Crime & Safety
Napa Police Target Motorcycle Riders
A bulletin from Sgt. Paul Paniagua of the City of Napa Police Department.
The will conduct a special enforcement operation Sunday, August 7, 2011 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.
Find out what's happening in Napa Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Motorcycle fatalities had been on the rise in California, increasing 175 percent in 11 years, from 204 deaths in 1998 to 560 deaths in 2008.
That trend has stopped, with data showing a 30 percent decrease in motorcycle fatalities in 2009.
Find out what's happening in Napa Valleywith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Despite the improvement, California remains one of three states that lead the nation in motorcyclist deaths.
In the City of Napa 18 motorcyclists were killed and injured in 2009.
Out of 104 similar sized cities, 98 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.
According to California collision data, the primary causes of motorcycle-involved crashes include
- speeding,
- unsafe turning, and
- impairment due to alcohol or drugs.
The Napa Police Department also reminds other motorists to be alert and watch out for motorcycles, especially when turning and changing lanes.
Another factor in motorcycle-related crashes is inexperience.
Between 2006 and 2008, 58 percent of motorcycle operators under the age of 25 who were killed were not properly licensed.
The Napa Police Department urges motorcyclists of all ages to obtain the proper license, and to seek training and safety information.
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.
