Daytona Beach, FL – (March 1, 2024) As Bike Week 2023 drew motorcycle enthusiasts from far and wide to Daytona Beach, Halifax Health witnessed a surge in trauma-related admissions, underlining the importance of safety during this annual event.
A total of 200 trauma-related patients were admitted during Bike Week 2023, with a significant portion directly linked to Bike Week activities. Among these admissions, 122 were attributed to Bike Week-related incidents, marking a notable increase compared to previous years.
Lindsay Duffy, Director of Nursing, Emergency Services at Halifax Health, expressed concern over the rise in admissions. “The safety of all road users is crucial, especially during high-traffic events like Bike Week,” she remarked. “We urge everyone to ride responsibly and prioritize safety to prevent avoidable injuries. As the only trauma center in the area, Halifax Health is always on call for bikers”
In light of these statistics, Halifax Health has joined the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) in promoting safety initiatives ahead of the upcoming 2024 Daytona Beach Bike Week.
The FDOT’s Ride SMART 2 Daytona campaign, launched in response to the incidents of the previous year, aims to instill a culture of safety among participants and reduce the number of accidents and injuries associated with the event.
With an expected turnout of between 500,000 to 600,000 motorcycle enthusiasts, safety remains a top priority for organizers and healthcare providers alike.
John E. Tyler, P.E., District Five Secretary of the FDOT, reaffirmed the department’s commitment to ensuring the safety of all road users. “Our goal is to create an environment where everyone can enjoy Bike Week responsibly,” he stated. “Through education, enforcement, and community engagement, we aim to make this year’s event safer for everyone involved.”
As preparations for the 2024 Daytona Beach Bike Week gather momentum, Halifax Health urges all participants to heed safety guidelines, ride responsibly, wear helmets and prioritize the well-being of themselves and others on the road.
For more information on Halifax Health and the Ride SMART 2 Daytona campaign, visit Halifax Health and FDOT.
About Halifax Health:
Recognized as one of the 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals™ in the United States by IBM Watson Health™, Halifax Health serves Volusia and Flagler counties, providing a continuum of health care services through a network of organizations including a tertiary hospital, two community hospitals, an urgent care network, psychiatric services, a cancer treatment center with five outreach locations, the area’s largest hospice, a center for inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient rehabilitation clinics, primary care walk-in clinics, a clinic specializing in women’s health, a pediatric care community clinic, three children’s medical practices, a home health care agency and an exclusive provider organization. Halifax Health offers the area’s only Level II Trauma Center, Center for Transplant Services, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Pediatric Emergency Department with board-certified pediatricians on staff 24/7, Child and Adolescent Behavioral Services, OB Emergency Department and Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit that cares for babies born earlier than 28 weeks. It’s also the area’s longest-standing Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center (TSC) offering complete Neurosurgical Services.
