Fountain Valley Police Department Press Releases
| TO PRESS: | FROM: Lt. Ken Hounsley (714) 593-4529 Feb 9 2010 |
Motorcycle Safety Enforcement | |
| Fountain Valley Police Department Enforcement Campaign Targeting Motorcycle Safety Police to increase enforcement aimed at dangerous riders and careless motorists The Fountain Valley Police Department will be conducting a specialized Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation on Friday February 12, 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. The data for Orange County has also been compelling; in the five year period from 2004 through 2008 there have been a total of 141 fatal and 3,445 injury motorcycle collisions in the county. Factors contributing to motorcycle crashes very often include speeding and impairment due to alcohol and other drugs by motorcyclists. The Fountain Valley Police Department is also reminding all motorists to always be alert and watch out for motorcycles, especially when turning and changing lanes. Another 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 was 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. Rider’s 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. | |
| Lt. Ken Hounsley Traffic Division (714) 593-4529 | |
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