May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and the Ventura Police Department encourages the community to think about the safety of riders on two wheels and look twice for motorcycles.
“Motorcycle riders are often much harder to see than residents in four-wheeled vehicles,” said Traffic Unit Sergeant Michael Brown said. “Drivers and riders should take extra precautions by keeping their distance and watching their speed.”
With nearly 900,000 registered motorcycles in California, many road users are going places without the same protections as drivers. Motorcycle riders are 28 times more likely to die in a traffic collision than vehicle occupants.
To help further protect our community, keep the following tips in mind while driving or riding throughout the city:
Drivers:
- Always check twice for motorcycles, both your mirrors and blind spots.
- Always use your signal when changing lanes.
- Never follow a motorcycle too closely.
Motorcyclists:
- Always wear a DOT compliant helmet and protective gear like gloves and leather clothing. DOT-certified helmets are designed to absorb the force of a crash, rather than resisting the impact.
- Consider adding reflective tape to your clothing to make it easier for drivers to see you.
- 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.
- Lastly, never drive or ride under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. To learn more about the Office of Traffic Safety grant and VPD’s educational efforts, contact Emily Graves, Community Outreach Specialist for the Ventura Police Department, at [email protected].
