R 102149Z AUG 11

ALCOAST 380/11
COMDTNOTE 5100
SUBJ: DONT LET YOUR GUARD DOWN MOTOR VEHICLE GENERAL ORDER
A. SAFETY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH MANUAL, COMDTINST M5100.47
(SERIES)
1. A GENERAL ORDER WAS ISSUED IN 2007 AND AGAIN IN 2009 TO REINFORCE
COAST GUARD POLICY CONTAINED IN REF (A) REGARDING MANDATORY USE OF
SEAT BELTS AND MOTORCYCLE HELMETS. RECENT MISHAP DATA INDICATES THAT
COAST GUARD MEMBERS INVOLVED IN OFF-DUTY MOTOR VEHICLE MISHAPS ARE
FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OUTLINED IN REF (A) AND THE
COMMANDANTS GENERAL ORDER. THESE ACTIONS ARE UNACCEPTABLE.
2. THE GENERAL ORDER IS HEREBY RE-ISSUED AS CITED BELOW:
    A. ALL COAST GUARD MILITARY MEMBERS, INCLUDING RESERVISTS IN AN
ACTIVE STATUS INCLUDING IDT AND ADT, ARE ORDERED TO WEAR SEAT BELTS
IN A MOVING CAR OR TRUCK, WHETHER THEY ARE ON OR OFF-DUTY AND
REGARDLESS OF THEIR SEATING POSITION WITHIN THE VEHICLE.
ADDITIONALLY, EVERY COST GUARD MILITARY MEMBER OPERATING OR RIDING AS
A PASSENGER ON A MOTORCYCLE OR MOPED IS ORDERED TO WEAR A CERTIFIED
PROTECTIVE HELMET. THESE ORDERS APPLY WHETHER THE COAST GUARD MEMBER
IS ON OR OFF-DUTY AND REGARDLESS OF ANY LESS RESTRICTIVE REQUIREMENTS
IN CIVIL JURISDICTIONS.
    B. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE MANDATES MAY RESULT IN
ADMINISTRATIVE AND/OR PUNITIVE ACTION UNDER THE UNIFORM CODE OF
MILITARY JUSTICE. COMMANDING OFFICERS/OFFICERS IN CHARGE SHALL ENSURE
THAT ALL MEMBERS IN THEIR COMMAND ARE AWARE OF THESE ORDERS, AND
SHALL HOLD THOSE WHO FAIL TO FOLLOW THEM ACCOUNTABLE.
    C. FOR PURPOSES OF LINE OF DUTY/MISCONDUCT DETERMINATIONS,
FAILURE
TO TAKE PROPER VEHICULAR SAFETY PRECAUTIONS AND TO COMPLY WITH THESE
ORDERS WILL BE CONSIDERED AS ON OF POTENTIALLY SEVERAL FACTORS DURING
LINE OF DUTY/MISCONDUCT DETERMINATIONS. ALTHOUGH A MEMBERS FAILURE TO
COMPLY WITH THESE ORDERS WILL NOT CREATE AN AUTOMATIC PRESUMPTION OF
MISCONDUCT, A DETERMINATION OF NOT IN THE LINE OF DUTY BECAUSE OF A
MEMBERS MISCONDUCT COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF IMPORTANT BENEFITS TO
THE COAST GUARD MEMBER AND/OR COAST GUARD MEMBERS FAMILY.
3. ADM BOB PAPP, COMMANDANT SENDS.
4. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.