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LINK FOUND BETWEEN VETERANS AND MOTORCYCLE
DEATHS --
Experts say the "adrenaline rush" is behind the
phenomenon.
Story here...
http://www.wjactv.com/news/10325324/detail.html
Story below:
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Link Found Between Former Soldiers, Motorcycle Deaths
A Channel 6 News investigation uncovered a
disturbing link between soldiers returning from combat and motorcycle
deaths.
Some veterans said adjusting to civilian life after being in combat is
no easy task, and they said riding a motorcycle can fill the need for an
adrenaline rush.
That combination, however, has become increasingly deadly across the
region.
On May 7, 24-year-old Marine Sgt. Ryan Pearson of Arkansas was killed on
his motorcycle on the McNally Bridge on Route 219. On Aug. 22,
22-year-old Jeff Keyser -- a Richland Township firefighter and a former
airman -- died after crashing his motorcycle on Elton Road.
The circumstances, though still under investigation, prompted
investigators to take a closer look at the relationship between former
soldiers and motorcycle deaths.
"We did a little research on it and found out that in fact it's a
phenomenon that is happening across the nation," said Detective Kevin
Lehman, of the Richland Police Department.
According to the Naval Safety Center's website, from 2002-2006, 624
Marines and sailors were killed in private motor vehicle deaths. Of
those, 176 were motorcycle deaths. When adding Army soldiers, the number
of motorcycle deaths totaled about 350 since 2001.
"At one time...there were actually more soldiers being killed in
civilian life in motorcycle accidents and vehicle accidents than were
dying in Iraq," Lehman said.
Experts said adrenaline is behind the phenomenon.
Gordon Mathers, of the VA Medical Center, said, "When they come back to
the U.S., there's no switch there to just say that it's all over. 'I
don't miss the combat, but I miss being up and ready.'"
Mathers said he likens the rush to a drug addiction.
"They get addicted to the adrenaline. It puts them on a high. It's a
drug in itself," he said.
Mathers said the more a soldier is involved in combat, the greater the
need for adrenaline when he or she comes home. He said the problem of
motorcycle deaths has increased so much, the U.S. Army instituted a
mandatory safety training class for bike owners.
Army Reserve Chief Jason Pitts said the class teaches riders safety
techniques that many riders don't typically know.
Lehman said the findings were a "wake-up call for the military that we
have to address. We're trying to be safe with our troops in Iraq and
something is falling short back here in the U.S."
He said the issue actually started back in World War II with the
military surplus of motorcycles. He also said that was the origin of the
famous motorcycle group the Hell's Angels.
If you or a loved one needs help dealing with the overwhelming feelings
of adrenaline, please call the VA Medical Center at 877-626-2500.
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Larry Scott
