SPOKANE, Wash. — The Spokane Police Department is joining a statewide motorcycle safety initiative this weekend, with officers paying extra attention to reckless riding and driving behavior that endangers motorcyclists.
The traffic unit will pull over both motorcyclists and drivers who violate safety rules, though the consequences for breaking traffic laws will remain the same. The effort, coordinated by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, comes as local motorcycle safety experts stress the importance of vigilance on the road.
Ray Haldeman, a two- and three-wheel instructor at Spokane MotorSchool who has taught motorcycle classes for two decades, said awareness is critical for preventing accidents.
“When we become stagnant or we’re satisfied with where we’re at, that’s when we get into trouble,” Haldeman said.
Spokane MotorSchool uses hands-on training to teach riders the fundamentals of safe motorcycle operation. Students and instructors work to build the skills necessary to navigate traffic safely.
For motorcyclists, the school recommends several steps to reduce risk on the road. Riders should be aware of their own skill limitations and their motorcycle’s capabilities. Understanding potential hazards around them is equally important. The school also suggests motorcyclists ride in groups and find experienced mentors to help guide their development as riders.
Drivers play an equally important role in keeping motorcyclists safe. The school emphasizes the importance of sharing the road and looking twice for motorcycles, which can be difficult to spot in traffic due to their smaller profile.
Jeff Klar, owner of Spokane MotorSchool, said fatal motorcycle crashes have a profound impact on riders.
“We are a small community, so it affects all of us when a motorcyclist goes down or there’s a fatality that happens,” Klar said.
As motorcycle season continues, Haldeman encourages both riders and drivers to work together to reduce accidents.
“There’s risk in everything that the world offers,” Haldeman said. “It’s just a matter of ‘What can you do to lessen those risks?'”
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