Motorcycle, traffic safety stressed in April Published March 26, 2008 By Staff Sgt. Rachel Martinez 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Safety will be the focus this April. In addition to motorcycle season starting, a traffic safety awareness campaign will be going on throughout the month. A traffic safety awareness campaign is held every spring in Japan. As part of the safety campaign, the Japan Air Self Defense Force, 35th Fighter Wing Safety Office and 35th Security Forces Squadron will be conducting seatbelt checks at the gates. Motorcycle safety is an important topic at Misawa and in the Air Force. All SOFA status members who wish to ride a motorcycle are required to attend a Motorcycle Safety Foundation Course. The 35th FW Safety Office conducts both a beginners and advanced MSF course each month. Before the start of the motorcycle riding season, scheduled to begin April 1, anyone planning on riding a motorcycle must attend a safety briefing scheduled for 10 a.m. March 28 in the officer's club ballroom. A make-up briefing is scheduled for 3 p.m. March 28 in the wing conference room. Topics such as riding conditions, mishap statistics and preparing for the bike season will be discussed. "We really want to stress to motorcycle riders to be more of a defensive driver, rather than an offensive driver," said Tech. Sgt. Antonio Exum, 35th FW ground safety. "It's easier to see a car than a motorcycle." Safety is also being stressed for bicyclers, skateboarders and rollerbladers. Anyone performing such an activity is required to wear a helmet. Additional protective equipment like elbow and knee pads are encouraged. "As we get into spring more pedestrians will be out and more people will be riding bikes," said Sergeant Exum. "Watch for them on and off base."