Improving Motorcycle Safety Aim of Santa Barbara Police Department Operation

Source: City of Santa Barbara

The Santa Barbara Police Department will be conducting a specialized Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation on June 30, 2017 in an effort to lower deaths and injuries.  Extra officers will be on duty patrolling areas frequented by motorcyclists and where motorcycle crashes occur.  Officers 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 additional rises in motorcycle deaths and are intended to send the number of deaths and injuries back downward.  Over the course of the past 3 years, motorcycle involved collisions have resulted in 117 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

·         Always 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.”