Commandants Says: Buckle Up!

ALCOAST 506/07
COMDTNOTE 5102
A. COMDTINST M5100.47, CH 10, I.2.D AND I.9.G
SUBJ: OFF-DUTY MOTOR VEHICLE MISHAPS
1. LAST NIGHT I RECEIVED ANOTHER CALL REPORTING THE DEATH OF A
COAST GUARD MEMBER IN A SINGLE CAR ACCIDENT. SINCE LABOR DAY, WE
HAVE LOST FIVE SHIPMATES IN OFF-DUTY MOTOR VEHICLE MISHAPS. IN THE
PAST FIVE YEARS, OUR FOLKS HAVE HAD ALMOST 800 OFF-DUTY CAR, TRUCK,
AND MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS. MOST WERE PREVENTABLE. THIS IS
UNACCEPTABLE. IT RUNS COUNTER TO OUR CHARACTER AS GUARDIANS, IS
DEVASTATING TO OUR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES, AND UNDERMINES OUR
TREMENDOUS OPERATIONAL SUCCESS.
2. WE MUST HEAR AND HEED THE VOICES OF THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN SILENCED
IN THESE ACCIDENTS - AND ACT. START BY KNOWING WHO YOUR AT-RISK
SHIPMATES ARE, AND HOW THEY SPEND THEIR OFF-DUTY TIME. LEAD BY
EXAMPLE, REGARDLESS OF RANK AND RATE AND FOSTER A CULTURE OF DOING
THE RIGHT THING. PLAN AHEAD TO AVOID UNNECESSARY AND DEADLY RISK,
AND HOLD SHIPMATES AND OURSELVES ACCOUNTABLE FOR OUR ACTIONS.
WATCH EACH OTHERS BACKS. BE A TEAM.
3. NOW IS THE TIME TO TURN THE TIDE AND START PUTTING SAFETY FIRST.
IN ADDITION TO THE TRAINING AND PPE REQUIREMENTS CONTAINED IN REF
A, I AM DIRECTING THE FOLLOWING POLICY CHANGES, INCLUDING EFFECTING
THESE GENERAL ORDERS: ALL MILITARY MEMBERS, INCLUDING RESERVISTS
IN AN ACTIVE STATUS INCLUDING IDT AND ADT, ARE ORDERED TO WEAR SEAT
BELTS WHEN AVAILABLE AND FUNCTIONING IN A MOVING CAR OR TRUCK,
WHETHER THEY ARE ON OR OFF-DUTY. ADDITIONALLY, EVERY MILITARY
MEMBER OPERATING OR RIDING AS A PASSENGER ON A MOTORCYCLE IS
ORDERED TO WEAR A CERTIFIED PROTECTIVE HELMET. THESE ORDERS APPLY
WHETHER THE MEMBER IS ON OR OFF-DUTY AND REGARDLESS OF ANY LESS
RESTRICTIVE REQUIREMENTS IN CIVIL JURISDICTIONS. FAILURE TO COMPLY
WITH THESE MANDATES MAY RESULT IN ADMINISTRATIVE AND/OR OTHER
ACTION UNDER THE UNIFORM CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE. COMMANDING
OFFICERS/OFFICERS-IN-CHARGE SHALL ENSURE THAT ALL MEMBERS IN THEIR
COMMAND ARE AWARE OF THESE ORDERS, AND SHALL HOLD THOSE WHO FAIL TO
FOLLOW THEM ACCOUNTABLE.
4. FOR PURPOSES OF LINE OF DUTY/MISCONDUCT DETERMINATIONS, FAILURE
TO TAKE PROPER VEHICULAR SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND TO COMPLY WITH
THESE ORDERS WILL BE CONSIDERED AS ONE OF POTENTIALLY SEVERAL
FACTORS DURING LINE OF DUTY/MISCONDUCT DETERMINATIONS. ALTHOUGH A
MEMBERS FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE ORDERS WILL NOT CREATE AN
AUTOMATIC PRESUMPTION OF MISCONDUCT, A DETERMINATION OF NOT IN THE
LINE OF DUTY BECAUSE OF A MEMBERS MISCONDUCT COULD RESULT IN A LOSS
OF IMPORTANT FINANCIAL AND OTHER BENEFITS TO THE SERVICE MEMBER
AND/OR SERVICE MEMBERS FAMILY.
5. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.
6. ADMIRAL THAD ALLEN, COMMANDANT, SENDS