Orange County Sheriff’s Department Increases Patrol to Highlight Motorcycle Safety

An Orange County Sheriff's Department vehicle responds to a call in Stanton, Calif., on Aug. 5, 2020. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

A higher number of Orange County Sheriff deputies were scheduled to be on patrol June 6 to catch traffic violations made by motorcyclists and those driving cars in an effort to reduce motorcycle-related crashes in the Southern California county.

A June 4 press release from the county sheriff’s office reported the increase in patrols would occur in San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point, and Mission Viejo.

According to spokesperson Sgt. Mike Woodroof, extra deputies in motor vehicles across the county would be assigned to participate in this enforcement.

“The emphasis on motorcycle safety, even just for one day, is an effort of hope through police encounters to minimize the horrific outcomes a motorcycle crash can cause to the operator, but also to those other individuals, drivers and witnesses, who will forever be changed by the incident,” Woodroof told The Epoch Times.

The department conducts this type of enforcement throughout the year, changing which cities are targeted each time, so they can focus on a specific city for a whole day.

Motorcyclists are 28 times more likely than vehicle users to die in crashes, according to the Sheriff’s Department, due to the lack of vehicle protection.

The aftermath of an accident remains in the road after a California Highway Patrol motorcycle officer collided with a car in Brentwood, Calif., on May 18, 2013. Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

According to the latest available records in 2021 from the Department of Motorized Vehicles, there are over 60,000 registered motorcycles in the county, compared to over 2.2 million registered vehicles.

According to the press release, drivers can help prevent motorcycle crashes by always checking twice in rear view mirrors and blind spots, using signals when changing lanes, keeping a safe distance when following a motorcycle, and allowing enough space when turning at an intersection.

Motorcyclists can increase their chances of survival in a crash by wearing approved protective gear such as a U.S. Department of Transportation compliant helmet, gloves, and leather clothing.

To lessen the chance of a crash, motorcyclists can also add reflective tape to their clothing and keep their lights on—even during the day—to make it easier for drivers to see them.

The Sheriff’s Department also discourages lane splitting at high speeds in free-flowing traffic or between large vehicles such as motorhomes or semi-trucks.

The California Motorcyclist Safety Program is offered by the California Highway Patrol to all motorcyclists—regardless of skill level—to train them on motorcycle safety on the road.