In Florida bicycles are defined by law as vehicles. As such, bicyclists have the same roadway rights and responsibilities as the operators of any other vehicle. The basic concept to remember when cycling or as a motorist is that we must share the road. If bicyclists and motorists treat each other with respect then all road users will benefit.

Almost 75% of all cycling deaths are caused by head injuries. Each year thousands of serious head injuries could be prevented if all cyclists wore bike helmets. Although not required by law (unless you are under the age of 16) the Sheriff’s Office strongly recommends you wear an approved bicycle helmet.

Riding while intoxicated is extremely dangerous. Intoxication causes delayed reaction time and blurred vision. Additionally, you can be arrested for operating a bicycle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The sections below summarize important rules of the road. For more information, please see the complete Florida Statute Section cited.

General Bicycle Regulations – Section 316.2065
• A bicyclist must obey all traffic controls and signals including stop signs and stop lights.
• No bicycle may be used to carry more people at one time than the number for which it is made.
• At least one hand must be kept on the handlebars while riding.

Lighting – Section 316.2065
• A bicycle operated between sunset and sunrise must be equipped with a light on the front that is visible from 500 feet and both a rear reflector and a red light on the rear visible from 600 feet.
• Additional lighting is permitted and recommended.

Roadway Position – Section 316.2065
• A bicyclist must ride as close as practicable to the right hand curb or edge of the road. A bicyclist may leave the right-most portion of the road in the following situations: when passing, making a left turn, to avoid hazards, or when a lane is too narrow for bicycle and car to share it safely.
• Riding in single file is required except on sidewalks or when two people riding side-by-side within one lane will not impede traffic.

    - FDOT has determined that 14ft is the minimum width which allows most motor vehicles to pass cyclists within the travel lane. 
    - If the cyclist feels that the typical traffic on the roadway cannot pass within the lane while maintaining a three foot buffer, the bicyclist is permitted to use the entire lane. 
    - When using the entire lane the bicyclist should consider speed limits, traffic congestion and traffic flow so as not to create an unreasonable obstruction of traffic that could create a safety hazard for motorists or the bicyclist. 
    - Bicycle drivers are not required to keep right, and are encouraged, for their safety, to occupy enough lane that motorists recognize they must change lanes to pass. By riding this way, cyclists can avoid road hazards, operate more predictably, encourage overtaking motorists to pass safely and discourage common motorist mistakes that result in crashes.

Sidewalk Riding – Section 316.2065
• When riding on sidewalks or in crosswalks, a bicyclist has the same rights and duties as a pedestrian.
• A bicyclist riding on sidewalks or in crosswalks must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, and must give an audible signal before passing.

Signaling Turns – Sub-Section 316.155(2) and 316.157(2)
• A bicyclist may signal intent or turn right either by extending the left hand and arm upward or by extending the right hand and arm horizontally to the right side of the bicycle.

Headsets – Sub-Section 316.304
• A bicyclist must not wear a headset, headphone, or other listening device other than a hearing aid when riding. Wearing a headset blocks out important audio cues needed to detect the presence of other traffic.

Click here to download a bicycle safety flier.

Every child is a precious gift. It is tragic for a child to be injured or killed in a motor vehicle crash. But the facts still remain…motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death and injury to young children. 

If children are not properly restrained while traveling in a motor vehicle, they do not have a fair chance if the vehicle swerves sharply, makes a sudden stop or is in a collision. 

When transporting a child in a motor vehicle, Florida law requires that you must properly use a child restraint system conforming to applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards…it could mean your child's life. 

This section will help you understand some child restraint basics and guide you in protecting your children every time you travel in a vehicle.

CAR SEAT INSPECTIONS:

To make an appointment for car seat inspections please call Marianna Herrera at 239-252-0367 or email her at marianna.herrera@colliersheriff.org

Click here for car seat checkups ad educational workshops

Child car seat and car safety flyer in English and in Spanish

Click here for more information on child passenger safety.

Click here to read Florida Statute 316.613, which governs child restraint requirements.

Click here to read Florida Statute 316.614, which governs safety belt useage.

