South OC Times

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will deploy additional deputies on patrol in Mission Viejo on Monday, May 6. The focus of this enforcement effort is to identify and address violations by both drivers and motorcyclists that elevate the risk of crashes.

California has nearly 900,000 registered motorcycles, with many riders lacking the same protections as vehicle occupants. Statistics indicate that motorcycle riders are 28 times more likely to die in a crash compared to those in vehicles.

To enhance safety for all road users, the department has issued 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 before turning at intersections.

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, it is not advised at high speeds or between large vehicles like big rigs and motor homes.

The enforcement initiative aims to reduce accidents involving motorcycles by promoting adherence to these safety measures.