San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department
Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:January 26, 2016
CONTACT: Karen Hunt, Hesperia Sheriff’s Station – PIO, Phone: 760-947-1549 Improving Motorcycle Safety Aim of Hesperia Sheriff’s Station Operation Careless motorists as well as riders get special scrutiny
Summary
The Hesperia Sheriff’s Station will be conducting a specialized Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation on January 30, 2016 in an effort to lower deaths and injuries. Extra deputies will be on duty patrolling areas frequented by motorcyclists and where motorcycle crashes occur. Deputies will be looking for violations made by drivers and riders alike that can lead to motorcycle crashes. They will be cracking down on both those operating regular vehicles and motorcycles who are violating traffic safety laws.
Motorcycle fatalities jumped dramatically in California by over 28 percent from a decade low of 352 in 2010. In 2013, 453 motorcyclists lost their lives, which is at a 5 year high. California collision data reveals that primary causes of motorcycle-involved crashes include speeding, unsafe turning and impairment due to alcohol and other drugs by both riders and drivers alike. Operations like this are aimed at curbing any more rises in motorcycle deaths and sending the numbers back downward. Over the course of the past three years, motorcycle involved collisions have resulted in 41 fatal and injury crashes. Safety tips for riders – See and Be Seen: •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 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 http://www.californiamotorcyclist.com/ 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.”
John McMahon, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
Sheriff’s Public Affairs Division
655 E. Third Street
San Bernardino, California 92415-0061
Telephone: (909) 387-3700
