JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
During the Thanksgiving-to-New Year's time frame, the Air Force had the lowest number of private motor vehicle fatalities (one), to include the lowest number of automobile fatalities (zero) in the record books. It was also the first time in 13 years that the Air Force did not have a single Active Duty death due to any type of safety mishap during the Christmas-to-New Year's time frame. In comparison, the Air Force has averaged over 6 fatalities to personal motor vehicle mishaps during this same time-frame over the past 23 years.
Commanders and safety professionals from the units to the major commands have contributed greatly to the best holiday on record for the Air Force. Major General Fred Roggero, the Air Force Chief of Safety, sent a note to the MAJCOM vice commanders stating, "I want to thank you for your support in emphasizing traffic safety since that's where our Airmen are continuously most at risk. Please congratulate all of your commanders/directors and your safety professionals for a job well done during this typically hazardous time of year. Of course, please remind them to not let up on what they're doing!"
"Our Airmen are taking the Secretary's and Chief of Staff's memo on reckless behavior to heart," said Colonel Roberto Guerrero, Air Force Safety Center Chief of Ground Safety. "The lone Airman, in the one PMV fatality which occurred right after the Thanksgiving holiday, was not at fault - he was struck by a non-Air Force drunk driver." The memo emphasized private motor vehicle safety and noted that all Airmen must understand that failure to take personal responsibility will result in their being held accountable for their actions.
"Airmen have to be aware of the risk they assume while off-duty, mitigate that risk, and not take on any more than their fellow Airmen, or their families, can handle," said Maj. Gen. Roggero. "All wingmen are accountable for their actions, and shouldn't make friends and family pay for poor judgment."