News headline from the Riverside Police Department:

The Riverside Police Department will be conducting a specialized Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation on Friday, June 15th, in an effort to continue lowering deaths and injuries.  The enforcement will be aimed at dangerous riders and careless motorists.

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 motorcyclists as well as other vehicle drivers that can lead to motorcycle collisions, injuries and fatalities.

In a five year span from 2006 to 2010, the city of Riverside had a total of 9 fatalities and 276 injuries from motorcycle crashes.

California collision data reveals that primary causes of motorcycle-involved crashes include speeding, unsafe turning and impairment due to alcohol and other drugs.

The Riverside Police Department is also reminding motorists to always be alert and watch out for motorcycles, especially when turning and changing lanes.  “Riders and drivers need to respect each other and share the road,” said California Office of Traffic Safety Director, Christopher J. Murphy.

Riders are required to be properly licensed and encouraged to seek training and safety information.  Training is available through the California Motorcyclist Safety Program.  Information and training locations are available by clicking HERE or visit their website at at www.CA-msp.org, or call 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.

Filed under Headline

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

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