52-year-old, Thomas Sykes of New Jersey was injured in a motorcycle v. vehicle crash in New Port earlier on this date.  According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), Mr. Sykes was eastbound on Perrine Ranch Road when a motor vehicle made a left turn from Seven Springs Road, and the two vehicles collided.

FHP confirmed that Mr. Sykes was transported to Bayfront Medical Center via Bayflite helicopter.  The accident remains under investigation at this time.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) continues to promote motorcycle safety and awareness through their “Share the Road” campaign.  Although May was officially Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, the safety facts and tips published by NHTSA apply year round:

• Motorcycles are vehicles with the same rights and privileges as any motor vehicle on the roadway. Drivers of other passenger vehicles should always remember to follow these steps to help keep motorcyclists safe:

o       Allow a motorcyclist the full lane width. Although it may seem as though there is enough room in a traffic lane for both an automobile and a motorcycle, the motorcycle needs the full room to ma­neuver safely. Do not share the lane.

o       Always signal your intentions before changing lanes or merging with traffic. This allows the mo­torcyclist to anticipate traffic flow and find a safe lane position.

o       Remember that motorcyclists are often hidden in a vehicle’s blind spot or missed in a quick look due to their smaller size. Always make a visual check for motorcycles by checking mirrors and blind spots before entering or leaving a lane of traffic and at intersections.

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  • Don’t be fooled by a flashing turn signal on a mo­torcycle – motorcycle signals usually are not self-canceling and riders sometimes forget to turn them off. Wait to be sure the motorcycle is going to turn before you proceed.

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  • Remember that road conditions which are minor annoyances to passenger vehicles pose major hazards to motor­cyclists. Be aware that motorcyclists may need to change speed or adjust their position within a lane suddenly in reaction to road and traffic conditions such as potholes, gravel, wet or slippery surfaces, pavement seams, railroad crossings, and grooved pavement.

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  • Allow more following distance, three or four sec­onds, when following a motorcycle so the motorcyclist has enough time to maneuver or stop in an emer­gency. And don’t tailgate. In dry conditions, motorcycles can stop more quickly than cars.

• Motorcyclists have responsibilities, too, by following the rules of the roadway, being alert to other drivers, and always wearing protective gear.

• Too often, in a crash, the drivers of other vehicles involved say they never saw the motorcyclist and failed to respond in time. This is no excuse.  Too many lives are being lost. 

• Our message to all drivers is: Help make this the first year in recent years when motorcycle fatalities do not increase. “Share the Road” with motorcycles.

Here at the Law Office of James W. Dodson, P.A., we offer our prayers for a speedy and complete recovery for Mr. Sykes.