South OC Times

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will deploy additional deputies on patrol in Laguna Hills on Monday, May 20, to monitor for violations by drivers and motorcyclists that increase the risk of crashes.

California has nearly 900,000 registered motorcycles. Motorcycle riders are significantly more vulnerable on the road, being 28 times more likely to die in a crash than vehicle occupants.

To enhance safety, the following tips are advised for both drivers and motorcyclists:

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 maintain a safe distance.

- When at an intersection, allow enough space before turning.

Motorcyclists:

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

- Consider adding reflective tape to your clothing to increase visibility.

- Keep your lights on at all times, even during the day.

- Don’t assume drivers see you: signal well in advance before changing lanes and watch for turning vehicles.

- Although lane splitting is legal, it is not encouraged at high speeds in free-flowing traffic or between large vehicles like big rigs and motor homes.