Commandant of U.S. Marines Changes Rules After Record Marine Motorcycle Accidents

August 26, 2008 (by Otto Smyth)

According to reports by Marine Corps. discount lawyers, the Marine Corps ordered that each base was to take a census for the amount of motorcycle riders at each base. This is reportedly according to an August 19th order by General James Amos the assistant commandant of the Marine Corps.

This census was ordered after the Marine Corps lost their 24th Marine since October 1st of 2007 to motorcycle fatalities. The previous year from October 1, 2006 to September 30, 2007 was 19 Marines fatally injured in Motorcycle accidents.

The report of Marines that ride motorcycles was due to be completed Friday, August 22nd.

General Amos stated in this order that there were more Marines and sailors fatally injured than any other year and the Marines have the ability to prevent future fatalities. He also stated that the Corps is making additional motorcycle riders courses available.

While on base Marines and sailors are required to wear reflexive vests on base to increase visibility to motorists.

This comes after an August 16th accident when Lance Cpl. Christopher Carrasquillo, stationed at Miramar Marine Corps Air Station was fatally injured when he lost control of his motorcycle on State Route 76 while passing another vehicle.

The 24th Marine was fatally injured the weekend of August 23-24, when his motorcycle struck a car. His rank has not been released, his name was Zachary Stein age 19 and was stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.

Camp Pendleton officials have announced that there will be a Motorcycle Fest and this will be the first of its kind held at the base and will focus on safety.

The event will be held Thursday and there will be a breakfast, a barbecue lunch and there will also be mandatory safety presentations. There will be a stunt rider exhibition and a poker run where riders will go to selected sites and collect cards. The rider with the highest hand will win the poker run.