What:
News Conference

Who:
Deputy Chief Ronald Bergmann, Commanding Officer, Operations-Valley Bureau, Captain Greg Meyer, Commanding Officer, Valley Traffic Division, and family members of motorcyclist who was killed in a traffic collision

When:
Wednesday, August 18, 2004, at 1:00 p.m.

Where:
13636 Sherman Way, Van Nuys

Los Angeles: In the United States approximately 3,200 motorcyclists lose their lives annually in traffic collisions. It is nearly 50 percent increase from 1997 when approximately 2,100 motorcyclists have lost their lives while involved in traffic collisions.

The motorcycle community is experiencing astounding growth. New unit sales on highway motorcycles have increased 91 percent since 1997. The Motorcycle Industry Council expects motorcycle sales to continue to increase over the next few years, resulting in more motorcycles on our roadways. In the San Fernando Valley in the year 2000 there were five motorcycle fatalities, in 2001 there were six fatalities, in 2002 there were seven, in 2003 there were nine fatalities for the entire year. As of August 18, 2004, there have been 11 motorcyclists who have tragically lost their lives in a traffic collision.

Due to the increase in motorcyclist tragedies, the Los Angeles Police Department is asking motorcycle riders and motorists in general to obey traffic laws so that they may avoid becoming a traffic statistics. Motorist safety tips will be provided during the news conference.

For further information contact Detective William Bustos, Los Angeles Police Department’s Valley Traffic Division, at 818-756-8391.

This news advisory was prepared by Los Angeles Police Department’s Media relations Section, at 213-485-3586.