OFF THE WIRE
http://www.highlandnews.net/articles/2013/07/24/news/doc51efe9567e6ed745848493.txt
San Bernardino Police Department Working To Improve
Motorcycle Safety
Police to increase enforcement aimed at dangerous riders
and careless motorists
The San Bernardino Police Department will be conducting a
specialized Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation on July 27, 2013 in an
effort to continue lowering deaths and injuries. Extra officers will be on duty
patrolling areas frequented by motorcyclists and where motorcycle crashes occur.
Officers will be looking for drivers and riders who are under the influence of
drugs or alcohol and cracking down on traffic violations made by regular vehicle
drivers as well as motorcyclists that can lead to motorcycle collisions,
injuries and fatalities.
After ten years of steadily increasing motorcycle fatalities
in California, increasing 175 percent from 204 killed in 1998 to 560 killed in
2008, the trend has changed. Two consecutive years of fewer motorcycle
fatalities – 394 in 2009 and 352 in 2010 – have resulted in a 37 percent
decrease since the 2008 peak. This is positive trend that we want to see
continue.
Traffic collisions occurring in the City of San Bernardino
between January 2009 and December 2011 resulted in 114 motorcyclist injuries and
5 motorcyclist deaths.
California collision data reveals that primary causes of
motorcycle-involved crashes include speeding, unsafe turning and impairment due
to alcohol and other drugs. The San Bernardino Police Department is also
reminding all motorists to always be alert and watch out for motorcycles,
especially when turning and changing lanes.
Some of the reduction in riders killed can be attributed to
fewer improperly licensed riders. In 2008, 62.7 percent of motorcycle operators
killed under age 25 were not properly licensed. In 2009, that statistic fell to
only 45.5 percent. Riders, young and old, are encouraged to be properly licensed
and to seek training and safety information.
“The terrible trend of rising motorcyclist fatalities has been
reversed, though there is more that everyone can do to save more lives. Riders
and drivers need to respect each other and share the road,” said California
Office of Traffic Safety Director, Christopher J. Murphy.
Riders can get training through the California Motorcyclist
Safety Program. Information and training locations are available at
www.CA-msp.org or 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.
Motorcycle Safety Tips
Tips for drivers to help keep motorcyclists safe on our
roadways:
* Always make a visual check for motorcycles by checking
mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic and at
intersections;
* Always signal your intentions before changing lanes or
merging with traffic;
* Don’t be fooled by a flashing turn signal on a mo¬torcycle –
motorcycle signals are often not self-canceling and riders sometimes forget to
turn them off. Wait to be sure the motorcycle is going to turn before you
proceed;
* Allow more following distance, three or four sec¬onds, when
behind a motorcycle so the motorcyclist has enough time to maneuver or stop in
an emer¬gency. And don’t tailgate. In dry conditions, motorcycles can stop more
quickly than cars.
*Never drive while distracted.
Motorcyclists can increase their safety by:
* Positioning themselves in the lane where they will be most
visible to other drivers.
*Never driving while impaired.
* Wearing a DOT-compliant helmet;
* Use your motorcycle’s turn signals; it is California law.
Combine hand signals and turn signals to draw more attention to yourself.
* Combining hand signals and turn signals to draw more
attention to themselves;
* Avoiding riding in poor weather conditions;
* Wearing brightly colored protective gear;
* Using reflective tape and stickers to increase conspicuity;
and
The message to all drivers and motorcyclists is: Help to share
in the responsibility and do your part by safely “sharing the road.”
