Email   Print   Share By Janna Lewis, Sentinel Staff

Facebook Digg Delicious January 29, 2009 | Living

Staff Sgt. Doniyell Bullock, 69th Air Defense Artillery, and Sgt. Tina Smith, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, prepare to ride during the one of the ATSTP motorcycle rider safety courses. Motorcycle simultors use virtual reality computer programs to get riders used to the feel of riding in a variety of situation within the safety of a classroom. Janna Lewis

Staff Sgt. Doniyell Bullock, 69th Air Defense Artillery, watches as Sgt. Tina Smith, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, prepares to ride during the one of the ATSTP motorcycle rider safety courses. Motorcycle simultors use virtual reality computer programs to get riders used to the feel of riding in a variety of situation within the safety of a classroom. Janna Lewis

Riding a motorcycle is not as easy as it looks. In fact, it’s easier to crash than most people realize. The Army Traffic Safety Training Program, currently located on West Fort Hood, helps first time riders and experienced riders learn how to operate a motorcycle safely. The program also teaches safe driving.

The program uses motorcycle and driving simulation programs that recreate the look and feel of actually being on a motorcycle or behind the wheel of a car.

The motorcycle simulators are so realistic, riders sit on the bodies of Bavarian Motor Works bikes and experience the feel of real riding, including road hazards.

“You can operate these simulators and if you make a mistake it will simulate a crash,” said Horst Loechel, occupational health and safety specialist, Fort Hood Garrison Safety. “You get to experience a crash without getting hurt.”

Loechel said the simulators help riders get the experience they need on motorcycles before venturing out on a real bike.

“Riders actually improve their clutching, shifting and braking before they get out on the range,” he said. “It speeds up the learning curve and improves safe riding.”

The computer programs used for the motorcycle and driving simulators operate like computer games. When an accident happens or a rider or driver doesn’t follow traffic safety laws, it’s game over.

“There was a time when the Army was losing one Soldier every three days,” said Jay Jacquot, ATSTP trainer. “Fort Hood was losing 40-50 Soldiers every year in traffic fatalities. It had to stop.”

The first class was held Jan. 8. Since that time, 44 drivers of privately owned vehicles have participated in the program, including 14 motorcycle riders.

Some participants take the course to have traffic tickets issued to them on post dismissed.

“ATSTP has taken the place of the old (defensive driving course),” Jacquot said.

The program has six courses: the accident avoidance course, the local hazards and intermediate driver’s training, basic motorcycle rider’s course, the experienced rider’s course, motorcycle sports bike rider course and the motorcycle refresher training course.

The accident avoidance course is required for anyone driving Army motor vehicles or government vehicles. Drivers must repeat the training every four years and provide their supervisors with a certificate of completion. Web-based training is at https://safetylms.army.mil.

The local hazards and intermediate driver’s training class is required for servicemembers under 26 years of age who possess a driver’s license. The 3-hour classroom course is intended to reinforce a positive attitude toward driving and runs 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m., Tuesday-Friday.

To take the basic motorcycle rider classes, students must have a Department of Transportation-approved helmet and required personal protective equipment (PPE, IAW AR385-10) at the time of the class. The basic rider course is provided for active duty, National Guard and Army reserve. Department of Defense civilians, DoD contractors, Family members and retirees, who may participate based on space availability. The course is 16 hours or two duty days, and is intended for the novice motorcycle operator. Five hours are spent in classroom learning; 11 hours are spent in hands-on training. Students must have a valid state privately owned vehicle driver’s license. Motorcycles will be provided for student training.

The experienced rider course is provided for active duty, National Guard and Army reserve. The 8-hour course is required for all military motorcycle riders and is intended for the more experienced motorcycle operator. It runs 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday. Participants must have a motorcycle endorsement on a state issued driver’s license and must provide their personal motorcycles.

The motorcycle sports bike rider 10-hour course is provided for active duty, National Guard and Army reserve. DoD civilians, DoD contractors, Family members and retirees may participate based on space availability. It is required for military sports bike riders. The class runs 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday. Participants must have completed the experienced rider’s course and must have a motorcycle endorsement on state issued driver’s license. They must have their own motorcycles.

The motorcycle refresher training course is required for all redeployed Soldiers within 30 days of their return. It runs 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday. Participants must have a motorcycle endorsement on state issued driver’s license and provide their own motorcycles. Units must schedule classes.

Students may enroll in courses in person at the classroom located in Bldg. 91085, the old West Fort Hood gym, on the corner of Clarke Road and Headquarters Avenue or call the Fort Hood Army

Traffic Safety Training Office at 287-4639.

To enroll through the AIRS online system, visit https://airs.lmi.org.