A specialized motorcycle safety enforcement operation will be held in Santa Monica this Saturday.
The Santa Monica Police Department will conduct the operation in an effort to reduce the number of deaths and injuries involving motorcyclists.
SMPD Lt. Richard Lewis said extra officers will be on duty patrolling areas frequented by motorcyclists and where accidents commonly occur.
“Officers will be looking for violations commonly made by drivers of passenger vehicles and motorcyclist, which lead to many motorcycle collisions such as, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, speeding, making illegal turns, stop sign violations or any other dangerous violation,” Lewis said.
Lewis said motorcycle fatalities saw a phenomenal drop of 37 percent from 2008 to 2010, but rose nearly 18 percent in 2011.
“Operations like this are aimed at curbing any more rises in motorcycle deaths and sending the numbers back downward,” he said.
California collision data reveals that primary causes of motorcycle-involved crashes include speeding, unsafe turning and impairment due to alcohol and other drugs.
The SMPD is also reminding all motorists to always be alert and watch out for motorcycles, especially when turning and changing lanes.
Funding for this operation is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
