The Laguna Beach Police Department will be conducting a specialized Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation on Sunday September 6 2015.
Laguna Beach Police Department is conducting this operation in an effort to lower deaths and injuries.
Extra officers will be on duty patrolling areas frequented by motorcyclists and where motorcycle crashes occur.
Officers will be looking for violations made by drivers and riders alike that can lead to motorcycle crashes.
They will be cracking down on both those operating regular vehicles and motorcycles who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, speeding, making illegal turns, or any other dangerous violation.
Motorcycle fatalities saw a phenomenal drop of 37% from 2008 to 2010, but then rose 23% by 2012 in California.
Operations like this are aimed at curbing any more rises in motorcycle deaths and sending the numbers back downward.
Over the course of the past 3 years, motorcycle involved collisions have resulted in 2 fatal and 36 injury crashes in Laguna Beach.
California collision data reveals that primary causes of motorcycle-involved crashes include speeding, unsafe turning and impairment due to alcohol and other drugs by both riders and drivers alike.
Safety tips for Motorcycle riders – See and Be Seen:
Ride with lights on during daylight hours
Use your lane position to increase visibility; change lanes only when there is ample room
Match your speed to surrounding traffic
Always wear a DOT compliant helmet and brightly colored, protective clothing
Safety tips for drivers – Share the Road:
Look twice for motorcyclists, especially when entering the roadway, turning or changing lanes
Motorcyclist are allowed in HOV lanes unless prohibited by signage
Riders are urged to get training through the California Motorcyclist Safety Program. Information and training locations are available at http://www.californiamotorcyclist.com/ or 1-877 RIDE 411 (1-877-743-3411).
Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The message to all drivers and motorcyclists is: share in the responsibility and do your part by safely “sharing the road.” For more information on motorcycle safety, visit http://www.nhtsa.gov/Safety/Motorcycles.
Next Scheduled Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation is Saturday September 12 2015.
