorcycles are a big option, especially for some of the cash-strapped junior Marines. And since they are usually young, they don't always use the best judgement, and oftentimes like to impress their buddies and drive like they're starring in 'The Fast and Furious.'

Semper Fi,
Out.

FMF Doc wrote on Aug 26, 2008 3:08 PM:A motorcycle is an object that without a rider, does nothing. Much like a weapon, it sits there until handled by a human.
I am not all knowing or claim to have the answers to anything, but I offer my observation that was touched on up further on the page...WHY do our young Marines & Sailors feel the need to do wheelies at 90 MPH? Or pass vehicles that are doing the speed limit??
Answer that and you will find the answer to the problem...Remember, even a Vespa can become dangerous with the right rider on it.

Rider wrote on Aug 26, 2008 4:04 PM:As a rider of many years I'll confirm that this isn't really a USMC problem, it's a young and dumb problem.

By the way non-riders, one way we stay safe is to ride *a little* faster than auto traffic in order to keep everything in front of us - we can't see too well behind us so having cars sneak up behind is far less safe than riding 10 mph faster than the cars.

I wonder..... wrote on Aug 26, 2008 7:47 PM:if they can get a total number of motorcycle operator fatalites in the County vs just the recent military fatalities, seems like Hwy. 76 gets better then average amount of accidents.
The curvy, long, country rides makes it atractive for lots of cyclists to head out for a ride to unwind, and many of them don't ride safely. Palomar Volunteer F.D. deals with downed riders all the time who don't respect the machines they are on, or the roads up the mountain on which they are often not prepared for.

Gunner wrote on Sep 5, 2008 9:26 AM:The combination of youth, a fistful of combat pay, and the prospect of another tour in Iraq are all factors here. If they had the statistics from the Vietnam era I bet that they would be similar. To curb the problem then we instituted an annual requirement to attend a week long Motorcycle Riders Safety course. No course = no sticker. And if you couldn't get off work to attend the course...riding a motorcycle became a problem. It's not fair but neither is life.