The Debate over “Splitting Lanes” with Motorcyclists
May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month.
San Bernardino Police Crack Down on Law Breaking Motorcyclists
The California Motorcyclist Safety Program is in full swing, and some cities are already seeing increased enforcement as a result. Case in point: San Bernardino. Over the weekend, San Bernardino police took part in a full-fledged motorcycle enforcement operation, intended to make the streets safer for cyclists, as well as other motorists and pedestrians.
Motorcycle Fatalities are on the Rise Again
After a two-year decline in motorcycle fatalities, it appears that the numbers are rising again, this according to The California Office of Traffic Safety. The organization reported recently that 414 motorcycle riders died in California in 2011, an 18 percent increase over the previous year. This is a disturbing trend, and there are no easy answers as to what may be behind the jump.
California Motorcycle Fatalities on the Rise, According to CHP
The California Highway Patrol reports that motorcycle fatalities are on the rise in California. In recent years, we have seen fluctuations in the number of accidents, due to the increased use of cell phones and texting devices, as well as the laws that prohibit such behaviors. Accidents also tend to increase around the holidays, due to greater traffic and a greater number of impaired drivers. But this recent rise is being attributed to other factors entirely.
Michigan Biker Group Claims Fewer Helmets Equals Fewer Deaths
Despite predictions to the contrary, motorcycle fatalities have actually dropped by 7 percent since Detroit abandoned its helmet law and starting allowing cyclists to ride helmet-free, this according to proponents of the newfound freedom.