NOTE TO READERS: This story was updated at 12:30 p.m. after Petaluma police reported a motorcyclist had been ticketed. Initially, police said no motorcyclists were cited.
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Petaluma police on Monday held an all-day operation targeting motorcycle safety and handed out 51 tickets — but only one to a motorcyclist.
Five officers — four on motorcycles and one in a pickup — monitored traffic on Lakeville Highway from Highway 101 east to the city limits from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Police Sgt. Ken Savano said the special enforcement was scheduled because police expected a large increase in motorcyclists going through town to attend a motorcycle event at Infineon Raceway. He said the officers used lasers to check speeds of bikers and other vehicles.
At the end of the day, the 51 tickets included speeding, illegal cellphone use, illegal U-turns, passing over double yellow lines, running red lights and a pedestrian obstructing traffic, he said. Two drivers were arrested: A 59-year-old Walnut Creek woman on suspicion of DUI — her sixth DUI arrest — and a 24-year-old Vallejo man on suspicion of having prescription pain medicine without a prescription. He had been stopped for a cellphone violation and the smell of marijuana led to the more in-depth investigation.
Savano said the number of motorcyclists cited was similar to the results of previous motorcycle operations, but he noted statistics show motorcyclists are involved in more collisions than other drivers and that prompted the special enforcement.
Monday’s operation was funded through a grant from the state Office of Traffic Safety, and Savano said upcoming special enforcements will target speeders, DUI suspects, bicyclists, pedestrians as well as motorcyclists in Petaluma.
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Ziggy
Wonder where the cop got his statistical data from? Certainly not from Sonoma county. The need for REVENUE prompted this enforcement. Remember when cops used to be trusted & not feared. They all think they’re military commandos now.
November 16th, 2011 7:22 am
RUKiddingme
special enforcement for bicyclists and pedestrians??? Petaluma, are you really that hard-up?
November 16th, 2011 7:51 am
bigvin
Special enforcement for bicyclists, its about time. Although they must abide by all traffic laws, few do. Can’t wait to see one being ticketed for running a stoplight or riding without a light at night.
November 16th, 2011 8:22 am
Steve
The reason motorcycles are involved in a high number of collisions is because other drivers don’t pay attention and don’t see them. The crackdown should be on bad drivers… eating, putting on make-up, using cell phones, sitting in the left lane on the highway while others are required to pass on the right, etc.
November 16th, 2011 8:32 am
Jackie
Consider these two reports:
in Petaluma – the Walnut Creek lady was arrested and ‘ her car impounded’
at Wilfred Avenue in Rohnert Park – the unlicensed driver of a VW Jetta with 2 tickets on record for driving unlicensed
GOT BACK INTO HIS VW JETTA AND ACTUALLY HIT THE CHP OFFICER AS HE LEFT THE SCENE OF THE COLLISION….. NO ARREST OR IMPOUNDING OF CAR FOR HIM.
November 16th, 2011 8:40 am
Paul
I wonder where they get their statistics. Like Cain “I don’t have the fact to back this up, but I’ll say anyway.” Motorcycles are involved in more accidents than other drivers. Really? Maybe because the car driver did not see the rider, that’s the biggest cause of motorcycle accidents. Motorcyclist cause the least amount of accidents, specially those involving a car.
When I moved to Petaluma, police officers were friendly. You could look at them and show a smile. These days I avoid even looking at their patrol car. Why do they look at you like their are superior?
November 16th, 2011 9:12 am
MC RIDER
.As for peds make them carry a flashlight while walking at night so we see them not hit them!.
November 16th, 2011 9:27 am
Bob
From the article:
“he noted statistics show motorcyclists are involved in more collisions than other drivers and that prompted the special enforcement.”
If they were serious about reducing motorcycle collisions, the penalty for automobiles violating a motorcycle’s right of way, especially when that violation causes injury or death, would be much greater than a $300 fine.
November 16th, 2011 9:29 am
larry
well motorcycles are NOT the biggest cause of accidents, cars crash into each other way many more time then bikes are involved.
just when a motor bike is involved, it is a bad deal for the rider.
by far bikers are better riders then drivers of cars are aka: Obeying the laws of the road.
not easy to use a cell phone when you got a helmet on…
drinking is hard to do also same reason.
eating..or any one of a number of distracting things drivers of cars do each day.
and as for felony arrests well any who do the crime need to do the time. no mater what the drive/ride.
and yes great way to try and drive up the cash box for your city have a “special” enforcement during a special event..why not enforce the law every day.
how much money did the city get this day?
how much did it cost the tax payers for they day?
.
November 16th, 2011 9:34 am
PD Watcher
hmm this doesn’t sound right. I see “Car crashes” all the time- and rarely mc crashes. I think either the reporter misunderstood- or the stats are wrong here.
November 16th, 2011 10:36 am
smartcookie
Highway patrols in my opinion have the worlds most boring job. Their air of superiority is a false cover for their insecurity about their job choice.
November 16th, 2011 10:37 am
Jon D
@ bigvin Then what? impound the $20 garage sales bike if they don’t pay for the tickets.
November 16th, 2011 10:51 am
Brisbane
My hope is that the same vigor is applied to the monitoring, arresting and prosecution of sex offenders, violent parolees and grang members by Petaluma PD. I don’t read about those special enforcement operations in the newspapers.
