By Lookout Staff
May 6, 2026 -- With temperatures warming this month, more motorcycles are taking to the roads, and drivers need to be extra alert to avoid serious crashes.
During Motorcycle Awareness Month in May, Police Department officials are reminding drivers that "taking a few extra seconds to look twice can prevent a tragedy."
Drivers should keep in mind that motorcycles may be difficult to spot and their riders don't have the same protections as drivers and passengers.
Police officials advise drivers to "always check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes" and "not follow a motorcycle too closely" but "always keep a safe distance."
"If you see a motorcycle with a signal on, be careful. Be sure that the rider is turning before moving ahead," police advise.
The dangers of riding on two wheels exposed at high speeds is borne out by the latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
In 2023, there were 6,335 motorcyclists killed in traffic crashes in the U.S., representing 15 percent of total highway fatalities. In California, 583 motorcyclists were killed that year.
That marks the highest number of such deaths since the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began tracking fatal motor vehicle crashes in 1975.
The increase in fatalities was in part due to a decrease in the use of motorcycle helmets, which help protect riders from head injuries that are a major cause of death.
Motorcyclists should always wear a U.S. DOT-compliant helmet with eye protection, as well as "leather or other sturdy clothing such as a jacket, pants, boots with nonskid soles and gloves."
Riders can add reflective strips or decals to their clothing and motorcycle to make it easier for other drivers to see them.
Motorcyclists should also drive defensively and not assume a driver can see them. They also should avoid riding in a driver’s blind spot and always keep their lights on, even during the day.
Both drivers and riders should never drive or ride distracted or under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.
Funding for the program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.