Fatal Traffic Collision in the 900 block of East Garvey Avenue

On May 2, 2018 at 9:58 p.m., Monterey Park Police officers responded to a call of a traffic collision in the 900 block of East Garvey Avenue.

A 75 year old female pedestrian was crossing Garvey Avenue just west of Elizabeth Avenue when she was struck by a vehicle travelling eastbound on Garvey Avenue. The Monterey Park Fire Department transported the pedestrian to a nearby hospital where she succumbed to her injuries.

The cause of the collision is under investigation by the Monterey Park Police Department Traffic Bureau. The 69 year old male driver of the vehicle stopped after the collision and is cooperating with the investigation. Alcohol and/or drugs are not believed to be a factor at this time.

Investigators are asking that if anyone witnessed the collision, they contact the Monterey Park Police Department Watch Commander at 626-307-1200.

May Is Motorcycle Awareness Month

Riders and drivers can work together to save lives

In order to reduce motorcycle crashes and save lives, the Monterey Park Police Department and the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) are teaming up with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this May for the annual Motorcycle Safety Awareness campaign to help save lives on our roadways. The awareness campaign aims to educate vehicle drivers and motorcyclists on how each motorist can be more aware of the other, creating safer roads and saving lives in the process.

The Monterey Park Police Department will join law enforcement throughout the state to step up enforcement along with awareness efforts to lower motorcycle deaths and injuries during the May campaign. Officers will have a special emphasis this month on enforcing all traffic violations by both drivers and motorcyclists deploying Saturation Patrols on the following dates, May 23 and May 30, 2018.

According to NHTSA, motorcyclists accounted for 14% of all traffic fatalities in 2015, while motorcycles make up just 3% of all registered vehicles in the United States. In 2016, 5,286 motorcyclists were killed in motor vehicle crashes – a 6% increase from the 4,976 killed in 2015. More than 88,000 motorcyclists were injured in motor vehicle crashes.

Recent data from the California Department of Motor Vehicles shows there are more than 900,000 registered motorcycles in the state and more than 1.4 million licensed riders. In 2016, 560 motorcyclists were killed in motor vehicle crashes in California– an 11% increase from the 494 killed in 2015. More than 14,400 motorcyclists were injured in motor vehicle crashes.

The Monterey Park Police Department has these general tips to drivers on how to prevent a fatal crash with a motorcycle:

• Though a motorcycle is a small vehicle, motorists can do their part by sharing the road.
• Always use a turn signal when changing lanes or merging with traffic.
• If you see a motorcycle with a signal on, be careful: motorcycle signals are often non-canceling and could have been forgotten. Always ensure that the motorcycle is turning before proceeding.
• Stay alert, check all mirrors and blind spots for motorcycles before changing lanes or merging with traffic.
• Always allow more following distance, follow at a safe distance when behind a motorcycle. This gives them more time to maneuver or stop in an emergency.
• Never drive distracted or impaired.

Motorcyclists can increase their safety by following these steps:

• Wear a DOT-compliant helmet and other protective gear.
• Ride safely when lane sharing and always proceed at safe speeds.
• Obey all traffic laws and be properly licensed.
• Use turn signals at every lane change or turn.
• Wear brightly colored clothes and reflective tape to increase visibility.
• Ride safely when lane sharing and always proceed at safe speeds.
• Never ride distracted or impaired.

The Office of Traffic Safety encourages all riders, new and experienced, to enroll in the California Motorcyclist Safety Program (CMSP). The CMSP was developed in July 1987 and has training sites throughout the state. The CMSP trains approximately 60,000 motorcyclists per year and has trained more than 1.1 million motorcycle riders. For more information, or to find a training site near you, visit californiamotorcyclist.com.

The Motorcycle Safety Saturation Patrols are funded by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety.

May Is Bicycle Safety Month

With the California weather warming up, the Monterey Park Police Department and the California Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) are highlighting how bicycling is a great way to stay in shape, save money on gas, reduce pollution and when visiting recreational areas, a great way to see the sights. These benefits are nothing new to cyclists and community leaders. Many cities have created bike-friendly routes now complete with bike paths, special bicycle parking areas and special amenities. National Bike Safety Month in May is just one way we celebrate our love to ride.

However, motorists and bicyclists must take extra precautions when they travel together. Riders often share the road with vehicles, which creates a host of hazards, and injuries can happen even on a designated path. In 2016, California passed legislation requiring motorists to proceed past riders with at least a three foot clearance.

According to National Safety Council Injury Facts 2017, 488,123 people were treated in emergency rooms in 2015 after being injured riding a bicycle. The only sport resulting in more injuries overall was basketball, at 493,011. Football was third, at 399,873.

According to Injury Facts, about 1,100 deaths resulted from cyclists colliding with motor vehicles in 2015. With about 80 million bike riders sharing the road with millions of motorized vehicles, the importance of safety precautions in traffic cannot be overstated.

Cyclists who wear a helmet reduce their risk of head injury by an estimated 60%, and brain injury by 58%. That statistic makes sense when you consider the first body part to fly forward in a collision is usually the head, and with nothing but skin and bone to protect the brain, the results can be fatal.

California witnessed 147 bicyclist deaths in 2016, accounting for over four percent of all traffic fatalities, much higher than the national average of over two percent. Nationally, 70 percent of all bicyclists who died in motor vehicle crashes in 2015 died in urban area crashes. Over a 10-year period (2006 to 2015), the average age of cyclists killed in motor vehicle crashes has steadily increased from 41 to 45.

The following safety tips can save lives and stop this tragedy witnessed far too often in the city of Monterey Park:

Drivers:

• “Share the road” with bicyclists
• Be courteous; California law now mandates at least three feet of clearance when passing a bike riders
• Look for cyclists before opening a car door or pulling out from a parking space
• Yield to cyclists at intersections and as directed by signs and signals
• Be especially watchful for riders when making turns, either left or right
• It is unlawful to drive in a bike lane except for 200 feet prior to make a right or left turn.

Bicyclists:

• Wear properly fitted bicycle helmets every time they ride. If under 18 years of age, it’s the law
• A helmet is the single most effective way to prevent head injury resulting from a bicycle crash
• Riders are considered vehicle operators; they are required to obey the same rules of the road as other vehicle operators, including obeying traffic signs, signals, and lane markings.
• When cycling in the street, cyclists must ride in the same direction as traffic.
• Bicyclists should increase their visibility to drivers by wearing fluorescent or brightly colored clothing during the day, and at dawn and dusk
• To be noticed when riding at night, the law requires a front light and a red reflector to the rear.
• For additional safety, use a flashing rear light, and use retro-reflective tape or markings on equipment or clothing.