Signal Tribune Newspaper

On Saturday, June 30, the Long Beach Police Department’s (LBPD) Traffic Section conducted a motorcycle-safety enforcement operation from 10am to 3pm, targeting areas frequented by motorcyclists and locations where motorcycle collisions have occurred.
Four motorcycle officers were assigned to the operation and were looking for moving violations as well as equipment violations in order to enhance motorcycle safety throughout Long Beach. During the operation, the officers produced the following statistics:
• 15 helmet violations
• 10 motorcycle equipment violations
• three motorcycle moving violations
• one motorcycle license endorsement violation
• 20 vehicle moving violations
• one motorcycle impounded

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. The trend changed in 2009, and California experienced a 29.6-percent reduction, with 394 motorcyclists fatalities that year. Preliminary 2010 numbers indicate another 10-percent drop to 353 motorcyclist fatalities, according to the LBPD.
California collision data reveals that primary causes of motorcycle-involved crashes include speeding, unsafe turning, and impairment due to alcohol and other drugs. Through a press release issued last week, the LBPD is also reminding all motorists to always be alert and watch out for motorcycles, especially when turning and changing lanes.
Riders can get training through the California Motorcyclist Safety Program and more information from CA-msp.org,or by calling 1-877- RIDE-411 (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.

Source: LBPD