SANTA MONICA­—The Santa Monica Police Department will be conducting a Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation on July 6 in an effort to decrease the level of crashes and deadly accidents. The police department will increase patrolling of areas that are frequented by motorcyclists where fatal crashes have occurred.

Authorities will be on the lookout for those who are under influence of alcohol and drugs, making illegal u-turns or any other violations. The SMPF will not only focus on motorcycles, but also trucks and cars as well.

According to a press release from the SMPD, the level of fatalities have dropped by 37 percent from 2008 to 2010. In 2012, the level of fatalities rose by 23 percent. According to the California Collision Data, the main causes of collisions are due to speeding, unsafe turns, alcohol impairment, and impairment by other drugs.

The police department is emphasizing that drivers and motorcyclists to be alert. Car drivers, and truck drivers should be more careful when making turns and changing lanes.  As the number of motorcyclists rise, there could be additional novice drivers on the road, who lack enough experience and training. Drivers should share responsibility to make the road safer for everyone.

The SMPD reminds drivers and motorcyclists that splitting lane driving is legal, as long as it is done in a safe and sensible way. To learn more about the guidelines for splitting lane, please visit www.ots.ca.gov/lanesplittinggeneralguidelines.pdff or more information.

Riders can get training at California Motorcyclist Safety Program, where they can learn to be safe and earn more experience to be driving on the road. For information about the program, please visit www.CA-msp.org or call 1-877 RIDE 411 or 1-877-743-3411.

Please contact Sergeant Phillbo Rubish of Santa Monica Police Department’s Traffic Division at 310-458-8950 for more information.