The Oxnard Police Department will have extra officers out on patrol Saturday, March 7, 2020, between 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. looking for violations made by drivers and motorcyclists that increase the risk of crashes.
The motorcycle safety enforcement operation aims at educating both motorcyclists and drivers on the rules of the road.
Motorcycle fatalities have jumped dramatically in California over the past decade. In 2017, there were 576 people killed in motorcycle crashes statewide, up nearly 17 percent from 494 in 2015. Over the course of the past three years, motorcycle-involved collisions have resulted in five fatal and 99 injury crashes in Oxnard alone.
Drivers should be alert for motorcyclists, as many motorcycle crashes are caused when drivers do not see them. Check your mirrors and blind spots, especially when merging, turning, or changing lanes.
Riders should make themselves visible by wearing brightly colored, protective clothing and keeping lights on during the day. Riders should also change lanes only when there is enough room and always wear a Department of Transportation compliant helmet.
Although lane splitting is now legal, motorcyclists should be extra careful traveling between lanes, avoiding the practice of riding next to large vehicles like big rigs, buses, and motorhomes and factoring in lane width, traffic flow, and roadway conditions.
All motorcycle riders, regardless of skill level, are encouraged to enroll in the California Motorcyclist Safety Program. Information and training locations are available at http://www.californiamotorcyclist.com/Â or calling 1-877 RIDE-411 (1-877-743-3411).
Funding for motorcycle safety enforcement operations are provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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