Las Vegas, NV - Rash of motorcycle officer crashes draws attention to growing problem..

OFF THE WIRE
This is like a brain teaser in that there are so many ways to look at it.
http://www.ktnv.com/story/14644029/rash-of-motorcycle-officer-crashes-draws-attention-to-growing-problem
Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) – A North Las Vegas police officer struck by a driver under the influence of drugs remains in stable but serious condition in intensive care at UMC Hospital.
Thursday's accident is the latest in a series of accidents involving motorcycle officers.
The rash of crashes is a big concern for all law enforcement agencies that have many of their officers patrolling the Las Vegas Valley on motorcycles. At this point, they're wondering what it's going to take for drivers to behave more responsibly behind the wheel.
Being a motorcycle officer is one of the riskiest jobs within an already dangerous profession.
"They're on these motorcycles nine or ten hours a day in regular traffic," says North Las Vegas Public Information Officer Chrissie Coon.
Aside from their helmet, traffic officers have little protection when it comes to crashes. Thursday's collision near Carey and Commerce in North Las Vegas proves this to be the case.
According to police, a driver swerved in front of the officer's bike, sending him airborne. He then landed on the pavement.
"When the 32-year-old motorcycle struck the car, it ejected the officer and he vaulted over the vehicle," explains Officer Coon.
As the officer was transported to UMC Hospital, the driver, identified as 24-year-old Jalinda Oliver, was transported to the North Las Vegas Detention Center. Police suspect she was under the influence of an illegal drug.
This marks the fourth serious crash involving motorcycle officers within a month.
On April 14, a pick-up truck plowed into an officer on his bike near Town Square, sending him to the hospital with a punctured lung and a dislocated knee. The driver was arrested for DUI.
Two weeks later, an SUV struck a motorcycle officer near Decatur and Ann. He suffered broken bones.
And on May 3, another motorcycle cop was hit near St. Louis and McLeod.
While drugs and alcohol tend to be factors in accidents involving motorcycle officers, officials say carelessness is what usually puts them all at risk.
"Inattentive drivers not paying attention and they don't see motorcyclists, they are the ones causing the problems."
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department says it has had a total of 10 motorcycle fatalities as of 2011. The deaths were civilians, not officers.
Police want to make a point to remind drivers to please check their blind spots for all motorcyclists, both civilians and officers.