Police to look for motorcycle violations

Newport Beach police will be out in force Saturday looking for motorcycle riders breaking traffic laws.

Throughout the day, extra officers will be on duty patrolling areas in the city frequented by motorcycle riders and where crashes commonly occur. The move is part of a ramped-up effort by police statewide to enforce motorcycle traffic laws.

Motorcycle fatalities have been climbing for years before taking a dip in 2009, state numbers show.

In 2000, there were 276 motorcycle fatalities in California. In 2008, there were 560.

More than a third of riders killed in 2008 were not properly licensed, and 70% of riders killed in 2008 were at fault in their crashes.

Funding for the enforcement is provided by the California Office of Traffic Safety.

— Joseph Serna