This Saturday and Sunday, the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) announced it will be conducting Specialized Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operations as part of a broader effort to lower deaths and injuries.
According to a release issued by the LBPD, extra officers will patrol areas often frequented by motorcyclists, aiming to apprehend car drivers and motorcycle riders as they make violations that can lead to motorcycle crashes.
The release stated that while the motorcycle fatality rate dropped by 37 percent from 2008 to 2010 in Long Beach, the rate rose by 23 percent from 2010 to 2012. In the past two years, motorcycle-involved collisions have resulted in 12 fatalities and 184 injuries in Long Beach.
The release issued the following safety tips for riders, in hopes of curbing fatality rates:
Safety tips for 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 www.CA-msp.org 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.”