OFF THE WIRE
FROM ART
Lake Elsinore Police Department Enforcement Campaign
Targeting Motorcycle Safety
Police to increase enforcement aimed at dangerous riders and careless
motorists>
The Lake Elsinore Police Department will be conducting a specialized
Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation on August 22, 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 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.
> Riverside County is not immune to motorcycle fatalities! 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 Lake
> Elsinore Police Department is also reminding all motorists to always be
> alert and watch out for motorcycles, especially when turning and changing
> lanes.>
> California Motorcycle Safety ProgramAnother 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. Riders, young and old, are encouraged to seek training and safety
> information.
> Riders can get training through the California Motorcyclist Safety Program.
> Information and training locations are 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
>
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