OFF THE WIRE
www.ocregister.com/news/police-233327-collisions-motorcyclists.html
Published: Feb. 9, 2010 10:42 a.m.
Police crack down on unsafe motorcyclists and drivers
By ELLYN PAK
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
FOUNTAIN VALLEY Police officials are planning to crack down on traffic
violations by motorcyclists and drivers that commonly lead to
collisions, injuries and deaths.
Extra police officers will patrol areas of the city frequented by
motorcyclists and where crashes occur during the operation Friday.
Motorcycle fatalities have been on the rise in California, increasing
175 percent in the last decade - from 204 killed in 1998 to 560 killed
in 2008, according to police. In the county, there have been 141 fatal
motorcycle collisions and 3,445 injury collisions from 2004 to 2008.
Police attribute crashes to speeding and impairment, inexperience and
improper licensing.
The crackdown is funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic
Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Contact the writer: 714-796-7956 or epak@ocregister.com