November 16th, 2011 10:54 am
C. Alberigi
Motorcyclists are usually involved in accidents, because cars don’t see them and therefore keep causing them problems or running into them!
November 16th, 2011 11:09 am
Darla Real
I could not agree more with the person who posted regarding how the police in Petaluma should focus their attention where it will do the public the most good (public servants right?) and have those “special operations” for “real” criminals ie: child molesters, rapists, gang involved stuff, I was born and raised in Petaluma and frankly, their wanton and widespread abuse of power scares the heck out of me.
November 16th, 2011 11:14 am
offramp
Statistically, the rate at which motorcycles are involved in crashes relative to their numbers is higher than that for regular vehicles. Also, according to both state and federal crash statisitcs, riders are found to be at fault in approximately two thirds of the crashes they are involved in. Speed is the number one factor, DUI the number two.
November 16th, 2011 11:46 am
Ben
Over the past few months I’ve seen a half dozens bicycle accidents, 1 car collision, and no motorcycle accidents. I’ve been almost run over by a bicycle more times than I can count on sidewalks, in crosswalks, and even in a building atrium. A couple of times a muni bus cut me off in a crosswalk. They want to improve safety? They should get a clue first.
November 16th, 2011 11:57 am
tony mccoy
headed into the city for a meeting on my motorcycle since it’s the easiest way to get in and out. Passed two totaled cars in two separate incidents, one on Bridgeway in Sausalito and one on Lombard. Zipped right past all the cars grid-locked on the roads. I am so glad I can get out of the way faster than the cars approaching me can get the chance to crush me.
However, speeding increases one’s chance for wrecking. I pinch myself when I get the urge and correct myself.
If I cut you off (in your eyes) please don’t be offended. I won’t be the one holding you up. I’ll be out of your way in no time, then you can concentrate on your real enemy. The car driver right next to you.
November 16th, 2011 1:00 pm
Paul
by offramp, by their own nature motorcycles are more dangerous than car. No news there. Fact, most accidents with motorcycles are caused by cars. I have been, and many of my friends too, hit by cars. One killed while on a stop light. I never did hit a car and I’ve been riding for over 40 years. Like the originator of the article, you do not provide your source of information. How unfortunate for me I can’t trust those I am supposed to trust. Here is a link to NHTSA:
http://www-fars.nhtsa.dot.gov/Main/index.aspx
November 16th, 2011 1:04 pm
offramp
Yes, Ben, because your experiences are should be what drives public policy.
November 16th, 2011 1:28 pm
RH
Police are nothing more than the Sheriff of Nottingham coming into town to collect his taxes. My GPS unit was stolen from my car, who’s working on that case? Nobody, because finding that guy won’t make them any money. Someone going 10 over = $$$.
I wonder if these cops ever though, “I want to be a tax collector when I grow up!”
November 16th, 2011 1:47 pm
tom
profiling is profiling and profiling is wrong and maybe illiegal
November 16th, 2011 2:56 pm
Offramp
RH, how’s this for an alternative view? Finding your GPS unit is likely close to impossible. What evidence or clues are there? If it was a smash and grab, likely none. If you left your car unlocked, shame on you. Would you like them to pull somone off a rape or murder case for your GPS? Do you want to pay more taxes to pay for more cops so that someone can find your GPS?
Petaluma had 265 real people killed or injured in traffic crashes last year. Sonoma County had 2900. Is your GPS more important than them?
November 16th, 2011 2:59 pm
Denise
I find this article ironic and humorous. Today while driving north on 101 in Rohnert Park a Petaluma Police Motorcycle Officer was weaving in and out of traffic without using his turn signals. If you are reading this M-51 (I am pretty sure that is what was painted on the back of your black fender) please follow the law. You are setting a bad example for people, especially our youth. Naughty, naughty.
November 16th, 2011 5:24 pm
Ken Briggs
how come the courts let this 59 year old lady rack up six D U I s and still let her drive ? she should be doing a weekly drug test for the next five years and no license for five years . so what kind of a cheap fine this woman is getting ? who is being paid off on this ? the police do the job of stopping this drunk and the courts do nothing but let her drink and drive ,why ?
November 16th, 2011 9:24 pm
doghtr
Makes me sick to see what has happened to our state and country. The police are no longer our protectors, but have become predators and we are their prey. The way they pay their salary is through the collections of traffic fines. This is a conflict of interest at best and corrupt at worst. The cops are the tax collectors of the fascist police state.
November 16th, 2011 10:03 pm
Paul
Offramp, PPD, where are the statistics you claim? You should have back up to your statements. Specially if profiling civilians participating in a completely legal and regulated activity. Out of the 265, how many were killed and how many injured? From the killed, how many murder, accidents other than in a vehicle? Vague information to say the least. I’ve been riding for over 40 years. Yet, the only near crash I had on a freeway, was being passed by a CHP Officer on a high speed motorcycle. He had no lights on, or siren going on. He passed me on my lane, on my right. I was on the slow lane. Good thing he did not crash, because it would have been my fault. My son was hit by a SFPD making a U turn, yet my son got a ticket for not having a running light during the day.
November 17th, 2011 1:01 am
TigerLily
Police are nothing more than tax collectors with guns.
November 17th, 2011 4:45 pm