Police to increase motorcycle safety patrols

OFF THE WIRE
FOUNTAIN VALLEY -CA– Police will be on the lookout Friday for dangerous motorcycle riders and careless motorists, stepping up patrols in areas where crashes frequently occur.

Extra officers from the Fountain Valley Police Department will take part in the special Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation, looking out for traffic violations made by motorcyclists as well as those made by other drivers that can lead to a collision.

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Police say motorcycle fatalities in California are on the rise, pointing to statistics showing an increase of 175 percent in the past decade, from 204 fatalities statewide in 1998 to 560 in 2008. In Orange County alone, there were 141 fatal and 3,445 non-fatal motorcycle collisions in the five year period from 2004 through 2008.

Among the factors authorities attributed to motorcycle crashes are speeding, alcohol or drug use, inattentive drivers and inexperienced motorcyclists. They remind drivers to stay alert and watch for motorcyclists, especially when turning or changing lanes.

Funding for the Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation is coming from a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The program also provides training for motorcycle riders. For more information, go to www.ca-msp.org or call 1-877-743-3411.

Contact the writer: 714-796-7939 or semery@ocregister.com