CHP Addresses Motorcycle Safety With Federal Funds

SAN JOSE, CA -- The California Highway Patrol is using a federal grant to promote motorcycle safety throughout the state, with the goal of reducing the most dangerous traffic violations which are speeding, improper turning, and driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

"Motorcycle safety all through the Bay Area is a pretty big concern for us being California is the only state that allows lane splitting," CHP San Jose spokesman Ross Lee said. Lane splitting allows motorcycle riders to move in and out of traffic lanes riding between vehicles.

"It's something we take seriously," Lee said, adding if anything because his South Bay territory is "so highly condensed" with vehicles.

There are more than 1.4 million people with a motorcycle license in the state. The education campaign is called GEARS, or Get Educated and Ride Safe.

The year-long campaign will include the CHP deploying officers on enhanced motorcycle safety enforcement operations in regions with a high number of motorcycle incidents. There will be a series of motorcycle traffic safety education campaigns, including the May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Officers plan to stress the use of properly approved helmets for all riders and raise motorists’ awareness of sharing the road with motorcyclists.

The number of motorcyclist victims increased approximately 9 percent in federal fiscal year 2016 compared to the previous year. However, provisional data from 2017 for motorcyclist victims shows a 6 percent decrease within the CHP’s jurisdiction.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

--Image courtesy of California Highway Patrol