Motorcycle riders beware: extra sheriff's deputies will be on patrol Thursday searching for unsafe drivers in Norwalk. The beefed up patrol comes as Norwalk works to improve motorcycle safety in the city. Last year, 21 traffic collisions involved a motorcycle.

Additional deputies will be patrolling areas "frequented by motorcyclists and where motorcycle crashes occur," city officials said.

Deputies will be looking for unsafe driving by motorcyclists and other drivers in other vehicles, including speeding and illegal turns. They will also search for signs that the driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

State collision data reveals that primary causes of motorcycle-involved crashes include speeding, unsafe turning and impairment due to alcohol and drugs.

The Norwalk Sheriff's Department also reminded drivers to always be alert and watch out for motorcycles, especially when turning and changing lanes.

"As the economy turns upward, there will likely be more miles driven by all vehicles, plus more novice motorcycle riders who are untrained and unable to handle the power of today's motorcycles," city officials said in a statement.

Funding for the extra patrol comes from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.