Daytona Beach, FL – (February 27, 2025) As thousands of riders prepare to roll into Daytona Beach for the world-famous Bike Week 2025, Halifax Health, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), and RideSMART are teaming up to put safety first. At a press event held today at Halifax Health, officials and advocates emphasized the importance of proactive safety measures to prevent motorcycle-related injuries and fatalities.
“Halifax Health plays a critical role during Bike Week—not just as the region’s trauma center, but as a partner in promoting rider safety and injury prevention,” said Lindsay Duffy, RN and Director of Nursing at Halifax Health. “We’re seeing progress, but every injury prevented is a life saved.”
In 2024, 92 motorcycle crashes were reported during Bike Week, leading to 180 trauma patients and five fatalities. However, efforts to raise awareness and promote safe riding have contributed to a reduction in trauma admissions from 122 in 2023 to 100 in 2024.
Ride SMART 2 Daytona: A Statewide Safety Movement
RideSMART, a coalition dedicated to motorcycle safety, launched the Ride SMART 2 Daytona campaign to ensure that riders make safety-conscious decisions before, during, and after Bike Week.
“Riding smart means having fun while prioritizing safety,” said Edith Peters, RideSMART Representative. “Our five core principles—Stay Sober, Make Yourself Visible, Always Wear a Helmet, Ride in Control, and Train & Get Endorsed—are proven to reduce risk and save lives.”
This year, the Ride SMART 2 Daytona campaign will be more visible than ever, featuring digital highway messaging, outreach events, and interactive challenges like the RideSMART Challenge—a quiz testing riders on Florida motorcycle safety laws.
FDOT’s Role in Safer Roads for Riders
FDOT plays a critical role in keeping Florida roads safe, particularly during large-scale events like Bike Week.
FDOT is committed to getting every rider home safely and ensuring road conditions are optimal, suspending construction in key areas, and using data-driven strategies to prevent crashes and improve rider awareness.
“Behind every rider is a family, a circle of friends, a community that loves them,” said Britney Jones, Communications Manager for FDOT District Five. “This Bike Week—and every week—remember to Ride SMART, drive responsibly, and let’s keep working together to ‘Get Everyone Home Safely’.”
FDOT’s Target Zero initiative aims to eliminate traffic-related deaths by encouraging responsible riding and driving behavior. The department is also collaborating with Daytona Tortugas Baseball to display motorcycle safety banners and reinforcing the safety message through digital signage on state roads and interstates.
A Unique Approach: Koda the Fluff Joins the Safety Movement
Adding a lighthearted but powerful touch to the safety conversation is Koda the Fluff, a 9-year-old Pomeranian and the first ambassador of Smiles Fur Miles, Inc..
“Koda proves that even the smallest advocate can have a big impact,” said Jena McKinstry, Koda’s handler. “Through therapy dog visits and community engagement, Koda helps make safety education accessible and engaging.” To see Koda’s latest video with Halifax Health physicians, click here.
Law Enforcement’s Commitment to a Safe Bike Week
The Daytona Beach Police Department will be actively monitoring high-traffic areas, educating riders on licensing requirements, and working to prevent impaired riding.
“Safety starts before you hit the road,” said [Daytona PD Representative]. “We want everyone to have a great time at Bike Week, but we also want to make sure they ride responsibly and get home safely.”
A Shared Responsibility for Safety
Halifax Health, FDOT, RideSMART, and law enforcement officials all agree—motorcycle safety is a shared responsibility. Whether through helmet use, responsible riding, or simply staying alert, every rider can play a part in making Bike Week 2025 the safest yet.
About Halifax Health:
Halifax Health is the leading healthcare provider for Volusia and Flagler counties, offering a comprehensive range of services through a network that includes a tertiary hospital, two community hospitals, an urgent care network, psychiatric services, and a specialized cancer treatment center with multiple outreach locations. As the area’s only provider of a Level II Trauma Center, Center for Transplant Services, and a Pediatric Emergency Department staffed 24/7 by board-certified pediatricians, Halifax Health is also home to the region's longest-standing Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center, Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and Child and Adolescent Behavioral Services. In addition, Halifax Health has collaborated with UF Health to bring over fourteen specialties to the area.
Recognized for excellence and innovation, Halifax Health consistently receives top ratings, including a 5 STAR rating in the CMS Quality of Patient Care, multiple accreditations from CARF International for inpatient rehabilitation, and the prestigious Novalis Certification of Excellence for its cancer treatment center. The organization has also achieved a 3 Star Rating from the Society of Thoracic Surgery for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery, is designated as a Comprehensive Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence, and has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a Best Hospital, with high performance in heart failure and knee and hip replacement. Halifax Health Hospice is repeatedly honored as the Top Rated and Most Recommended Hospice in Central Florida, underscoring its commitment to providing the highest level of care. With a legacy of excellence and community service since 1928, Halifax Health continues to set the standard for quality and compassionate care in the region.
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