The Long Beach Police Department will conduct a specialized motorcycle-safety enforcement operation on Saturday, Jan. 10 in an effort to lower deaths and injuries, according to the department. 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 driving regular vehicles and motorcycle riders that are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, speeding, making illegal turns, or committing other dangerous violations, according to the LBPD.
Motorcycle fatalities saw a drop of 37 percent from 2008 to 2010 but then rose 23 percent by 2012, police said.
In Long Beach, there were 295 motorcyclists injured and 19 motorcycle fatalities during a three-year period spanning from January of 2011 to December of 2013. California collision data reveal 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.
“The Long Beach Police Department would like to remind all motorists to always be alert and watch out for motorcycles, especially when turning and changing lanes,” states an LBPD press release. “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. Visit ots.ca.gov/lanesplittinggeneralguidelines.pdf . Riders can get training through the California Motorcyclist Safety Program. Information and training locations are available by visiting CA-msp.org or calling 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.
Source: LBPD
