Crime & Safety
Motorcycle Scofflaws Will Be on Police Radar Sunday
Crackdown will focus on drivers in Santa Monica who speed, make unsafe turns and who are intoxicated.
Santa Monica police warned motorcyclists that officers will be on the look-out Sunday for drivers who speed, make unsafe turns and who are intoxicated.
"Officers will be cracking down on traffic violation made by motorcyclists as well as vehicle drivers that can lead to motorcycle collisions, injuries and fatalities," Sgt. Richard Lewis said.
Lewis said the number of motorcycle deaths statewide rose from 204 in 1998 to 560 died in 2008, an increase of about 175. But in 2009, they dropped to 394 and, in 2010, to 252.
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"The terrible trend of rising motorcycle fatalities has been reversed, though there is more that everyone can do to save more lives,'' said Christopher Murphy, the head of the state Office of Traffic Safety.
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Funding for Sunday's operation is provided by a grant from the Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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