To open the discussion on Sorrento Road at his town hall on June 30, Escambia County Commissioner Steve Stroberger shared information from his military experience to support his belief that an issue with the Sorrento Road’s safety is the complacency of the drivers.
The former Navy helicopter pilot said:
“The most dangerous group is the most experienced group. They have a big collateral jobs. They might be XO or CO of a squadron. They have a wealth of flying experience, and they’ve started to fly a little bit less than the rest of the pilots in the squad, and getting on the schedule is something that they do when they have time. So they may get a little complacent. That’s the most dangerous group.”
A Misconception
I asked AI about Stroberger’s statement that the most experienced pilots are the most dangerous: “The idea that most experienced military pilots are “most dangerous” is a misconception. While it’s true that fighter pilots, especially those with extensive experience, face high-risk situations, the term ‘dangerous’ is more accurately applied to the potential for error and its consequences in high-stakes combat scenarios, rather than the pilots themselves. Experienced pilots are actually more likely to survive those situations due to their training and skills.”
Here’s why:
- Veteran pilots, through training and combat experience, develop better judgment, situational awareness, and decision-making skills, which directly contribute to their ability to survive dangerous situations.
- Fighter pilots operate in a high-pressure environment where mistakes can be fatal, not just for themselves but for others. This necessitates a high level of caution and precision.
- Experienced pilots are more adept at assessing risks and making calculated decisions, which can mitigate potential dangers.
What did AI base its analysis on: Air Force Times, “Air Force needs more fighter pilots for more airpower, report says,” 1/27/2025.
- The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies report: “Experienced pilots have better survivability rates and mission outcomes in combat and confer those benefits to their less experienced wingmen.”
Crowd Reaction
Commissioner Stroberger’s attempt to link road safety to experienced pilots’ supposed complacency went flat with the town hall audience. One impatient attendee shouted he needed to get to his point.
- The commissioner responded, “I’m getting to a point. The point is this.” Attendee shouted something inaudible on the video. “I’ll have you moved if you keep it up. Just don’t interrupt anymore, and we’ll get to the point.”
Stroberger continued, “So the point is, we are that group of experienced drivers, and maybe we have gotten a little complacent, too. That’s why we’ve got people going 80 miles per hour on Sorrento. So we do need to slow down, and we need to take a pause, and we need to drive more defensively.”
- The meeting became increasingly contentious from that point.