Napa Police Plan Motorcycle Crackdown This Weekend

The Napa Police Department will conduct a special motorcycle enforcement operation Sunday, Sept. 1,  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 decreased 10.7 percent from 394 in 2009 to 352 in 2010.

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. 

In the city of Napa, there were 25 collisions involving a motorcycle in 2012, one of which resulted in a fatality. So far in 2013, there has been 9 motorcycle involved collisions in Napa.

Most recently, on Aug. 20, at about 8 p.m.. Napa Police Officers responded to the area of Imola Avenue and Gasser Drive for a vehicle vs. motorcycle traffic collision.

Initial statements indicate the driver of the vehicle failed to stop for a red light and collided with the motorcyclist as he made the left turn once his light turned green.

The motorcyclist was transported to Queen of the Valley Medical Center via ground ambulance. He was admitted into the hospital with a head injury and is expected to survive. 

Alcohol and/or drugs do not appear to have been a contributing factor to this collision.

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.