MADERA COUNTY — CHP officers will be out in force along Highway 41 to ensure that motorcyclists “Have a Good Ride” and return home safely from their travels.
May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness month in California, where many traffic collisions end in death or injury as a result of individuals speeding or driving aggressively.
The California Highway Patrol in the Madera and Fresno Areas will deploy additional officers on State Route 41 in an effort to reduce the number of motorcycle incidents or collisions resulting from unsafe speed, following too closely, unsafe lane changes, improper turning, and other primary collision factor violations by motorcyclists and other drivers. The operation will commence on May 21.
To assist the CHP in this traffic safety effort, the aforementioned areas have received a federally-funded grant titled, “Have a Good Ride II.” The CHP Areas will deploy future motorcycle safety enforcement operations through Sept. 30.
California continues to experience high numbers of motorcycle-involved collision deaths and injuries within the California Highway Patrol’s jurisdiction. In 2013, motorcycle-involved fatal and injury collisions increased approximately 4.5 percent and 6.1 percent, respectively, during the previous 12 months.
“A motorcyclist has the same rights, privileges, and responsibilities as any other motorist on the roadway,” says CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow. “The educational efforts supported by this grant will improve safety for motorists as well as motorcyclists.”
The CHP will deploy officers across the state on enhanced motorcycle safety enforcement operations in regions with a high number of motorcycle incidents. Periods of traditionally heavy motorcycle activity such as May — which is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month; Memorial Day — the Fourth of July weekend, and designated motorcycle events in 2016 will also be targeted.
A year-long series of motorcycle traffic safety education events will be held. The campaigns will include Have a Good Ride II public service announcements for radio stations, the Internet, and movie theaters. The PSAs will promote the use of approved helmets for all riders and raise motorists’ awareness of sharing the road with motorcyclists, and remind riders to refrain from speeding, improper turning, and driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
Throughout the HAGR II campaign, the CHP will emphasize the “Share the Road” message. To help get that message across to the motoring public and to reach the goals set for the grant, the CHP, in conjunction with the California Department of Transportation, will display “Share the road – Look twice for motorcyclists” on changeable message signs on highways across California.
Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
