As the price of gas continues to rise, you can expect to see more motorcyclists taking to the roadways and highways. The Los Alamitos Police Department would like offer this friendly reminder that motorcycles are vehicles with the same rights and privileges as any other vehicle. The month of May is Motorcyclists Safety Awareness Month and we encourage you to share the road and stay alert. Below you will find a few safety tips, that if followed, will make your commute a safe one.
Share the Road California!
Facts about motorcycles:
- Motorcycles are vehicles with the same rights and privileges as any motor vehicle on the roadway.
- Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month is a national and state initiative aimed at getting motorists and motorcyclists to “Share the Road” with each other.
- Riders need to make themselves "high-viz" or "visible." Draw attention to themselves even if other drivers may not be actively looking.
- Approximately one-half of all motorcycle crashes involve another motor vehicle. Nearly 40 percent of those crashes were caused by the other vehicle turning left in front of the motorcyclist.
The motorist “Share the Road” Checklist:
- Expect to see motorcycles at any time, and search frequently for them.
- Check your mirrors and blind spot before merging or changing lanes, especially in heavy traffic. A motorcycle can easily be hidden behind a car or truck.
Information for the Motorcyclist:
- Wear brightly colored protective gear and a DOT-compliant helmet. Red, yellow, orange, and white are highly visible and help a rider stand out. Use reflective tape and stickers to make you more visible to other motorists.
- Strategically use your lane position to see and be seen.
- Always use your turn signals each time you turn or change lanes, even if you think no one will see it.
- Combine hand signals and turn signals to draw more attention to yourself.
Helmets Save Lives:
- Always use a DOT approved helmet.
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that helmets saved the lives of 1,784 motorcyclists in 2007. If all motorcyclists had worn helmets, an additional 800 lives could have been saved.
- Helmets are estimated to be 37 percent effective in preventing fatal injuries to motorcyclists.
- For every 100 motorcyclists killed in crashes that were not wearing a helmet, 37 of them could have been saved if they would have been wearing a helmet.