Please see the two Press Releases below, regarding two upcoming traffic safety operations.
Newport Beach Police Department Announces
Operation Focusing on Motorcycle Safety
As part of our grant-funded Special Traffic Enforcement and Crash Prevention (STEP) activities, the Newport Beach Police Department will be conducting a specialized Motorcycle Safety Enforcement Operation on Friday, May 26.
Extra officers will be on duty patrolling areas that are frequented by motorcyclists and where recent traffic collisions have occurred, in an effort to reduce injuries. Education and enforcement will be targeted at drivers and motorcycle riders alike. The officers will be focused on specific offenses including driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, speeding, driving on a suspended or revoked license, violations of motorcycle license endorsement, and any other dangerous activities.
Motorcycle fatalities have risen dramatically in California, showing a 28% increase over the decade low of 352 in 2010. In 2013, 453 motorcyclists lost their lives, marking the highest number of deaths in the previous five years. California collision data shows that the primary causes of motorcycle-involved collisions include speeding, unsafe turning, and driver/rider impairment due to drugs or alcohol.
During the past two years in the City of Newport Beach, 66 persons were injured in traffic collisions involving motorcycles, but none of these collisions involved a fatality. The Police Department remains dedicated to preventing traffic-related deaths and injuries. We encourage everyone on the road to stay alert and aware of your surroundings, especially when turning or changing lanes. Whether you are on two wheels – or on four – it’s your responsibility to safely share the road.
Safety tips for motorcycle riders: See and be seen
- Use your lane position to increase visibility; change lanes only when there is ample room
- Match your speed to surrounding traffic
- Always wear a DOT-compliant helmet and brightly-colored protective clothing
- Ride with lights on, even during daylight hours
Safety tips for drivers: Share the road
- Look twice for motorcyclists, especially when entering the roadway, turning, or changing lanes
- Remember that motorcyclists are allowed in HOV lanes, unless prohibited by signage
Funding for these Safety Operations is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic and Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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DUI Enforcement Operations Planned This Weekend
Newport Beach Police Officers will be deploying this weekend to stop and arrest alcohol- and drug-impaired drivers in our ongoing efforts to stop drunk driving and help save lives. DUI Saturation Patrols will take place from Friday, May 26 through Monday, May 29, 2017 between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. Officers will be patrolling the areas of our city with the highest frequencies of DUI collisions and/or arrests, looking for signs of alcohol and/or drug impairment.
High Visibility Enforcement (like DUI Saturation Patrols) has been proven to lower the number of persons killed and injured in alcohol- and drug-impaired crashes. Research shows that crashes involving an impaired driver can be reduced by up to 20 percent when well-publicized proactive DUI operations are conducted routinely.
Tragically, alcohol-involved collisions led to 1,155 deaths and nearly 24,000 injuries throughout the state California in 2014. Over the course of the past three years, Newport Beach Police officers have investigated 373 DUI collisions in our city, which have claimed four lives and resulted in another 303 injuries.
A study of active drivers revealed that more people tested positive for drugs that may impair driving (14 percent) than for alcohol (7.3 percent). Of the drugs, marijuana was most prevalent, and showed slightly higher use than alcohol (7.4 percent). Everyone should be mindful that, if you are taking medication – whether prescription or over-the-counter – drinking even small amounts of alcohol in combination with your medication can greatly intensify impairment.
Consider using the California Office of Traffic Safety’s DDVIP (Designated Driver VIP) mobile app, which is available for free download on iOS and Android devices. The app helps designated sober drivers find nearby bars and restaurants that feature free incentives (from free non-alcoholic drinks to free appetizers and more). Those who have been drinking can use the app to contact Uber, Lyft, or Curb to get a sober ride home.
Drivers caught driving impaired can expect the impact of a DUI arrest to include jail time, fines, fees, DUI classes, other expenses that can exceed $10,000, not to mention the embarrassment when friends and family find out.
Funding for this DUI operation is provided to Newport Beach Police Department by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, reminding everyone to ‘Report Drunk Driver – Call 9-1-1’.
