Motorcycles are Focus of Sheriff’s Pro-Safety, Anti-DUI Operation Today

The Orange County Sheriffís Department DUI Task Force will be out in the agency’s coverage area today for a specialized Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation aimed at lowering deaths and injuries.

“Extra officers will be on duty patrolling areas frequented by motorcyclists and where motorcycle crashes occur,” the OCSD says. “Officers will be looking for violations made by drivers and riders alike that can lead to motorcycle crashes.”
 
Motorcycle fatalities jumped dramatically in California by over 28 percent from a decade low of 352 in 2010,” says the department, which notes that in 2013, 453 motorcyclists lost their lives.

Speeding, unsafe turning and impairment due to alcohol and other drugs by both riders and drivers alike are the leading causes of motorcycle crashes in the state.

Besides pouring more deputies onto streets, the OCSD is releasing safety tips that include:

* 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;
* Ride with lights on during daylight hours;
* Look twice for motorcyclists, especially when entering the roadway, turning or changing lanes.

For information on the California Motorcyclist Safety Program, visit http://www.californiamotorcyclist.com/ or 1-877 RIDE 411 (1-877-743-3411).

Funding for this program comes to OCSD from a California Office of Traffic Safety grant, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *