With the 5th annual MotoGP World Championship in Laguna Seca to open Thursday and the influx of motorcycles is already very obvious in the Monterey bay area. With so many motorcycles, and the mix of race fans and 4th of July revelers, law enforcement officials urge motorists to be extra cautious throughout this weekend. During last years event 1033 traffic citations were issued by the CHP alone. 350 of those were to motorcyclists.

“We want everyone to be hyper-vigilant,” said Sgt. Ray Faulk of the California Highway Patrol. “We will be out there to take appropriate action”, “Enjoy it at the track and enjoy watching it,” he said. “Don’t be trying that stuff out on the highway.”

Sgt. Faulk also said the main targets the CHP will be watching for are speeders, seat belt infractions and drunk drivers along with tailgaters and passing violations.

They will be especially watching motorcycles passing on the right shoulder and lane splitting at higher speeds. He also urges drivers of autos to pay special attention when changing lanes, pulling into traffic and making left turns. Faulk said of motorcyclists, “If they are involved in an accident they are more likely to be injured”.

I myself have personal experience in… Read the complete article, CHP to step up patrols during 2009 Laguna Seca