SKAGIT COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Extra patrols will be on the road as an annual motorcycle ride gets underway.

The Washington Traffic Safety Commission says that the patrols coincide with the 43rd Annual Oyster Run, which runs Friday, Sept. 25 through Sunday, Sept. 27 in Anacortes.

Deputies from Island, Skagit and Whatcom counties, Washington State Patrol troopers and Anacortes Police officers are among those participating in the patrols.

Law enforcement will be targeting illegal driving behaviors across all vehicles.

The Traffic Safety Commission reports motorcycle fatalities dropped for the second year in a row, and they’re hopeful that this weekend’s patrols will keep those numbers low.

In Whatcom County, motorcyclist fatalities peaked in 2022 before steadily declining. A majority of those fatal accidents involved a speeding driver or rider, while nearly half of them involved someone under the influence.

The Traffic Safety Commission is encouraging riders to take additional training classes to keep themselves and others safe on the road.