Local law enforcement teams up for motorcycle awareness month in May

The Bakersfield Police Department and California Office of Traffic Safety are teaming up with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in May for motorcycle awareness month. 

Law enforcement chose to team up in order to reduce motorcycle crashes and saves lives. 

The campaign being launched also aims to educate vehicle drivers and motorcyclists on how each can be more aware of others. 

Law enforcement will be deploying saturation patrols throughout the May to enforce traffic violations by drivers and motorcyclists. 

The Bakersfield Police Department has the following general tips for drivers to prevent a fatal crash with a motorcycle.

• Always use a turn signal when changing lanes or merging with traffic.
• If you see a motorcycle with a signal on, be careful: motorcycle signals are often non-cancelling and could have been forgotten. Always ensure that the motorcycle is turning before proceeding. 
• Stay alert; check all mirrors and blind spots for motorcycles before changing lanes or merging with traffic. 
• Always allow more following distance, follow at a safe distance when behind a motorcycle. This gives them more time to maneuver or stop in an emergency.
• Never drive distracted or impaired. 

Motorcyclists can increase their safety by following the following steps, according to BPD.

• Wear a DOT-compliant helmet and other protective gear
• Ride safely when lane sharing and always proceed at safe speeds
• Obey all traffic laws and be properly licensed
• Use turn signals at every lane change or turn
• Wear brightly colored clothes and reflective tape to increase visibility
•  Ride safely when lane sharing and always proceed at safe speeds
• Never ride distracted or impaired