Is the Military Dying on Motorcycles?

Citing a study that the motorcycle accident death rate has doubled during the last few years for various branches of the military, CNN reported that troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan have been returning home to die in motorcycle accidents. CNN reported that this is double the number of combat deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan.

CNN reports that some psychiatrists said the Superman complex is to blame. After returning home from war, troops believe nothing can happen to them and engage in risky activities. The CNN report made it sound like motorcycles are so risky that they are responsible for killing more people than in war.

CNN interviewed Navy psychiatrist Lieutenant Commander Leigh Bishop, who said that he was not greatly surprised and that “Psychiatrists and mental health providers certainly are aware of some of the emotions and mental attitudes in our returning service members that can lead to seeking thrilling or exciting behaviors that may be risky.”

CNN showed a video of a motorcycle training class provided by one of the branches of the military, indicating that the military is now providing motorcycle training to stem further motorcycle injuries.  Lt. Cmdr. Bishop said that they are taught how to deal with the handling characteristics of the motorcycles that they’re riding, being aware of their mental state and attitude, and not to drive when under stress or have been drinking.

CNN Anchor Kyra Phillips ended the report with a final question for US Navy Petty Officer Aaron Richards, who was also being interviewed, “Final thought, Aaron, when you get on the bike, what goes through your head since you’ve had the training, and you’ve watched your buddies die and just even this conversation, what’s going through your mind when you get on that bike?”

While the theme of the CNN report seemed to be about the emotions of returning troops causing them to engage in risky activities, the report made riding all motorcycles sound like a death wish.  But, barely heard in the interview was one sentence by Lt. Cmdr. Bishop, who said: “One of the things that we know is that 88 percent of the accidents that have happened have happened on sports bikes, which handle differently than cruisers.”

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Motorcycle Lawyer Phil FranckelPhilip L. Franckel, Esq. personally authored this page and all articles on NYMotorcycleAttorneys.com.

You may have met Phil Franckel and Rob Plevy at motorcycle events. Phil and Rob created the motorcycle awareness campaign BE AWARE MOTORCYCLES ARE EVERYWHERE®. They are Founding Partners of 1-800-HURT-911® New York, well-known in New York for representing motorcyclists. Phil is an Avvo Top Motorcycle Attorney with a 10 Avvo rating, Avvo Motorcycle Client’s Choice award with all 5-star reviews, Avvo Top Motorcycle Accident Contributor, and a former Member of the Board of Directors of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association.


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Motorcycle Attorney Phil Franckel talks about how motorcycle accidents are different

Philip L. Franckel, Esq. is the author of all articles and content on this website, one of the Personal Injury Dream Team™ Founding Partners at 1-800-HURT-911® New York, well-known for representing motorcyclists. He has a 10 Avvo rating; Avvo Client’s Choice with all 5-star reviews; Avvo Top Contributor; and is a former Member of the Board of Directors of the New York State Trial Lawyers Association. Mr. Franckel created the motorcycle awareness campaign BE AWARE MOTORCYCLES ARE EVERYWHERE®.

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New York Motorcycle Accident Lawyer and Founding Partner Rob Plevy, Esq.

New York Motorcycle Accident Lawyer and Founding Partner Rob Plevy, Esq.

Robert Plevy, Esq. is a motorcycle accident lawyer and one of the Personal Injury Dream Team™ Founding Partners at 1-800-HURT-911® New York. Robert began his legal career in 1993 as an Assistant Corporation Counsel defending The City of New York against personal injury lawsuits.

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