Motorcyclist's safety gear saves life
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --
Every Air Force motorcycle rider has heard the briefings, attended the safety courses and been preached to about wearing their safety gear.
Every Air Force motorcycle rider knows the statistics about why they should wear a helmet and learn safe driving practices.
One Lakenheath motorcycle rider took that advice to heart, and it saved his life.
Staff Sgt. Kevin Jones, 48th Medical Operations Squadron orthopedic technician, did everything right and he's alive today.
Sergeant Jones was on his way to the experience rider course on the A11 at 7 a.m. when a vehicle trying to make the exit cut across two lanes of traffic. Using skills he had learned in motorcycle safety training, Sergeant Jones safely corrected across the first two lanes, but then ran out of room.
Though he was only going 60 mph, Sergeant Jones tumbled approximately 100 feet down the road after hitting the car and going over the hood. Because Sergeant Jones maneuvered his bike to prevent himself from flying over the windscreen and remembered to roll properly, he was able to get up and scramble to the grass to avoid being hit.
Even with a full face helmet, leather gloves, a riding jacket with armor and over ankle boots, Sergeant Jones broke his left hand and shoulder. He also suffered from a dislocated jaw, shredded the skin on his lips, sprained both wrists and his left ankle and well as having a tail bone and back injury.
"I don't think he would have survived without a helmet," said Lt. Col. Jeffrey Marchessault, 48th Medical Operations Squadron orthopedic surgeon, who happen upon the scene moments after the accident happened. "Kevin could have died from this accident. There was enough energy and force involved."
But Sergeant Jones didn't die, in fact he was released from the hospital eight days after the accident.
"Everything I learned in the experienced riders course worked," said Sergeant Jones. "Wearing safety gear isn't a standard, it's a must. If I had just hit my face alone, I would have died without my helmet."
The experienced riders course hones riders skills, covers protective gear, rider responsibility, motorcycle inspection and care, the effects of alcohol and other drugs on riding, and a skill evaluation and knowledge test. Using their own motorcycle, riders put into practice the techniques of managing traction, controlling rear-wheel skids, stopping quickly, cornering and swerving.
Though his motorcycle is totaled, Sergeant Jones plans to keep riding -- with his safety gear.
Every Air Force motorcycle rider knows the statistics about why they should wear a helmet and learn safe driving practices.
One Lakenheath motorcycle rider took that advice to heart, and it saved his life.
Staff Sgt. Kevin Jones, 48th Medical Operations Squadron orthopedic technician, did everything right and he's alive today.
Sergeant Jones was on his way to the experience rider course on the A11 at 7 a.m. when a vehicle trying to make the exit cut across two lanes of traffic. Using skills he had learned in motorcycle safety training, Sergeant Jones safely corrected across the first two lanes, but then ran out of room.
Though he was only going 60 mph, Sergeant Jones tumbled approximately 100 feet down the road after hitting the car and going over the hood. Because Sergeant Jones maneuvered his bike to prevent himself from flying over the windscreen and remembered to roll properly, he was able to get up and scramble to the grass to avoid being hit.
Even with a full face helmet, leather gloves, a riding jacket with armor and over ankle boots, Sergeant Jones broke his left hand and shoulder. He also suffered from a dislocated jaw, shredded the skin on his lips, sprained both wrists and his left ankle and well as having a tail bone and back injury.
"I don't think he would have survived without a helmet," said Lt. Col. Jeffrey Marchessault, 48th Medical Operations Squadron orthopedic surgeon, who happen upon the scene moments after the accident happened. "Kevin could have died from this accident. There was enough energy and force involved."
But Sergeant Jones didn't die, in fact he was released from the hospital eight days after the accident.
"Everything I learned in the experienced riders course worked," said Sergeant Jones. "Wearing safety gear isn't a standard, it's a must. If I had just hit my face alone, I would have died without my helmet."
The experienced riders course hones riders skills, covers protective gear, rider responsibility, motorcycle inspection and care, the effects of alcohol and other drugs on riding, and a skill evaluation and knowledge test. Using their own motorcycle, riders put into practice the techniques of managing traction, controlling rear-wheel skids, stopping quickly, cornering and swerving.
Though his motorcycle is totaled, Sergeant Jones plans to keep riding -- with his safety gear.
