Elk Grove Police Department Steps Up Enforcement During Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

Police to increase enforcement aimed at dangerous riders and careless motorists

May is Motorcycle Awareness Month all across California and the Nation. The Elk Grove Police Department will be conducting a specialized Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation on May 16th and May 22nd in an effort to continue lowering deaths and injuries.

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.

While motorcycle fatalities had been on the rise in California, increasing 175 percent in the last decade, from 204 killed in 1998 to 560 killed in 2008, preliminary numbers for 2009 show that the trend may be changing. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is reporting that California may see a 20% reduction in motorcyclists killed. Since 2008, 3 motorcyclists have been killed and 24 injured in collisions within the City of Elk Grove.

California collision data reveals that primary causes of motorcycle-involved crashes include speeding, unsafe turning and impairment due to alcohol and other drugs. The Elk Grove Police Department is also reminding all motorists to always be alert and watch out for motorcycles, especially when turning and changing lanes.

“Motorcyclists are much more vulnerable than others sharing the road,” said California Office of Traffic Safety Director, Christopher J. Murphy. “Motorcyclists, per vehicle mile traveled, are 37 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash.”

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.