101 Critical Days of Summer come to a close Published Sept. 9, 2008 By Chris Smith 21st Space Wing Safety Office PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Labor Day weekend marked the official end to the 101 Critical Days of Summer Safety Campaign for 2008. Tragically, 16 Airmen lost their lives this summer while performing activities ranging from the mundane to the adventurous. During this year's Air Force-wide campaign, traffic mishaps accounted for the majority of the fatalities, while sports and recreation related mishaps and one miscellaneous event contributed to the rest. Of the 11 traffic environment mishaps, five involved motorcycles, three involved personal automobiles and three were pedestrian related -- all off-duty fatalities. The sports and recreation fatalities included a private aircraft crash, a lightning strike while boating and two water sport mishaps during kayaking and snorkeling activities. The miscellaneous category involved a member who was pinned beneath a vehicle while performing automotive repairs. Compared to the previous two summers, AF fatalities are down (19 fatalities in 2007 and 17 in 2006), but the data is still troubling, given the all-too-common factors present that could have been mitigated: speeding, alcohol use, failure to use personal protective equipment, distraction, among others. While our statistics speak to improving numbers, safety is not about statistics. Even one mishap is too many, and the goal is always zero. While a lofty and difficult goal to reach, it can be attained through proper application of risk management principles, use of the wingman concept and working together to take care of each other both on- and off-duty. The focus for 2009 could not be any clearer and the usual suspects any less familiar. As we head into the fall months, rest assured that a continued and increased emphasis will be placed on traffic safety and off-duty mishap prevention. However, each and every one of us must do our part for safety and A (assess) - C (consider) -T (take action) accordingly.