JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Maryland –
Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, hosted the Fifth Annual Motorcycle Safety Day, here, June 11, 2015.
The event served as quarterly safety training and a fun day out for JBA motorcycle riders said Tech Sgt. Brandon Ferris, Commander's Action Group NCO in charge.
"Every year, The Air Force has motorcycle fatalities. In order to staunch those numbers, we need to provide safety training," Ferris said. "So if we make safety events like this fun, people will be more inclined to go and pay attention."
Although directed at motorcycle riders, the demonstrations, competitions and local motorcycle equipment vendors were open to anyone with base access.
Staff Sgt. Roland Hubert III emphasized the importance for non-riders to gain awareness and a better understanding of the people they share the road with to avoid accidents and fatalities.
Chief Master Sgt. Vance Kondon, 11th Wing command chief, reminded to consistently perform inspections on their motorcycles before each ride.
Immediately after, Domonic Anderson, professional motorcycle drag racer, walked riders through a comprehensive inspection of their motorcycles including tires, wheels, controls, lights, oil, chassis and stands.
Hubert stressed the importance of safety training and road awareness.
"Knowing how to keep yourself and others safe is the key to success," Hubert said. "A man once said 'The concrete is harder than your face. Wear a helmet with a faceshield.'"
Ferris hopes the event will improve each year and encompass a wider audience to spread the message of safety.
"In the future we hope to make the event bigger, better and a joint environment," Ferris said. "We're going to try to make Joint Base Andrews the center for motorcycle safety in the National Capital Region."