Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month Careless motorists as well as riders get special scrutiny

May 2, 2014

As part of May’s Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month campaign, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) will be joining forces with local law enforcement agencies and the California Highway Patrol in a month long enforcement and education campaign to increase motorcycle safety.  In support of the campaign, the LAPD will be conducting specialized Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operations on May 4th, 10th, 11th, 24th and 31st, in an effort to lower deaths and injuries.  Extra officers will be on duty patrolling areas frequented by motorcyclists and where motorcycle traffic collisions occur.  Officers will be looking for violations made by drivers and riders alike that can lead to motorcycle collisions.  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 percent from 2008 to 2010, but then rose 23 percent by 2012. Operations like this are aimed at curbing any more rises in motorcycle deaths and sending the numbers back downward.

California collision data reveals that primary causes of motorcycle-involved crashes include speeding, unsafe turning and impairment due to alcohol and other drugs.  The LAPD is also reminding all motorists to always be alert and watch out for motorcycles, especially when turning and changing lanes.  Drivers should be aware that motorcycle lane splitting is not illegal if done in a safe and prudent manner.  Motorcycle riders should consult the Lane Splitting General Guidelines to learn more – www.ots.ca.gov/lanesplittinggeneralguidelines.pdf.

Riders can get training through the California Motorcyclist Safety Program. Information and training locations are available at www.CA-msp.org or 1-877 RIDE 411 or 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.”