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Date Posted / Updated: Home Press Release Index
RIVERSIDE COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
Sheriff Stanley Sniff
Palm Desert Station - City of Palm Desert Police
PRESS RELEASE.
Date/Time Written: October 02, 2009 / 11:00 AM Type of Incident: Motorcycle Safety Saturation Patrol
Date/Time of Incident: October 17, 2009 / 3:00 PM – 1:00 AM Location(s) of Incident: City of Palm Desert Reporting Officer: Sgt. Mike Bianco File Number: Police to increase enforcement aimed at dangerous riders and careless motorists
The Palm Desert Police Department will be conducting a specialized Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation on October 17th, 2009. 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. Riverside County is not immune to motorcycle fatalities! In a five-year span from 2004 to 2008, Riverside County accrued a total of 142 fatalities and 2,520 injuries from motorcycle crashes.
Factors contributing to motorcycle crashes very often include speeding and impairment due to alcohol and other drugs by motorcyclists. The Palm Desert 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 were 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.
Riders 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.
Funding for this operation is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Palm Desert Police Traffic Team consists of two Sergeants, along with the Motorcycle Enforcement Unit and our Traffic Collision Investigation Officers. Members of the Traffic Team investigate traffic collisions, enforce traffic laws, develop traffic flow plans and assist with special events. Our goal is to provide better public safety through Evaluation, Education and Enforcement. If you have any questions, comments or concerns regarding traffic in Palm Desert you can contact the Palm Desert Police Traffic Team at (760) 836-1600.
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