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Breaking news: Dangerous motorcyclists targeted
State and local police today announced "Operation Rogue Rider" targeting motorcyclists who ride dangerously on the Edens Expressway through Skokie and Lincolnwood.
Responding to "nightly calls reporting rogue riders and unsafe driving conditions," officials will focus on motorcyclists speeding, racing, improperly changing lanes or riding on the shoulder, according to the Illinois State Police.
ISP officers will be aided by police from Skokie and Lincolnwood for the summer-long operation, using roving saturation patrols mostly during the evening and late-night "speeders, ragers and rogue riders," police said.
In the first six months of this year, the Chicago area has seen 13 fatalities and seven injuries in motorcycle-related crashes, which is an 85 percent increase in fatalities and a 75 percent increase in injuries over the same period last year, the ISP said.
"Whether a motorist is inside a vehicle or riding a motorcycle, throttling up to increase speed or racing on the expressways puts everyone involved in danger," Skokie Police Chief Anthony Scarpelli said in a release.
Anyone charged with reckless driving could face up to a year in jail and fines up to $2,500, police said.
"Motorcyclists have a simple choice in the matter -- violated the law and face hefty fines and jail time, or abide by the law and ride safely," acting ISP District Chicago Lt. Jeff Grendzinski said. "Our top priority is for motorists to get to their final destination safely, and by implementing this enforcement plan, we save lives and prevent driving fatalities."