Two people were killed and several others were injured in motorcycle crashes in the Florida Panhandle last weekend.
The number was likely due to increased traffic for the 24th annual Thunder Beach Spring Rally in Panama City Beach, which brought in thousands of motorcyclists from across the area. However, motorcycle and bicycle crashes are a rising issue in Florida.
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More motorcyclists and bicyclists died in crashes last year than in 2020, and in recognition of Motorcycle and Bicycle Safety Awareness Month in May, the Florida Highway Patrol and Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles are reminding motorists to safely share the road.
In 2021, there were 6,392 bicycle crashes and 182 bicycle fatalities in Florida, up from 158 fatalities in 2020. Of the 8,625 motorcycle crashes last year, 583 were fatal — an increase of about 14% from the previous year.
On average, there were nearly 290 motorcycle and bicycle crashes per week in the state last year.
Motorcycle crashes up in Walton, Okaloosa
Data from Signal Four Analytics, a statewide tool used to analyze crash data provided by the FDHSMV, shows that the number of crashes also rose slightly in Walton and Okaloosa counties, with around 33 total bicyclist and motorcyclist fatalities last year.
The data lump bicycle and pedestrian crashes together. Th
ere were about 30 bicycle crashes and 28 motorcycle crashes reported in Okaloosa County last year, with close to half of motorcycle crashes being fatal. Bicycle and pedestrian crashes dropped slightly in Walton County, but motorcycle crashes rose to 13 — six of which were fatal.
“We’ve seen a rise across the state, so I’m sure that our area contributed to that, being that we have some of the best beaches in Florida,” said Lt. Jason King, public information officer for the FHP’s Troop. “We have cyclists and motorcyclists that like to visit the area.”
Last weekend there were at least six motorcycle crashes reported in the region and two fatalities. King said motorcyclists were traveling to Panama City Beach from the east and the west, which likely contributed to more crashes in the Panhandle.
“Two is too many in our book because we believe in safety and keeping everyone alive,” he said of the fatalities.
Crashes also tend to increase when the weather becomes warmer and more cyclists take to the roads. A DeFuniak Springs man was injured Tuesday when a pickup truck struck his motorcycle on U.S. Highway 90 in Okaloosa County.
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Another vehicle struck the motorcycle while it was disabled in the road. The man’s injuries were non-life-threatening, but many motorcycle and bicycle crashes tend to be more severe.
“When you’re dealing with bicyclists and motorcyclists, it’s almost like a vehicle versus pedestrian,” King said. ”There’s very little protection and there’s a lot of trauma that goes with a 6,000 pound vehicle crushing into someone on a bicycle or motorcycle.”
Motorcyclists and bicyclists can sometimes be hard to see, and King said it is vital that motorists keep their eyes and attention on the road. Many crashes can be attributed to drivers getting distracted or not giving cyclists enough space.
“What we’ve tried to convey to our citizens and visitors is motorcyclists and bicyclists basically have the exact same rights to the roadway,” King said. “Be patient. Don’t make your turns in front of them. Ride behind them. Give them their due right to the roadway.”
New protections for cyclists
By law, drivers must give bicyclists a minimum of 3 feet of clearance when driving alongside or passing them. In June 2021, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed new legislation aimed at making roads safer for bicyclists and pedestrians.
Senate Bill 950 provides that no-passing zones do not apply to drivers who safely and briefly drive to the left of center of the road to pass a bicycle or pedestr
ian. The bill also requires a vehicle making a right turn while passing a bicycle to only do so if the bike is 20 feet from the intersection.
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“It gives the driver the ability to drive around a cyclist in an area that’s commonly marked as a no-passing zone,” King said of the law. “They’re asking you to use common sense safety and be aware of oncoming traffic and don’t ride close to the bicyclists, but give them that right to have safety.”
Other ways to safely share the road
Additionally, drivers should never attempt to share the lane with a motorcycle. Motorcyclists are entitled to the entire lane. Drives also should maintain a 4-second buffer zone between themselves and a motorcyclist and increase space during bad weather.
“Be aware of our surroundings. Be aware of distractions and reduce them. And be defensive drivers,” King said. “Play the ‘What if’ game — ‘What if this car does this? What am I going to do? If this bicyclist does this, how am I going to react? — instead of just aimlessly driving down the road.”
Bicyclists also should wear something reflective or brightly colored, and should not use headphones or earbuds while on a road. King said a number of crashes happen between sunset and sunrise when it becomes harder to see cyclists.
Florida statutes require bicyclists to have a white light visible from 500 feet on the front of the bicycle and a red reflector and a red light visible from 600 feet on the rear. Motorcyclists also should have their lights on at night and wear reflective clothing.
“We notice that a lot of times cyclists may be on a dark bicycle with no reflective material and they cross maybe in an area with no street lights,” King said. “Then at the last second you come into someone’s headlights while they’re driving. The reactionary time is greatly reduced for that driver to avoid the crash.”
Driving a car or even a bike while intoxicated is not only illegal, but very dangerous. King said people should find an alternate way to get home if drinking, such as an Uber or Lyft or having a designated driver. And above all else, stay alert on the road.
“Everybody likes to ride bikes and motorcycles along the shore ways of Florida, and it’s all about having fun and creating a great environment for people to visit,” King said. “Arrive alive. E, enjoy Florida’s beaches and let’s stay safe.”
This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Over 30 killed in NWFL: Motorcycle, bicycle fatalities up last year