COSTA MESA, Calif. (May 13, 2021) – The Costa Mesa Police Department (CMPD) has had extra officers out on patrol this month looking for violations made by drivers and motorcyclists that increase the risk of crashes. May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and the Traffic Safety Bureau will continue to conduct motorcycle safety enforcement until the end of the month. With nearly 900,000 registered motorcycles in the state, many road users are going places without the same protections as drivers. Motorcycle riders are 28 times more likely to die in a crash than are vehicle occupants. To help protect you and your family, keep the following tips in mind while driving or riding:
Drivers
- Always check twice for motorcycles in your mirrors and blind spots.
- Use your signal when changing lanes.
- Never follow a motorcycle too closely. Always keep a safe distance.
- When at an intersection, allow enough space before turning.
Motorcyclists:
- Always wear a DOT compliant helmet and protective gear like gloves and leather clothing.
- Consider adding reflective tape to your clothing to make it easier for other drivers to see you.
- Keep your lights on at all times, even during the day.
- Do not assume drivers see you: signal well in advance before changing lanes and watch for turning vehicles.
- Although lane splitting is legal, the practice is not encouraged at high speeds in free-flowing traffic, or between large vehicles like big rigs and motor homes.
“Keeping the roads safe for our traveling community is our top priority, and the Traffic Safety Bureau recognizes the need to protect the public by looking for violations made by drivers and riders that puts the public at further risk,” said Sgt. Dan Miles. Funding for this enforcement is provided to CMPD by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
