LAPD -mc enforcement 2/21/10

OFF THE WIRE
www.ethiopianreview.com/news/33316
Los Angeles Police Department to increase enforcement toward dangerous
riders and other motorist driving carelessly

Los Angeles Police Dept. | February 17th, 2010 at 10:22 am

Los Angeles: The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) will be
conducting a specialized Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation on
Sunday, February 21, 2010. Extra officers will be on duty patrolling
areas frequented by motorcyclists and where crashes occur. Officers will
be cracking down on traffic violations made by motorcyclists, and other
vehicle drivers, that lead to fatal and injury motorcycle traffic
collisions.

Motorcycle fatalities have been on the rise in California, increasing
91% from 275 killed in 2000 to 533 killed in 2008. Fatal motorcycle
traffic collisions in Los Angeles County have increased 62% from 70 in
2004, to 114 in 2008, and injury motorcycle collisions have increased
47% from 1,996 to 2,927 in the same period.

Factors contributing to motorcycle crashes include speeding and
impairment due to alcohol and/or other drugs by motorcyclists and other
drivers.

The Los Angeles Police Department is reminding all motorists to always
be alert and watch out for motorcycles, especially when turning and
changing lanes.

Another major factor leading to fatal and injury motorcycle collisions
is inexperience. Riders, young and old, are encouraged to seek training
and safety information. Many people are riding motorcycles without the
proper motorcycle license and without the skills necessary to ride
safely.

It is every motorcyclist's responsibility to be properly licensed and
have the skills necessary to ride safely. Rider's can receive training
through the California Motorcyclist Safety Program, and information is
available at www.CA-msp.org or 1-877 RIDE 411 or 1-877-743-3411.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California
Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration.

For further information, please contact Officer Don Inman, Traffic
Coordination Section, at 213-486-0703.
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www.dailybreeze.com/latestnews/ci_14416657

LAPD targets motorcyclists in new safety program
From wire service reports
Posted: 02/17/2010 07:15:06 AM PST

Extra police officers will patrol areas of Los Angeles where motorcycle
crashes often occur as part of a specialized motorcycle safety
enforcement operation Sunday.

Police are concerned by a 62 percent rise in motorcyclist fatalities
from 2004 to 2008 in Los Angeles County. Injuries involving motorcycle
collisions have increased 47 percent during the same period.

Speeding and alcohol and drug consumption by motorcyclists and other
motorists are contributing to the increase in crashes, police said.

Inexperience is another factor leading to fatal and injury motorcycle
collisions. Many people ride without the proper licensing and skills,
police said.