PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 2/29/16
CONTACT: Lt Randy Soulard 619-441-1632
Improving Motorcycle Safety Aim of El Cajon Police Department Operation
Careless motorists as well as riders get special scrutiny
The El Cajon Police Department will be conducting a specialized Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation on 3-28-16 in an effort to lower deaths and injuries. Extra officers will be on duty patrolling areas frequented by motorcyclists and where motorcycle crashes occur. Officers will be looking for violations made by drivers and riders alike that can lead to motorcycle crashes. They will be cracking down on both those operating regular vehicles and motorcycles that are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, speeding, making illegal turns, or any other dangerous violation.
Motorcycle fatalities saw a drop in 2015, as there was 1 fatality. Operations like these are aimed at curbing any rise in motorcycle deaths.
In the City of El Cajon, during 2013 there were 25 motorcycle collisions, of which 1 was a fatality and there were 23 motorcyclists injured. During 2014 there were 32 motorcycle collisions, resulting in 3 fatalities and 25 motorcyclists injured. During 2015 there were 28 motorcycle collisions resulting in 1 fatality and 29 motorcyclists injured. Already in 2016 there has been 1 motorcyclist fatality.
California collision data reveals that primary causes of motorcycle-involved crashes include speeding, unsafe turning, and impairment due to alcohol and other drugs. The El Cajon Police Department is also reminding all motorists to always be alert and watch out for motorcycles, especially when turning and changing lanes.
As the economy turns upward, there will likely be more miles driven by all vehicles, plus more novice motorcycle riders who are untrained and unable to handle the power of today’s motorcycles. The message to all drivers and motorcyclists is: share in the responsibility and do your part by safely “sharing the road.” 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.
