JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — “I’ve been involved in two accidents, both caused by drivers pulling out in front of me while I was traveling on a straight path. They either started moving from a stop or simply didn’t notice me,” shared Chase Iverson, a motorcycle enthusiast.

Iverson, preparing for a ride with the Official Jacksonville Rockets—a local motorcycle club dedicated to safety—discussed the challenges he faces on the road. He expressed concerns about the increasing number of distracted drivers, often preoccupied with their phones.

Fellow club member, Zach Auhn, echoed Iverson’s sentiments.

“It’s important for drivers to take an extra moment, look both ways, and be mindful of our sizable motorcycle community here in Jacksonville,” Auhn emphasized.

Since January 2025, there have been 36 motorcycle-related traffic deaths in Duval County alone. A number that law enforcement is well aware of. 

“We’ve seen a little bit of increase over this,” said Commander Scott Lundquist with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. “And I think it’s there’s probably a lot of things that contribute to it. We’ve had a couple of electric motorcycles that have crashed. They fall into the motorcycle category. So that does cause it. And as you’re seeing a spike in electric motorcycles, bikes, things like that. That’s where you’re going to see a little bit of an increase in that, because people aren’t taking the same precautions on electric bikes as they are like regular motorcycles.”

Commander Lundquist has been riding a motorcycle for more than 10 years. He says that while motorcycle riders have to do their part in being cautious, so do drivers of vehicles. 

“A lot of what we’ve seen over the years is, is people making left-hand turns in front of motorcycles at intersections,” said Lundquist. “And so again, it’s it’s kind of twofold but then the other thing we’ve seen a lot of we’ve seen a lot of sports bikes, that just want to go fast and the two biggest things when you learn to ride a motorcycle, two of the biggest things that they tell you that are causes of crashes are speed and curve negotiations. “

Regi Davis, the riding academy manager for Harley Davidson in Orange Park and St. Augustine, agrees.

“All too often, a motorcycle’s right of way gets violated by a left-turning vehicle at an intersection,” said Davis. “So as a motorcyclist, guess what I’m going to say you should do? You come into an intersection, slow down. Don’t be the first in the intersection.”

Davis says as a rider he always tries to anticipate what another driver is getting ready to do. 

“If the wheels are turning, the car is moving,” said Davis. “So you should be ready to slow down and let that car get past you, even though if you do have the right of way.”

Both Davis and Commander Lundquist recommend riders wear protective clothing when riding, especially reflective gear so that other drivers can see them better and make sure their bikes have plenty of lights. But ultimately, it comes down to making sure that you’re paying attention when you’re driving so that you and your fellow drivers make it to your destination safely. 

“Everybody, or most everybody who rides a motorcycle also drives a car or a vehicle,” said Davis. “So if you’re not the kind of a person who pays attention while you’re driving your car, chances are you may not be as, aware or attentive on a motorcycle.”