PICO RIVERA — Deputies will target both unsafe motorcyclist and car drivers next week as they embark on a motorcycle safety enforcement campaign, officials said.

The crackdown — aimed at reducing motorcycle-related fatalities — will take place Feb. 24 throughout Pico Rivera, Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials said in a written statement.

 “Extra deputies will be on duty patrolling areas frequented by motorcyclists and where motorcycle crashes occur,” the statement said. “Deputies will be looking for drivers and riders who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol and cracking down on traffic violations made by motorcyclists as well as other vehicle drivers that can lead to motorcycle collisions, injuries, and fatalities.”

After 10 years of steadily rising motorcycle deaths, from 204 in in 1998 to 560 in 2008, fatal motorcycle crashes have declined in over the past two years, sheriff’s officials said.

There were 394 motorcycle deaths reported in 2009, and 352 in 2010.

“This is positive trend that we want to see continue,” the sheriff’s statement said.

“The terrible trend of rising motorcyclist fatalities has been reversed, though there is more that everyone can do to save more lives,” California Office of Traffic Safety Director Christopher Murphy said. “Riders and drivers need to respect each other and share the road.”

The upcoming enforcement campaign is being funded by the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Motorcycle rider training is offered through the California Motorcyclist Safety Program. For information, visit www.CA-msp.org, or call 877-743-3411.