South OC Times

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will deploy additional deputies on patrol in San Juan Capistrano on Monday, May 13. The focus of this increased presence is to identify and address violations by both drivers and motorcyclists that elevate the risk of accidents.

California has nearly 900,000 registered motorcycles, highlighting the need for heightened awareness as motorcyclists are more vulnerable than other road users. Statistics indicate that motorcycle riders are 28 times more likely to die in a crash compared to vehicle occupants.

To enhance safety, the department offers several recommendations:

For drivers:

- Always check twice for motorcycles in mirrors and blind spots.

- Use signals when changing lanes.

- Maintain a safe distance from motorcycles.

- Allow sufficient space at intersections before turning.

For motorcyclists:

- Wear a DOT-compliant helmet and protective gear such as gloves and leather clothing.

- Consider using reflective tape on clothing for better visibility.

- Keep lights on at all times, even during daylight hours.

- Signal well in advance before changing lanes and watch for turning vehicles.

- Although lane splitting is legal, avoid doing so at high speeds or between large vehicles like big rigs and motor homes.