Glendale Police Press Releases

Motorcycle Safety

Date Posted:8/11/2010 12:50:22 PM
Bulletin Number:10-66
DR Number:10-66
Announcement:CONTACT:
Sergeant Dennis Smith
(818) 548-3174
DSmith@ci.glendale.ca.us

Glendale Police Department Enforcement Campaign
Targeting Motorcycle Safety

Police to increase enforcement aimed at dangerous riders and careless motorists

The Glendale Police Department will be conducting a specialized Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation on Sunday, August 29, 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 all vehicle operators---motorcyclists, and other vehicle drivers--- that lead to motorcycle collisions, injuries and fatalities.

While motorcycle fatalities had been on the rise in California, increasing 175 percent in the last decade, from 204 killed in 1998 to 560 killed in 2008, preliminary numbers for 2009 show that the trend may be changing. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is reporting that California may see a 20% reduction in motorcyclists killed. There were 4 motorcyclists killed and 139 injured in the City of Glendale from 2003 to 2009..

High-performance “Super Sport” motorcycles are popular with younger riders. These powerful motorcycles make up only 14% of the registered motorcycles in California, yet they represent 37% of the motorcycles involved in fatal crashes (FARS, DMV). Super Sport motorcycles are more likely to be crashed in the first year of use than all other types of bikes. This, combined with the fact that riders under age 25 who are involved in fatal crashes are less likely to be properly licensed (60% compared to 37% overall), indicates that many young riders lack the experience and skills necessary to safely operate these fast, high-horsepower machines.

The Glendale Police Department is encouraging new riders who are purchasing motorcycles to buy a bike that is appropriate for their skill and experience level, to be properly licensed and to seek out professional training that includes risk awareness and risk management.

It is every motorcyclist’s responsibility to be properly licensed and have the skills necessary to ride safely. Rider’s can get 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.

Motorcycle Safety Facts:

• Motorcycle fatalities continued to spiral upward from 276 in 2000, to 518 in 2007, and to 560 in 2008.**
• Motorcycle fatalities have increased 10 consecutive years and are at their highest level since 1990.
• Total motorcycle registrations increased 7% from 772,524 in 2007 to 824,244 in 2008. (DMV)
• Riders without the proper motorcycle license, may be subject to motorcycle impound for up to 30 days.

• In 2008, 37% of motorcycle operators killed were not properly licensed – up from 36% in 2007.**

• Improper licensing is a greater problem among younger riders, where 63% of the 16-24 year old operators killed in 2008 were not properly licensed

• Of the 560 motorcyclists killed, at least 12% (68) were un-helmeted. Since helmets are about 39% effective in preventing fatalities, NHTSA estimates that 26 of the 68 un-helmeted motorcyclists killed would have survived had they worn a helmet.**

• In 2008, 70% of motorcycle operators killed were at fault and 58% of motorcycle operators injured were at fault.*

• The percent of motorcycle operators killed with a BAC =.08+ increased from 24% in 2007 to 26% in 2008.**

• Super sport motorcycles, defined as consumer, street-legal versions of the motorcycles used by factory racing teams, account for 14% of the registered motorcycles in California, yet the 211 super sport drivers and passengers killed in 2008 accounted for 38% of the 560 motorcyclists killed in California.**

*Data Source – Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS)
**Data Source – Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS)
Motorcycle Safety Tips

Tips for drivers to help keep motorcyclists safe on our roadways:

* Always make a visual check for motorcycles by checking mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic and at intersections;

* Always signal your intentions before changing lanes or merging with traffic;

* Don’t be fooled by a flashing turn signal on a mo¬torcycle – motorcycle signals are often not self-canceling and riders sometimes forget to turn them off. Wait to be sure the motorcycle is going to turn before you proceed;

* Allow more following distance, three or four sec¬onds, when behind a motorcycle so the motorcyclist has enough time to maneuver or stop in an emer¬gency. And don’t tailgate. In dry conditions, motorcycles can stop more quickly than cars.

*Never drive while distracted.
Motorcyclists can increase their safety by:

* Positioning themselves in the lane where they will be most visible to other drivers.
* Never driving while impaired.

* Wearing a DOT-compliant helmet;

* Use your motorcycle’s turn signals; it is California law. Combine hand signals and turn signals to draw more attention to yourself.

* Combining hand signals and turn signals to draw more attention to themselves;

* Avoiding riding in poor weather conditions;

* Wearing brightly colored protective gear;

* Using reflective tape and stickers to increase conspicuity; and

The message to all drivers and motorcyclists is: Help to share in the responsibility and do your part by safely “sharing the road.”