101 Critical Days of Summer: Motorcycle safety course could save a life

  • Published
  • By by Tech. Sgt. Kristie Chung
  • 51st Operations Support Squadron
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  "Why are you doing that?! 

You need to turn your head and look toward the turn! 

No! Not like that! Lean into it!!!" the Motorcycle Safety Instructor yelled. 

In my head I thought, "I am! Stop yelling at me!"   

It was the second day of a 12-hour motorcycle safety class at Yongsan, and I was dog tired. 

I'd never ridden a motorcycle before, and had no desire to. Being the wonderful caring wife that I am, I bought my husband a new Harley Davidson as a gift for completing his weight loss goals. 

However, when I went to register my husband's motorcycle, I forgot he was a dependent. 

I was politely informed by the Security Forces Pass and ID member that as the military member I had to have a motorcycle license and attend the Motorcycle Safety Course in order to register the shiny new motorcycle. 

I stared at the Security Forces member in disbelief and said, "I can't ride a motorcycle!" 

He politely smiled and said, "Well ma'am, I suggest you learn!" 

After the first 12-hour day of the motorcycle safety class, I did not want to return for round two the next day. 

I was tired of the long classroom hours, and six hours of riding with very short breaks.I wanted to quit; after all, it wasn't my motorcycle anyway. 

Then I thought of my husband and how hard he had worked at his weight loss goals and how he was counting on me to pass the safety class. 

I gritted my teeth, hunkered down, and promised myself to return to the class the next day. After all my suffering, I did in fact pass the course and obtained my license. I thought what I had learned was a waste of time as I would never ride a motorcycle again, but everything I learned in the class stayed with me. 

The first thing I did was to plaster my husband's new helmet with a bunch of those triangle reflective stickers that say "Motorcycle Safety Foundation." 

I checked his helmet to ensure it was "Snell" approved. Then I bought him the brightest reflective vest available. 

Before my husband goes out to ride, I find myself giving him a reminder safety briefing which he kindly tolerates. If he argues, I find myself saying, "But Mr. Lee said..." 

That was four years ago, and I'm glad I attended the class.  
 
The skills I learned in the Motorcycle Safety class helped me to become a better driver around motorcycles. 

As a driver, it's important to signal to motorcycles around you early enough for them to react. 

When approaching a STOP sign, stopping slowly allows the motorcycle operator to see your break lights and allows them to slop slowly and safely. 

As a motorcycle operator following a car it is important to keep a safe distance and ride in the lane that makes you the most visible to the driver of the car. 

Motorcycle riders should wear bright clothing and reflective gear especially at night. 

The night after I plastered my husband's helmet with the reflective stickers, he was almost hit by a vehicle making an illegal turn. After pulling over and apologizing for the near miss, the driver of the vehicle informed my husband that it was the reflective stickers on the helmet and the bright orange vest that caught his eye in the turn and probably saved his life!