Motorcycle Enforcement Planned Saturday in Napa

The Napa Police Department will conduct a special motorcycle enforcement operation Saturday, June 16, 2012 as part of an effort to continue reducing deaths and injuries. 

Extra officers will be on duty, patrolling areas frequented by motorcyclists and where motorcycle crashes occur.  Officers will strictly enforce traffic violations by motorcyclists and other vehicle drivers that can lead to motorcycle collisions, injuries and fatalities.

Motorcycle fatalities had been on the rise in California, increasing 175 percent in 11 years, from 204 deaths in 1998 to 560 death in 2008. That trend has stopped, with data showing a 30 percent decrease in motorcycle fatalities in 2009.  

Motorcycle fatalities per 100,000 motorcycle registrations fell from 49 in 2009 to 44 in 2010. This rate had been relatively steady, averaging 68 from 2005 through 2008.  Despite the improvement California remains one of three states that lead the nation in motorcyclist deaths. 

In the City of Napa 17 motorcyclists were killed or injured in 2010.  Out of 103 similar sized cities, 95 cities had a lower number of motorcyclists killed and injured.  It is the goal of the Napa Police Department to reduce the number of motorcyclist injuries and deaths.  

In 2010, 79 percent of motorcycle operators involved in fatal collisions were at fault and 57 percent of motorcycle operators involved in injury collisions were at fault.  According to California collision data, the primary causes of motorcycle-involved crashes include speeding, unsafe turning, and impairment due to alcohol or drugs.

Another factor in motorcycle-related crashes is inexperience.  The percentage of motorcycle operators killed that were improperly licensed increased from 32 percent in 2009 to 33 percent in 2010.  The Napa Police Department urges motorcyclists of all ages to obtain the proper license, and to seek training and safety information.

The Napa Police Department also reminds other motorists to be alert and watch out for motorcycles, especially when turning and changing lanes.

Training is available through the California Motorcyclist Safety Program. For more information and training locations, see the website at www.CA-msp.org, or call (877) 743-3411.

Funding for the Napa Police Department’s special enforcement program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Administration.

Source: City of Napa Police Department

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