Motorcycle Safety Patrols to increase the rest of the summer

There will be an increase of safety patrols in Clark County with an emphasis on reducing crashes involving motorcyclists.

More motorcycles are on the roads in the summer months, and Target Zero is looking out for the riders.

Clark County is using education for both motorcycle operators and other vehicle drivers to address motorcycle fatalities and serious injuries. Major risk factors are: impairment by drugs and/or alcohol, speeding, lane departure, and improper passing.

Clark County law enforcement agencies participating in extra Motorcycle Safety Patrols are: Clark County Sheriff’s Office; Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency, Battle Ground Police Department, Ridgefield Police Department, Vancouver Police Department, and Washington State Patrol.

These extra law enforcement patrols sponsored by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission are part of Target Zero — a campaign striving to end traffic deaths and serious injuries on Washington’s roadways. 

The federal government notes that per vehicle mile traveled the number of fatalities on motorcycles is more than 26 times the number of people traveling in cars. 

In the past five years, an average of 88 motorcyclists have died on Washington Roads, according to Targets Zero, and 70 percent of the fatalities were due to motorcycle rider errors. 

Still, Target Zero also wants to inform those driving in cars to be on the lookout for motorcycles. Take that extra look before pulling onto a main road, for example. Double-check blind spots. 

Here is a video Clark County Today produced last summer: