It’s a record Russ Blandin is proud of.

“We haven’t had a (vehicle) fatality since 2007, and we are well into FY 2010,” said Blandin, Fort Gordon’s garrison safety manager.

Nationally, deaths due to vehicle accidents are down according to an October report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The report covers January through June of this year and shows an estimated 16,626 people died in vehicle acci- dents. That is down seven percent compared to the same time frame in 2008 when 17,871 died.

In contrast, a 2008 report by NHTSA states that motorcycle deaths “increased for the 11th straight year and now account for 14 percent of all highway fatalities.”

Much of the success in preventing fatalities at Fort Gordon is due to two factors, he said.

“Command emphasis is a key in significantly reducing not only fatalities but severe injuries,” Blandin said.

Education is the second factor especially for motorcycle riders.

Basic and advanced motorcycle classes have been in place Army wide for several years, and a new sport bike category was introduced earlier this year.

“That is targeting the high hazard category 18-26 yearolds,” he said.

Sports’ bikes are less expensive than other motorcycles and are popular among the younger riders, he said.

Certification in the basic class is required to operate a motorcycle on post, and many take the class before purchasing a motorcycle.

“Students come in and attend, and they may see they can’t do it or ‘it’s not for me.’ It’s a way of weeding people out,” he said.

To register for a class, visit

https://airs.lmi.org.

With the holidays coming up, increased emphasis will be placed on safety.

Each year before trainees leave for block leave, they attend the holiday safety show, which highlights motor vehicle safety and the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs as well as fire safety and safety around the home.