|
While the number of bicyclist fatalities in Florida may seem small at 107 out of 2,558, it was the highest number of such fatalities in 2009. This is a disturbing fact for Daytona Beach lawyers. Florida drivers apparently just aren’t paying enough attention. The rate of bicyclist fatalities was 5.77 per million people, nearly triple what it was for the entire nation. The expansion of trails, paths and lanes for bicyclists has helped in the state. Several county governments continue to work on extending them. In East Central Florida, there are two trails under development. In Volusia County, there is the Spring to Spring Trail, which runs from Gemini Springs Park in DeBary north 26 miles to DeLeon Springs State Spark. In Flagler County, there is Bulow Trails, Graham Swamp, Lehigh Trail, Linear Park and Princess Place Reserve. The St. Johns River to the Sea Loop has 19 miles in Flagler County, mostly along the Atlantic Ocean. The trails and paths are great, but as people seek to use bicycles for more transportation, bicycle lanes are coming more important and something Florida cities are making an effort to expand. There was even a law passed in the state in 2006 that established as a rule that motorists must give bicycle riders at least three feet of clearance when they pass them. The law has its detractors from critics who say the distance isn’t enough or that it isn’t be enforced, but Daytona Beach lawyers hope it’s a rule all motorists will learn to follow. As gasoline prices have gone up and environmental concerns continue to weigh heavy on the minds of Floridians, bicycle use will continue to grow. Pedal power is the best way to fight high fuel prices and air pollution. But that means the chance for more bicycle-auto accidents is much greater. Bicyclists have a responsible to ride safely and wear the proper safety equipment, but no matter how safe bicyclists ride, they are no match for a 2,000-pound automobile. Vehicle operators will be the key to reducing bicycle fatalities in the Sunshine State and the sooner they become more aware of keeping an eye out for bicycles, the better. Daytona Beach lawyers support the expansion of bicycle use and safety on the highways, and hope when the 2010 statistics are released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration it will show improvement in Florida. Daytona Beach, Fla.-based law firm Seitz & Tresher focuses on personal injury and wrongful death cases, including those involving bicycle accidents.
Related Articles -
Daytona, Beach, Lawyers,
| 
