FORT RUCKER, ALA. -- The U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center recently compiled Army-wide accident fatality data for the second quarter of fiscal 2012. From Jan. 1 through March 31, 2012, 30 Soldiers died in accidents, a 6 percent decrease from the first quarter of the year.

The greatest achievement of the second quarter was a 14 percent reduction in year-to-date off-duty fatalities as compared to the first six months of fiscal 2011. The stabilization of privately owned vehicle fatalities and a drop in motorcycle deaths were largely responsible for the positive trend.

"This welcome respite is a great news story for all our leaders, Soldiers, Family members and Civilians working hard for safety every day, but it doesn't mean we can drop our guard," said Brig. Gen. William T. Wolf, director of Army Safety and commander, U.S. Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center, Fort Rucker, Ala. "We must redouble our efforts now that we're well into spring and rapidly approaching summer, the two seasons that predictably are deadliest for our Soldiers off duty."

While leaders should continue to place special emphasis on privately owned motorcycle and privately owned vehicle accident prevention, Wolf urged them to remember the other hazards unique to the warmer seasons.

"We've already lost two Soldiers to drowning this fiscal year, and that number is sure to go up as the weather warms and conditions become more favorable for water-related activities," he said. "Engagement obviously works, and leaders should be doing everything in their power to curb indiscipline and identify the high-risk Soldiers within their formations, both on and off duty."

There were no on-duty aviation fatalities reported during the second quarter, but six Soldiers died in ground accidents. That number is equal to deaths recorded in the same category during the first quarter, resulting in a 71 percent increase in on-duty ground fatalities from the first half of fiscal 2011.

"Maintaining last year's phenomenal on-duty safety success won't be easy," Wolf said, noting the double-digit reductions experienced in nearly all on-duty fatality categories during fiscal 2011. "But by working together and staying engaged, we can keep accidental fatalities from rising with the temperature these next few months."

The annual Army Safe Spring/Summer campaign, which features media tools designed to address common seasonal hazards and assist leaders in their safety efforts, was launched April 1 and is now available online at https://safety.army.mil.