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Police launch motorcycle safety campaign
By Claudia Grisales | Thursday, June 10, 2010, 01:13 PM
Austin police have launched a motorcycle safety campaign beginning Friday to coincide with the 16th annual Republic of Texas biker rally this weekend.
The rally attracts thousands of visitors to the Central Texas region, many of whom will be on motorcycles, said Austin Police Cpl. Bob Miljenovich.
As part of the “Cop on a Bike” campaign, a plain-clothed officer will be riding on a civilian motorcycle and using a radio to call out traffic violations to an unmarked police unit shadowing the officer, Miljenovich said. The unmarked vehicle will make traffic stops, he said.
Police will be looking out for violations that may involve motorcycle riders and other roadway vehicles such as failure to yield the right of way, Miljenovich said.
“The cop on a bike is specifically looking for driver inattention related to the motorcycle rider,” Miljenovich said.
In the past, police have launched similar initiatives involving other types of vehicles, such as commercial vehicles and buses, Miljenovich said.
The initiative will run from today into Saturday, police said.
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06-10-2010
