CMPD Special Enforcement Programs

EVEN MORE VIGILANCE BY THE CMPD
This week the Costa Mesa Police Department issued a couple press releases that will be of special interest to some among us.

BE ALERT, BIKERS!
Beginning Saturday, May 19th and also on Saturday, May 26th the CMPD will be conducting a specialized Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation in an effort to continue lowering deaths and injuries.  There will be extra officers on duty patrolling areas frequented by motorcyclists and where motorcycle crashes occur.

TRENDING THE RIGHT WAY
According to the press release, after 10 years of steadily increasing motorcycle fatalities in California - increasing 175% from 204 killed in 1998 to 560 killed in 2008 - the trend changed.  Motorcycle fatalities dropped - to 394 in 2009 and 352 in 2010.

INJURIES UP!
Costa Mesa had no motorcycle fatalities in 2009 and 2010, but had 15  and 24 injury collisions involving motorcycles in those years respectively - a 60% increase.

FASTEN THOSE SEAT BELTS!
And, Monday, May 21st is the beginning of the 2012 Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement mobilization.  According to that press release, it is estimated that in 2010 alone seat belts saved 12,546 lives.  Even so, 22,187 passenger vehicle occupants were killed in motor vehicle crashes and 51% of them were NOT wearing seat belts at the time.

 TWO WEEKS
This year's enforcement mobilization runs from May 21 through June 3, but CMPD officers are enforcing seat belt laws year-round.  Total costs of a first time ticket are at least $142.

CONSIDER YOURSELVES WARNED!