Police to focus on motorcycle riders and safety violations Motorcycle safety headline from the Riverside Police Department:

OFF THE WIRE
http://www.instantriverside.com/2010/05/riverside-motorcycle-safety/ Police to focus on motorcycle riders and safety violations Motorcycle safety headline from the Riverside Police Department:
The Riverside Police Department will be conducting a specialized Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation on May 22. 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 as well as other vehicle drivers that can lead to motorcycle collisions, injuries and fatalities.
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. In a five year span from 2004 to 2008, Riverside County accrued a total of 142 fatalities and 2,520 injuries from motorcycle crashes.
Factors contributing to motorcycle crashes very often include speeding and impairment due to alcohol and other drugs by motorcyclists. The Riverside Police Department is also reminding all motorists to always be alert and watch out for motorcycles, especially when turning and changing lanes.
Another major factor leading to motorcycle crashes is inexperience. Many people are riding motorcycles without the proper motorcycle license endorsement and without the skills necessary to ride safely. In 2008, 37% of motorcycle operators killed were not properly licensed. Improper licensing is a greater problem among younger riders, where 63% of the 16-24 year old operators killed were not properly licensed.
Rider’s can get training through the California Motorcyclist Safety Program. Information on training locations is available at by calling 1-877 RIDE 411.