South OC Times

The Orange County Sheriff's Department will deploy additional officers in Dana Point on Saturday, July 14. The focus of this operation is to identify traffic violations by both drivers and motorcycle riders.

Motorcycle crashes are often caused by factors such as unsafe speed, improper turning, right-of-way violations, driving under the influence, and unsafe lane changes. Speeding remains the leading cause of these incidents, contributing to nearly a third of all crashes in California.

Drivers are advised to always check mirrors and blind spots for motorcycles, use signals when changing lanes, maintain a safe distance from motorcycles, and allow enough space at intersections before turning.

Motorcyclists should wear DOT-compliant helmets and protective gear. Adding reflective tape can help increase visibility. Keeping lights on during the day is recommended. Riders should not assume they are visible to drivers; signaling well in advance before changing lanes is important. While lane splitting is legal, it is discouraged at high speeds in free-flowing traffic.