CA: Checkpoints Bakersfield FYI~

OFF THE WIRE
http://www.kget.com/news/local/story/Police-increasing-patrols-for-motorcycle-safety/RX4_l1VbbEuiwfu4iXpnNw.csp

Police increasing patrols for motorcycle safety
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 Published: 8/29 4:29 pm Share Updated: 8/29 4:36 pmWayne Gallagher has been riding motorcycles all his life. He says the years of thrills have been mixed with the sadness of saying goodbye. "I've buried my fair share of friends."
Reckless driving, either from motorcyclists or others on the road has caused motorcycle fatalities to go up 175% in California since 2001. Bakersfield Police Sergeant Melvin Johnson says that didn't have to happen. "We believe it's preventable obviously it comes down to the motorcyclists abilities and to everyone sharing the road and obeying the rules of the road."
But according to Gallagher that rarely happens. He says he gets cut off or nearly hit dozens of times daily. In 2006, a reckless driver nearly cost him his life. "I had a guy turn left in front of me took me out woke up in he middle of the street with a helicopter in front of me and I was in the hospital for a week and rehab for 18 weeks it was tough," says Gallagher.
Bakersfield Police have been encouraging motorcycle safety by cracking down on reckless or negligent driving behavior. Gallagher is glad about BPD's campaign, but says it's only a matter of time until another driver loses their life. "It's going to cost somebody some day. I don't think people realize that there's no such thing as a fender bender of a motorcycle there will be blood."

http://www.bakersfield.com/blogs/breaking_news/x254542869/Motorcycle-safety-and-DUI-patrol-leads-to-30-citations
Motorcycle safety and DUI patrol leads to 30 citations


The Bakersfield Police Department cited 30 out of 39 drivers and motorcyclists stopped Sunday during a citywide Motorcycle Safety/DUI Saturation Patrol, a department release said.
The patrol took place between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. and targeted motorcycle riders and motorists who displayed possible impairment or violated rules of the road that tend to lead to collisions with motorcyclists, the release said.
Drivers and riders were cited for violations which inlcuded not wearing a proper helmet, speeding, running red lights and using a cell phone while driving, the release said.
According to the release, none of those cited during the patrol displayed symptoms of impairment.