Folsom Police Target Motorcycle Safety

Folsom Police to increase enforcement aimed at dangerous riders and careless motorists

The Folsom Police Department will conduct a specialized Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation Friday August 13th through Sunday August 15th, 2010. Extra officers will be on duty to patrol areas frequented by motorcyclists and where prior crashes have occurred. Officers will be cracking down on traffic violations made by motorcyclists as well as other violations which 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.

Factors contributing to motorcycle crashes include excessive speed, drug and alcohol impairment, and risky motorcycle operation. The Folsom Police Department would also like to remind 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. Riders young and old are encouraged to seek training and safety information. Many people are riding motorcycles without the proper motorcycle license endorsement and without the skills necessary to ride safely. Rider’s 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 Folsom Police program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.