There’s nothing like a motorcycle ride along one of California’s scenic mountain roads. The Angeles Crest Highway, State Route 2, offers miles of breathtaking valley views from seemingly high up in the clouds. The Crest is also full of sweeping turns and motorcyclists should navigate this road with care and at a controlled speed.
“Riding a motorcycle provides a thrill and a high level of excitement, but there’s also an element of danger,” said California Highway Patrol (CHP) Captain Bill Dance, commander of the Altadena Area office. “Concentration and caution on the part of the rider are a must at all times.”
According to data from the CHP’s Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System, between Jan. 1, 2007 and Dec. 31, 2008, there were 164 motorcycle-involved collisions on Route 2 from Starlight Crest Drive to state Route 39 in Los Angeles County. Among those collisions, eight were fatal, seven of which were the result of unsafe speed. Speed was also the primary collision factor for 98 of the aforementioned motorcycleinvolved collisions which resulted in injuries.
In an effort to reduce the number of motorcycle-involved fatal and injury collisions along this 38-mile stretch of highway patrolled by the Altadena Area office, the CHP will work with local allied agencies and community members to establish a task force and develop and implement a public awareness campaign. The “Motorcycle Safety Coalitions” grant will also fund an enhanced enforcement effort by CHP officers along Angeles Crest Highway through Sept. 30, 2011. Enforcement efforts will focus on traffic violations made by motorcyclists, as well as other vehicle drivers that can lead to motorcycle collisions, injuries and fatalities.
“Our goal with this grant is to save lives by educating and raising awareness among motorcyclists, as well as reminding all motorists to always be alert and watch out for motorcycles,” added Capt. Dance.
Funding for this grant was provided by the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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