Motorists and motorcycle riders are not always the most considerate users of the roadways – resulting in a rise in motorcycle-involved crashes over the years and prompting the Gilroy Police Department to take action, according to a GPD press release.
Officers will be conducting a specialized Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation on July 13, in “an effort to lower deaths and injuries.”
Gilroy police will have extra officers on duty, patrolling areas frequented by motorcyclists and looking for violations made by drivers and riders alike that can lead to unnecessary crashes.
According to the release, officers will be cracking down on both those operating regular vehicles and motorcycles who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, speeding, making illegal turns, or any other dangerous violation.
Motorcycle fatalities saw a phenomenal drop of 37 percent from 2008 to 2010, but rose nearly 18 percent in 2011, prompting operations like this to curb the upward, sometimes fatal trend.
“Even though the statistics are low for motorcycle accidents within the City of Gilroy we do have many motorcycle enthusiasts within the city and traveling through to other parts of the region,” said Sergeant Pedro Espinoza in the release. “The Gilroy Police Department wishes to keep those statistics low and keep riders safe.”
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.
