The Los Angeles Police Department and the California Highway Patrol have launched a motorcycle enforcement and education campaign in May as part of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.
The LAPD will be conducting specialized Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operations citywide on May 24 and 31 in an effort to lower deaths and injuries. Extra officers will be on duty patrolling areas frequented by motorcyclists, and where motorcycle traffic collisions have occurred. Officers will be looking for violations made by drivers and riders that can lead to motorcycle collisions, and will be specifically cracking down on drivers and riders who are speeding, making illegal turns or are under the influence of drugs or alcohol,
Motorcycle fatalities experienced a drop of 37 percent from 2008 to 2010, but then rose 23 percent by 2012. California collision data indicates that primary causes of motorcycle-involved crashes include speeding, unsafe turning and impairment due to alcohol and drug use.
The LAPD is also reminding all motorists to always be alert and watch 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.
Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