DRIVING IS MORE DANGEROUS FOR OLDER DRIVERS

Although relatively few deaths of older (over 55) drivers involve motor vehicles, they have higher rates of fatal crashes than all but the youngest drivers.

WHY IS THAT?

• Older drivers do not cope as well as younger ones with complex traffic situations and multiple-vehicle crashes at intersections increase markedly with age.

• Older people are more susceptible than younger ones to medical complications following motor vehicle crash injuries. This means they are more likely to die from their injuries.

ARE YOU A 55-PLUS DRIVER?

Would you like to check how well your personal vehicle "fits" you? The CarFit program was developed through collaboration among the American Society on Aging, AAA AARP and the American Occupational Therapy Association.

Trained specialists go through a 12-point checklist to see how well you and your car go together.  

Call to get more information or make an appointment please call 239-252-0231

DHSMV has established the below methods for citizens to report suspected abuse of handicap parking privileges. A complaint can be made by: 

• Completing and submitting the form via the internet at https://services.flhsmv.gov/parkingpermitabuse/ 

• Completing the attached form and mailing/emailing/faxing the form to Tallahassee 

• Calling the abuse hotline at 850-617-3803 

Need A Driver's License Or Identification Card?

The Florida DHSMV has set up a www.gathergoget.com to assist with renewals or drivers license and identification cards. Here is some information that might be helpful if you need to get a DL or ID card.

You Must Visit A Driver's License Office In Person If:

• If you are applying for your first driver's license or identification card
• When your current credential expires and you have already used the one-time "convenience" renewal option
• If you legally change your name by either marriage or divorce

Can I Still Renew Online Or By Mail?

You are allowed to renew one time by a convenience method (Internet or mail). Your next renewal must then be in a driver license office. For example, if you renewed your license online in March 2009, you will need to visit a driver's license office for your next renewal.

When You Don't Need To Visit The Driver's License Office:

You can renew a license online. Holders of a Florida driver's license issued since 2002 may renew at their local driver's license office, on-line or by mail. You may renew your license up to 18 months prior to expiration. 

If you don't need to go to the office, skip the trip and renew online at www.GoRenew.com. You can renew your driver's license, identifications card, vehicle tags and change your address. 

If you have any other questions that can’t be answered at the website, please visit or contact one of the following offices: 

Collier County Tax Collector Tax Collector 
50 Wilson Boulevard South 
Naples, FL 34117 
Operation: 9am-6pm 
Phone: (239) 348-1011 
Services: License Issuance, US and Non-US Citizens 

Eagle Creek Tax Collector Tax Collector 
12668 East Tamiami Trail 
Naples, FL 34113-0000 
Operation: 9am-6pm 
Phone: (239) 417-3036 
Services: License Issuance, US and Non-US Citizens 

Immokalee Tax Collector Tax Collector 
106 South First Street 
Immokalee, FL 34142-0000 
Operation: 8am-5pm 
Phone: (239) 657-2054 
Services: License Issuance, US and Non-US Citizens 

Naples Tax Collector Tax Collector 
2348 Immokalee Road 
Naples, FL 34110-0000 
Operation: 9am-6pm 
Phone: (239) 596-2653 
Services: License Issuance, US and Non-US Citizens 

Naples Tax Collector Tax Collector 
725 Airport Road, South 
Naples, FL 34104-0000 
Operation: 8am-5pm 
Phone: (239) 434-4600 
Services: License Issuance, Driving Test , US and Non-US Citizens 

6. Naples-Tax Collector Tax Collector 
2335 Orange Blossom Drive 
Naples, FL 34109-8840 
Operation: 9pm-6pm 
Phone: (239) 434-4600 
Services: License Issuance, Driving Test , US and Non-US Citizens 

7. Tax Collector-Golden Gate Tax Collector 
4715 Golden Gate Parkway 
Naples, FL 34116-0000 
Operation: 9am-6pm 
Phone: (239) 455-2858 
Services: License Issuance, US and Non-US Citizens 

8. Tax Collector-Marco Island Tax Collector 
1040 Winterberry Drive 
Marco Island, FL 34145-0000 
Operation: 8am-5pm 
Phone: (239) 394-6986 
Services: License Issuance, US Citizens only