Saving lives and money two wheels at a time

Abstract

In fiscal year 2008, motorcycle fatalities in the Navy and Marine Corps totaled more than combat fatalities for Sailors and Marines in both Iraq and Afghanistan. This study examines how motorcycle accidents and motorcycle training programs affect the mission and readiness of the Navy and Marine Corps. This study focuses on the impact motorcycle fatalities and injuries have on manpower, and addresses the monetary costs of accidents, and the costs of recruiting and training individuals for service in the Navy and Marine Corps. The study utilizes Navy and Marine Corps motorcycle accident data, from fiscal years 2000 through 2008, to estimate the probabilities of a Sailor or Marine being killed or injured if he is involved in a motorcycle accident. Motorcycle accident information combined with recruiting and training information is used to estimate individual investments in 2008 dollars, and monetized cost of motorcycle accidents for fiscal year 2008. The analyses indicate that individual recruiting and training may cost 25,000 to 170,000 dollars, depending on the occupational specialty, while individual motorcycle accidents may cost 22,000 to 400,000 dollars. Additionally, the findings indicate that the current approved motorcycle safety course may not provide all the skills needed to help Sailors and Marines become safer riders.