South OC Times

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department will deploy additional deputies on patrol in Dana Point on Saturday, August 24, to monitor for violations by drivers and motorcyclists that could increase the risk of crashes.

With nearly 900,000 registered motorcycles in California, many road users travel without the same protections as drivers. Motorcycle riders are statistically 28 times more likely to die in a crash than vehicle occupants.

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 adding reflective tape to clothing for better visibility.

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

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

- While lane splitting is legal, it is not advised at high speeds or between large vehicles like big rigs and motor homes.