With more than 1.4 million Californians licensed to ride motorcycles for work, weekend getaways, or entertainment, the California Highway Patrol looks for opportunities to emphasize motorcycle safety.

The CHP has been awarded a grant from California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to develop the Have A Good Ride IV program, promoting motorcycle safety and awareness.

The HAGR IV program’s goals are to reduce the number of motorcycle-involved collisions and victims of these collisions, statewide. In Federal Fiscal Year 2015, the number of motorcycle-involved collision victims increased approximately four percent over the previous year.

Provisional FFY 2016 data for motorcycle-involved collision victims shows a 10 percent increase within CHP jurisdiction.

“With a combination of grant-funded education and enforcement efforts, we work to raise awareness and reinforce the concept of sharing the road in order to save lives,” CHP Acting Commissioner Warren Stanley said. “Without a continued focus on motorcycle education and enforcement, these numbers may continue to rise.”

The CHP will deploy officers on enhanced motorcycle safety enforcement operations in regions with a high number of motorcycle incidents. A year-long series of motorcycle traffic safety education campaigns, including the “May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month,” is planned. The campaigns will promote the use of properly approved helmets for all riders and raise motorists’ awareness of sharing the road with motorcyclists. The campaigns will also focus on the most dangerous traffic violations, including speeding, improper turning, and driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.