Dozens of motorcyclists were cited Sunday for various traffic violations as part of a Motorcycle Safety Operation, Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) officials have announced.
Officers looked out for unsafe driving by motorcyclists as well as drivers operating vehicles unsafely around motorcycle riders.
Police cited 35 motorcyclists for unsafe driving and/or not wearing a Department of Transportation-approved (DOT) helmet, and cited four motorcyclists for not possessing a motorcycle license endorsement. Two Standardized Field Sobriety Tests were also conducted on motorcyclists.
Police also cited 16 automobile drivers for unsafe driving around motorcycles.
According to statistics released by the LBPD, motorcycle fatalities dropped 37 percent from 2008 to 2010, but rose 23 percent by 2012.
Over the past three years, motorcycle-involved collisions have resulted in 15 fatal and approximately 277 injury crashes in Long Beach.
No traffic-related fatalities were reported for this Memorial Day weekend, LBPD spokeswoman Marlene Arrona told the Post.
Authorities recommend motorcyclists ride with lights on during daylight hours, change lanes only when there is ample room and always wear DOT-compliant helmets and brightly colored, protective clothing.