Ortega Highway Crackdown Scheduled

In an effort to reduce the number of motorcycle-involved fatal and injury collisions along the Ortega Highway, Temecula Area CHP officers will be working a special enforcement detail on Saturday.

“Enforcement efforts will focus on traffic violations made by motorists that can lead to motorcycle collisions, injuries, and fatalities,” according to a CHP news release.

The CHP has partnered with Murrieta and Lake Elsinore Police Departments, the Department of Forestry, community members, motorcycle club advocates, Cal Trans, as well as Assemblyman Kevin Jeffries (R-Lake Elsinore) and County Supervisor Bob Buster to establish a task force in an attempt to address the collisions occurring on SR-74. 

A “Motorcycle Safety Coalitions” grant is being used to assist in funding the enhanced enforcement efforts and public awareness campaigns along the Ortega Highway, the CHP release stated.

“The grant has not only raised awareness, but has also helped educate motorists traveling on SR-74, so much so that no motorcyclist fatalities have occurred this year in comparison to three fatal collisions we had last year.  There has also been a noticeable reduction in speeding and other dangerous driving habits,” said CHP Temecula Area Captain Ernie Sanchez.