Both the Flagler County Sheriff's Office and Volusia Sheriff's Office have announced they'll be doing increased patrols for Bike Week 2024, the Daytona-based event that draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The congestion that results from Bike Week tends to affect both Volusia and Flagler counties, leading to more potential for traffic accidents and violations.
This year, the event is expected to bring some 300,000 visitors according to figures from the FCSO's statement. The traffic will also bring highly increased patronage to a number of participating businesses up and down major roads like SR-A1A and US-1.
In Flagler County, the FCSO is asking those who see suspicious activity to report their findings to the non-emergency line, at (386) 313-4911. Those experiencing an emergency are, as always, urged to call 911. Deputies will be on patrol across Flagler County on the lookout for aggressive drivers, inebriated drivers, reckless drivers, and vehicle theft, as well as to manage heavy traffic.
“If you are participating in Bike Week this year, we want to make sure that you do so safely and use common sense,” said Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly. “We will have zero tolerance for drinking and driving and aggressive driving. Our deputies will be out actively patrolling but we ask that everyone drive safely. Be vigilant and drive free from distractions to avoid any dangerous conditions. Remember, look twice to save a life and if you see something suspicious, say something by reporting it to FCSO.”
In Volusia County, the VSO is exercising its High Visibility Enforcement Program, a traffic initiative engineered by the Florida Department of Transportation to educate motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians on safe roadway practices. Deputies will be watching for speeding, stop sign violations, crosswalk violations, turn signal infractions, and texting while driving among other things.
Bike Week festivities will be centered in Volusia County, and so traffic will likely be most affected in major event zones in Daytona Beach and Ormond Beach. Celebrations at Destination Daytona and the Broken Spoke Saloon, as well as the Ocean Walk area in Daytona Beach tend to be the most active areas.
