Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Underway In RivCo: What Drivers, Riders Need To Know

MENIFEE, CA — The Menifee Police Department will have extra officers on patrol this month, seeking drivers and motorcyclists who are violating laws that increase the risk of crashes.

With nearly 900,000 registered motorcycles in the state, many road users are going places without the same
protection as drivers. Motorcycle riders are 28 times more likely to die in a crash than vehicle occupants.

The special enforcement date is Wednesday, June 25; however, officers are out and about keeping watch and making the roads safe for all, according to Menifee Police Sgt. Dan Beare.

To help protect you and your family, keep the following tips in mind while driving or riding:

• Always check twice for motorcycles in your mirrors and blind spots.
• Use your signal when changing lanes.
• Never follow a motorcycle too closely. Always keep a safe distance
• When at an intersection, allow enough space before turning.

• Always wear a DOT-compliant helmet and protective gear like gloves and leather clothing.
• Consider adding reflective tape to your clothing to make it easier for other drivers to see you.
• Always keep your lights on, even during the day.
• Don’t assume drivers see you: signal well in advance before changing lanes and watch for turning vehicles.
• Although lane splitting is legal, the practice is not encouraged at high speeds in free-flowing traffic, or between large vehicles like big rigs and motor homes.

The safety of the community remains our top priority," Beare said, and the Menifee Police Department recognizes the need to protect the public by identifying violations made by drivers and riders that put the public at further risk.

Funding for motorcycle safety enforcement operations is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.