Comments on: Sheriff David Morgan Involved In Minor Traffic Accident

By: David

David — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 00:19:59 +0000

Happened to me in the 70’s and my wife a month later when we were turning right out of a busy street onto a busy street and a guy on a bike was flying by,hit the front of the car as each of us was pulling out and got knocked off the bike. Fortunately neither was hurt. Parents and FHP were called in both instances and upon determination the cyclist was wrong in both cases both parents in each case and the FHP lectured them with very stern words about riding on the wrong side of the road and on the side walks.

Glad they were not hurt and hope it may have prevented a worse tragedy that could have happened later on.

By: puddin

puddin — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 22:48:47 +0000

Stumpknocker,
Thanks for enlightenment on the bicycle law. I was wrong about that. As a law enforcement official, which I am pretty sure you are, you would understand that a trained L.E.O., and not a Guard of Aircraft would be better trained in defensive driving. Just saying! Thanks for the heads up.

By: Jim D

Jim D — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 14:54:27 +0000

This is one of the examples why many states prohibit bicycles from using sidewalks. I actually had to look up to see if it was legal in Florida, and it is, and even though they move much faster than pedestrians, they have pedestrian rights while on the sidewalk which is crazy. Even the Florida Bicycle Association states on their website: “Adult bicyclists do not belong on the sidewalk” because “it actually increases your risk of being hit by a car because it aggravates turning and crossing conflicts” (floridabicycle.org/drive-your-bike/).

By: Carl

Carl — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 13:58:49 +0000

Bicycle are responsible to watch for pedestrians and vehicles. Just like riding on the road they should go with the flow of traffic instead of facing it as pedestrians do. This was clearly the bicyclist fault.

By: Pensacola Pete

Pensacola Pete — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 13:55:25 +0000

State law says bicycles are not to be operated on sidewalks, sidewalks are for pedestrians. Bicycles are to be operated like any other vehicle, on the roadway, following the same rules as automobiles and motorcycles. What would the comments be if it was a motorcycle, dirtbike or four-wheeler on the sidewalk traveling against traffic?

Maybe we should expect people to obey the laws instead of blaming the ones enforcing those laws for not being perfect.

By: Stumpknocker

Stumpknocker — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 13:36:20 +0000

Hey puddin, you are wrong about one thing motorists do not have to yield to someone on a bike,the person ridding the bike must follow all traffic laws as if they were driving a car, to include ridding in the same direction as traffic. This same thing happened to me and the person on the bike was cited for traveling in the wrong direction on a sidewalk while ridding a bike, I am thankful my in car video captured the incident. Yeah kinda funny the guy wanted to leave until he found out it was the Sheriff and he decided to stick around to take a ride with EMS and collect a check,he is the one that should have cited.

By: Don

Don — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 11:28:40 +0000

The bicyclist wanted to leave as he was not hurt,but seems to have changed his mind with ems? ($$$$$$$$$$$$$$$) opportunity knocks(you down)

By: Gary

Gary — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 10:54:10 +0000

Sheriff Morgan has been the best LEO this country has EVER had. This incident was not his fault and trust me, FHP would cite him if it was his fault.

Perhaps we should go back to the Vince Seely or Ronnie Mac type of Sheriff???

By: Joe

Joe — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 10:36:27 +0000

I work in the area known as Englewood. A four lane road, you are turning right, so you are looking to the left to clear traffic. You pull out and some idiot is riding a bike down the sidewalk in the wrong direction. I have seen it. You cannot issue a ticket for stupid.

By: puddin

puddin — Sat, 25 Jul 2015 04:36:19 +0000

Regardless of what people say, it is the law to yield for pedestrians and bikes. Yes it is an accident and it could happen to anyone but when you put on a uniform, you are held to a hugher standard. He might need to learn from his employees how to deal better with emergency situations.