Police officers throughout the nation are charged with protecting the safety of individuals in their community. The city of Pittsburgh is not an exception. There are times in which providing this protection actually leads to a law enforcement officer being injured him or herself. This recently happened to a Pittsburgh motorcycle officer.

The police officer was involved in a motorcycle accident earlier this month while trying to prevent local bicyclists from being injured. The fact the officer was even at the accident site was because of past issues involving bicyclists and automobiles. The area in which he was patrolling, around the intersection of Penn Avenue and North Lexington Street, had previously been the scene of multiple accidents, some fatal.

The officer was struck by a SUV that apparently turned in front of him as he rode his motorcycle. The collision caused the man's motorcycle to fall over. Following the incident the law enforcement officer was taken to an area hospital. Though he did not appear to be hurt, he was checked over anyway. The occupants of the SUV that hit the officer were not hurt.

Pittsburgh has recognized issues bicyclists and drivers of motor vehicles are having. As a result, earlier this spring, a law was passed that laid out the following guidelines:

• Motorists need to allow at least four feet between their vehicles and cyclists when passing.
• Drivers of motor vehicles cannot cut off bicyclists by turning in front of them.
• Bicyclists need to stay as close to the right shoulder as possible when riding down the street.

The outcome of this accident could have been much worse. It is a good reminder of how important it is for all who share the road to be aware of those around them. Taking the time to do so could greatly reduce the number of motor vehicle accidents of all types.

Source: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, "In enforcing cyclists' safety, officer injured on Penn Avenue," Liz Navratil, Aug. 3, 2012