LAFAYETTE, La. ( KLFY )– With the recent death of a Maurice man involved in a fatal crash with a truck and a motorcycle, News 10 spoke with a motorcycle officer who reminds motorists of road safety.

“Just be patient. Remember, we all have loved ones to go home to, and just take your time. Get home safely,” Corporal Jeromy Sanford with the Lafayette Police Department said.

Sanford explained Thursday, May 2 at approximately 7:48 p.m. officers with the Lafayette Police Department Patrol division responded to the 4000 block of Ambassador Caffrey at Dover Boulevard involving a vehicle crash of a motorcycle and a pickup truck. Upon the officer’s arrival, it was learned that the motorcyclist Ronnie Lee Trahan, 34, of Maurice was declared dead on the scene.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the pickup truck failed to yield while making a left turn across the path of the motorcycle traveling southbound,” he said.

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LPD investigated 9 fatal crashes one involving a motorcycle this year. Being a motorcycle rider himself who rides on duty and off duty. He shared some advice.

1. Attend an approved motorcycle safety course.
2. Wear proper motorcycle gear and reflective or light-colored clothing, especially at night
3. Check the weather
4. Obey all traffic signs and signals

“As of recently, most of us have experienced dense fog in our areas. Some people aren’t aware that when you’re riding a motorcycle that you’re not as visible as you would be in a car. So be cautious of that. Be cautious of the rain, and oil slicks,” Sanford said.

He added that if you’re riding in the direction of the sun and it’s rising, it causes glare to most drivers behind you and they may not see you breaking.

Sanford said it is important to obey all traffic signs and signals and do not drive recklessly.

“We have some guys on motorcycles who lane split,” Sanford said. “Split lane splitting is traveling down a divided lane between vehicles. A lot of drivers can’t see you if you’re in your blind spot, which causes some collisions.”

He highlights not doing motorcycle wheelies and speeding.

“Here in Louisiana, we don’t have the best roads,” Sanford said. “We have potholes, We have uneven surfaces, and even the best riders those things can cause accidents. We’ve had many accidents as well where the driver of a vehicle couldn’t see the motorcyclist because it was faced upwards with the headlight facing towards the sky. They can’t see the vehicle.”

“Here in Lafayette, there’s so much traffic that’s going to lessen your reaction time to be able to avoid not even just other vehicles, but road hazards, debris, and any of those,” he said regarding speeding.

Sanford said they watch for motorcyclists who drive recklessly.

“Our objective is to make sure that they get home safe and the other drivers get home safe and there are no accidents. We’re constantly patrolling and staying on top of it,” he said.

For drivers, he said, “Take your time. Be patient. Look both ways before you make turns. I know we all have somewhere to be and the traffic’s not always the best, but I say take that extra second and look both ways. Get home safely.”

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