Convoy Safety It’s annual training time again. All the signs are here - the bright sun, melting snow and ice, neighborhood cookouts, and yes, the convoys of Military vehicles on the roads heading to and from the Camp Ripley training area. Although training is a year-round activity for Soldiers, vehicles and convoys are usually more visible on Minnesota roads during warm-weather months. "You don't see a lot of Military vehicles on the roads in the winter." said WO1 Jerry Hummel, MN ARNG State Safety Assistant and 34th Combat Aviation Brigade Mobility officer. "It's just not as safe, and we will mitigate risks at all costs. We schedule our ranges so we are not running them as often in the wintertime." Increased military vehicles on Minnesota's roadways are just another fact of life during this time of the year. There are safety precautions that every driver should keep in mind when encountering them on the road. Passing a convoy (a line of 5-20 vehicles) on the roads is often necessary since their maximum speed is between 45 mph and 50 mph or the posted speed limit. Several convoys may be encountered on the way to Camp Ripley. When passing a convoy, be sure that you are in the legal passing lane to pass, and ensure that you have enough room to safely pass or get back in between the vehicles. They are spaced 50 to 100 meters apart, depending on travel speed and traffic density so you can pass one and maybe two at a time. There is not any rule against passing military vehicles in a convoy other than maintaining safe following distances and following traffic regulations.

“Some of the biggest safety obstacles convoys encounter are wildlife, narrow roadways, and other drivers passing unsafely”, said WO1 Hummel. "People need to realize that on the highways, we go 45 mph because we have large, heavy armor plated vehicles. If we go slower, it makes it easier for us to safely stop in a hurry. We are basically the same weight as a tractor trailer, just more compact," he explained. The first vehicle in a convoy will display a sign indicating that a convoy follows. The last vehicles in a convoy will have a sign indicating that a convoy is ahead and all oversized vehicles will have signs indicating that they are oversized. From slower speed limits to required signage, convoy drivers and mobility officers work diligently to adhere to all safety guidelines. "Our responsibility is to ensure that our convoys follow the Minnesota Department of Transportation regulations to be sure that they're legal, and to be sure that the vehicles are safe and are able to go on Minnesota roads. The convoy commanders brief their convoy drivers very well. They know what to do in case of accidents or in case of breakdowns." Hummel said. Drivers complete 40 hours of classroom training and 40 hours of driver training to ensure they have the skills and knowledge to maneuver a military vehicle. Additionally, more experienced trained drivers ride with to provide mentorship to new drivers. "Our young leaders are the ones making it all happen. These are the guys who are making sure that it's not just checking the oil, tires, and windshield wipers, but that the drivers are properly trained; and have gone through all the right training to allow them to operate the vehicle," WO1 Hummel said. "So that's where the real rubber meets the road, so to speak, when putting convoys together." When driving to Camp Ripley, convoy planners plan routes that use main thoroughfares, and avoid roads through housing areas or school zones. "Our drivers are trained and we are professionals. What we are doing here prepares us for future deployments," he said. "We appreciate the public's support." Safe driving techniques are the same whether the other vehicle is a civilian or military vehicle. Accidents involving civilian vehicles and military vehicles in convoy operations are very rare. The Minnesota National Guard takes every precaution to insure that all convoy operations are conducted safely and professionally. These precautions maintain public safety and posture the Minnesota National Guard to be “Always Ready” In Minnesota, military convoys are concentrated in the spring and summer months in conjunction with unit annual training periods. Convoys operations are a departure from normal traffic conditions and present the public with unfamiliar driving conditions. Many times, drivers feel uncomfortable around these formations and questions arise such as: What speed does a convoy travel? Convoys travel between 45 MPH and 50 MPH, above posted

Can I drive between military vehicles in a convoy? Yes. Military convoy operations are designed to safely move vehicles and equipment on public highways between locations. Convoys are subject to all the same highway safety regulations. While civilian drivers may not feel comfortable passing military vehicles or driving in the middle of a convoy, as long as safe traveling distances and speeds are maintained, there are no regulations against driving between military vehicles in a convoy. Is there some standard following distance or spacing rule for military convoys? Spacing between vehicles in a convoy is based on the type of convoy and traffic conditions. Generally, in traffic to Camp Ripley, vehicles will maintain safe following distance of approximately 100 meters. As travel speeds slow, this distance will be reduced.