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Stockton Police Department Working To Improve Motorcycle Safety
by Linda Park,
Police to increase enforcement aimed at dangerous riders and careless motorists
The Stockton Police Department will be conducting a specialized Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation on Saturday, August 25th, in an effort to continue lowering deaths and injuries. Extra officers will be on duty patrolling areas frequented by motorcyclists and where motorcycle crashes occur. Officers will be looking for drivers and riders who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol and cracking down on traffic violations made by regular vehicle drivers as well as motorcyclists that can lead to motorcycle collisions, injuries and fatalities.
After ten years of steadily increasing motorcycle fatalities in California, increasing 175 percent from 204 killed in 1998 to 560 killed in 2008, the trend has changed. Two consecutive years of fewer motorcycle fatalities – 394 in 2009 and 352 in 2010 – have resulted in a 37 percent decrease since the 2008 peak. This is positive trend that we want to see continue.
There have been 9 motorcycle fatalities and 247 persons injured in motorcycle crashes over the past 5 years in Stockton. “Like the rest of the state, Stockton has seen a decrease in persons injured in accidents over the past 3 years but we are still seeing several fatal collisions a year” said Sergeant Lance Baur, Stockton Police Traffic Sergeant. “Motorcyclist and drivers both need to pay more attention, the margin for error is so small”.
California collision data reveals that primary causes of motorcycle-involved crashes include speeding, unsafe turning, and impairment due to alcohol and other drugs. The Stockton Police Department is also reminding all motorists to always be alert and watch out for motorcycles, especially when turning and changing lanes.
Some of the reduction in riders killed can be attributed to fewer improperly licensed riders. In 2008, 62.7 percent of motorcycle operators killed under age 25 were not properly licensed. In 2009, that statistic fell to only 45.5 percent. Riders, young and old, are encouraged to be properly licensed and to seek training and safety information.
“The terrible trend of rising motorcyclist fatalities has been reversed, though there is more that everyone can do to save more lives. Riders and drivers need to respect each other and share the road,” said California Office of Traffic Safety Director, Christopher J. Murphy.
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.