CHECKING THE WAKE Safety E-Newsletter April 2012
Volume 4, Number 6
HAPPY SPRING
WHY ARE WE MORE DISTRACTED WHILE DRIVING? by Teresa S. Boucher Did you know that the human powers of concentration are strong enough for us not to notice something right in front of us? This is called ‘inattentional blindness’. With all the distractions in today’s world, [smartphones, ipads, GPS, etc.] while driving - there’s too much information coming at us at one time. In any scenario, there is so much visual stuff and auditory stuff and tactile stuff that our brains cannot process it all at the same time. So there’s a need to select! While the brain may have billions of neurons, it is still not enough to account for every bit of sensory information streaming in from our eyes, ears, nose, palate and skin. So the brain has to marshal ‘phenomenal’ yet ‘finite’ resources to sift through the sensory overload to take note of what we ‘most’ need to know! Is it any wonder that while you are trying to drive, and may also be checking your phone, looking at your gps, talking to the passenger beside you or eating while driving that you have an accident? Below are some of the increased risk you assume when doing some of these activities.
“We have this relentless avalanche of information that is coming our way, and we cannot begin to sift through it.”
Behavior Increased Risk Reaching for a moving object 9 times Driving drowsy 4 times Looking at an external object 4 times Reading 3 times Dialing a phone 3 times Personal grooming 3 times Talking on hand-held phone
1 times Ref: John Hopkins Magazine – P.M. Forni
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MOTORCYCLE CHECKLIST Many seasonal riders are just getting their bikes back in shape for the road. Remember the acronym TCLOCS when inspecting your bike…..and pay particular attention to ensuring these parts are clean and in working order.
TCLOCS
®MSF
Tires and Wheels Controls Lights Oil Chasis Side Stand UNCLASS
Check that motorcycle before heading out!
NSC 42D 03/13/09
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REQUIRED MOTORCYCLE PPE In accordance with OPNAVINST 5100.12H, the following personal protective equipment is mandatory before riding your motorcycle.
Required Motorcycle PPE • DOT/Snell Helmet • Eye protection (wrap safety glasses OK) • Sturdy over-the-ankle footwear • Long sleeve top • Long pants • Full finger gloves • Reflective outer upper garment or vest: Sundown to sunrise • Motorcycle specific jacket and pants are “highly recommended” UNCLASS
NSC 42D 03/13/09
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Last month, I gave you information on how to prepare your vehicle for the summer. [Summer is coming. Get that vehicle ready!] article. This month, I am including a listing of the NDW Auto Skills Shops for your information and use. For more information on what’s available at each shop, give the POC listed below a call. NDW Auto Skills Shops NSA Annapolis : 410-293-3859 POC Mile Butler NSF Dahlgren : 540-653-4900 POC : John Allwine NSF Indian Head : 301-744-6314 POC : Larry Shanks JB Anacostia-Bolling : 202-767-4571 POC : Wain Mitcheltree NAS Patuxent River : 301-342-3507 POC : Allen Shubrooks NSA Washington (Navy Yard) – N/A Bethesda NNMC : N/A
SIGNING UP FOR NDW MOTORCYCLE SAFETY TRAINING CLASSES This year marks the 3-year Anniversary since the mass push towards motorcycle safety training. Classes will fill early so you need to register NOW and be sure to attend your scheduled class since classes will be ‘fully populated’. NOTE: If you happen to end up on a ‘stand-by list’, I suggest you plan on attending that class. Over the past two years, only 1 ‘stand-by’ person has been turned away because the class was actually full on the training date.
Dan Moore – Lead Instructor NDW Motorcycle Safety (301) 751-3199
To sign up for motorcycle operator safety training classes you must log onto http://navymotorcyclerider.com/ Once on this site, select the region “Naval District Washington”; then follow the simple step by step instructions using the associated program “pull downs” for answer selections. Then select the motorcycle course type and date which meets your desired or available training time. I’ve listed some upcoming courses here: COURSE
LOCATION
DATE
BRC BRC BRC BRC BRC BRC BRC-2
DAHLGREN DAHLGREN DAHLGREN DAHLGREN DAHLGREN DAHLGREN DAHLGREN
4/02 4/16 4/16 4/30 5/14 6/04 4/06
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CONTACT INFORMATION: Deputy to Regional Safety Program Director/Traffic Safety Program Mgr. (410) 293-9827 teresa.boucher@navy.mil
BRC-2 BRC-2 MSRC MSRC BRC BRC BRC-2 BRC-2 MSRC MSRC BRC BRC BRC-2 MSRC MSRC
DAHLGREN DAHLGREN DAHLGREN DAHLGREN ANDREWS ANDREWS ANDREWS ANDREWS ANDREWS ANDREWS FT MEADE FT MEADE FT MEADE FT MEADE FT MEADE
5/04 6/08 4/05 5/03 4/23 5/21 4/25 5/23 4/26 5/24 4/23 5/21 4/26 4/25 5/23
FOR FURHTER QUESTIONS/INFORMATION RE: MOTORCYCLE SAFETY COURSES CONTACT: MR. DAN MOORE (LEAD INSTRUCTOR) (301) 751-3199.
We’re on the Web—go to: https://www.hgwllc.com/ESAMS_GEN_2/Logi nESAMS.asp and click the Checking the Wake link on the front page.
“If we all work together, we can keep ourselves and our loved ones safe to enjoy another tomorrow”
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