Bakersfield Police Eyeing Reckless Drivers for Motorcycle Safety

By Alison Gonzalez

Published on May 05, 2008

Police hit the streets Friday on the lookout for both car drivers and motorcycle riders who were disobeying road laws. They were targeting those on the road who were speeding, changing lanes unsafely, following too close, and ignoring the right of way.

Motorcycle rider, Joe Escalante, is happy that police have stepped up enforcement and hopes that other police departments will do the same. After being involved in a motorcycle accident in March himself which he is still recovering from, he wants other drivers to pay attention to the rules of the road.

The increased enforcement comes after several fatal motorcycle accidents occurred in Kern County since last September.

In 2006, more than 500 people died in motorcycle accidents in California.