Sailors, Marines Encouraged to Reassess Safety During "Last" Weekend of Summer

8/29/2007 -- NORFOLK (NNS) -- Labor Day weekend is the unofficial end of summer, when families take one last trip to the beach or throw a final backyard pool party before the kids head back to school and the weather starts to turn colder.

Unfortunately, it’s also a time when statistics show Sailors and Marines are more likely to be involved in personal motor vehicle and recreational mishaps. While the long weekend provides a great opportunity to relax and have some fun, the Naval Safety Center reminds Sailors and Marines that this is no time to forget the principles of operational risk management.

“I encourage all of my shipmates to enjoy the long weekend, but not to let their guard down and become a holiday statistic,” said Rear Adm. Arthur Johnson, Commander, Naval Safety Center. “We need the entire team to return to duty when the weekend is over.”

Sailors and Marines have an added incentive to take it easy behind the wheel. Many states participate in law enforcement campaigns such as Operation Strike Force. This multi-state crack down on driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol will be in full-swing Labor Day weekend with various checkpoints along highways. This is also the last official weekend of the Click it or Ticket Campaign, which enforces seatbelt usage.

“During long weekends, these campaigns are heavily enforced,” said John Williams, a traffic, recreational and off-duty safety specialist at the Naval Safety Center. “If they catch you, you’re going to get a ticket. If you get caught at a DUI checkpoint, you’re one of the lucky ones because you didn’t get into an accident and kill yourself or someone else.”

While Johnson said enforcement campaigns such as these are important, he believes Sailors and Marines have a better reason to follow the rules.

“Honor has been described as doing the right thing when no one is watching,” he said. “We shouldn’t need law enforcement checkpoints to make us stop drinking and driving, or to make us wear our seatbelts. We should do it because our families, shipmates, and fellow Marines depend upon us and pay a heavy price when we don’t buckle up or choose to drive while intoxicated. Do the honorable thing.”

More information on traffic and recreational safety can be found on the Naval Safety Center’s Web site at http://safetycenter.navy.mil/seasonal/criticaldays.

Source: Navy

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