Rohnert Park Officers To Patrol For Motorcycle Safety Violations

ROHNERT PARK, CA — The Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety announced it will have extra officers on patrol Saturday to enforce motorcycle safety within the city.

Between 10 a.m and 6 p.m., officers will be on the lookout for violations made by drivers and motorcyclists alike that increase the risk of crashes.

"With nearly 900,000 registered motorcycles in the state, many road users are going places without the same protections as drivers," Rohnert Park police said in a news release. "Motorcycle riders are 28 times more likely to die in a crash than vehicle occupants."

According to Rohnert Park police, the following tips should be kept in mind while driving or riding:

Drivers

• 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.

Motorcyclists

• 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.
• Keep your lights on at all times, 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, and Rohnert Park Public Safety recognizes the need to protect the public by looking for violations made by drivers and riders that put the public at further risk."

Funding for motorcycle safety enforcement operations is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Rohnert Park police said.