Thursday, May 30, 2013

Motorcycle Safety Enforcement and DUI Results

TARGETED MOTORCYCLE SAFETY ENFORCEMENT
Today the Costa Mesa Police Department announced that for three weeks in June - June 1-22 - it will conduct a "specialized Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation" in an attempt to lower deaths and injuries.  Extra officers will be on duty patrolling areas frequented by motorcyclists and where motorcycle crashes occur.  They will be focusing on speeding, making illegal turns and driving under the influence.

ACCIDENTS BACK UP
According to the press release, motorcycle fatalities saw a drop of 37% from 2008 to 2010, but rose nearly 18% in 2011.  Since January 2010 there have been 97 traffic collisions involving motorcyclists in which 91 people were injured and one was killed.

FUNDING
Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

   


DUI CHECKPOINT RESULTS
Earlier this week the Costa Mesa Police Department announced the results of the most recent DUI/Drivers License checkpoint conducted Friday, May 24th along northbound Newport Boulevard at Flower Street between 8:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. Saturday.

8 DRUNKS ARRESTED, PLUS...
According to the announcement, 2,941 vehicles passed through the checkpoint.  618 were screened.  23 Field Sobriety Tests were administered and 8 DUI-alcohol suspects were arrested.  Additionally, 1 DUI-Drug impaired suspect was arrested; 1 drug suspect was arrested; 6 drivers were cited/arrested for operating a vehicle unlicensed; 2 drivers were cited/arrested for operating a vehicle while suspended/revoked and 9 vehicles were stored or impounded.

COST EFFECTIVE EFFORT
The announcement tells us that these enforcement/education efforts have demonstrable positive results and yield cost savings of $6 for every $1 spent.  And, of course, these checkpoints are conducted using grant funds, not general fund budget dollars.

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3 Comments:

Blogger Bruce Krochman said...

Motorcycle safety would be far better served by educating automobile drivers of the dangers of driving while distracted and the value of looking for objects smaller than their SUV.

Put down the Starbucks cup and pay attention people!

5/30/2013 11:51:00 AM  
Blogger aqua sunshine said...

It's not the auto drivers fault! Look at the way Britain handles motorcycle licensing for improving safety and fatality rates. their stringent licensing regulations make for experienced and serious motorcycle riders, unlike the non-existent pre-licensing that they do here. You get serious riders, when you make them earn the privilege to ride!

5/30/2013 04:13:00 PM  
Blogger kwahlf said...

Great job, CMPD!
The more drunk drivers off the road,
the more lives are saved.

5/30/2013 11:37:00 PM  

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