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Hwy 98 & 83, car/motorcycle accident

steel1man avatar
steel1manBeach Fanatic
14,278 views
@Highway 83 and 98 Dangerous intersection due to no traffic light at a busy Public Beach access road.
Multiple officers/cars on site, at least one fire engine ... appeared to be body/bodies on highway...I pray I'm wrong about bodies..

Replies

52
Dawn avatar
DawnBeach Fanatic
#27
Possibly the deputies sitting in cars could get out of the cars and direct traffic during heaviest use?
Way too dangerous for the person on the road. Especially at night.

The official detour was moved to 283 (Grayton Road) quite awhile ago. The only option that might help would be to close 83. Or at least north bound. Make people go to 283 where the light is. Adjust the light timing as needed to alleviate backups.

On a side note - the county says the project is still on time to be completed by March 1. If not then there will be hell to pay.
PoppaJ avatar
PoppaJSoWal Insider
#28
Stop people from turning left onto 98 from 83. Everyone turns right and those wishing to go west have to make a uturn. This is not the end of the world and the bridge would probably be done before a light can be installed.

You can also use 283 (the Grayton road).
I am working that area this week and do this every day. The turn around lane is just a short distance east and is large enough to swing wide and be facing west before having to enter flowing traffic. A much safer method than crossing eastbound traffic.
Matt J avatar
Matt JSWGB
#29
Of course people can also remember they moved here for a laid back slower pace of life and take their time instead of treating 30A and it's tributaries like a race track.
John G avatar
John GBeach Fanatic
#30
Just yesterday, around 11:30am, was behind a Jack Hole driving about 75mph. They were in and out of traffic as they approached the intersection. Deputy sat there talking on his cell phone. Driver never slowed and continued to drive like a jerk...

As for suggestions about deputies "directing" traffic... That's just laughable. WCSO doesn't know how to direct traffic.

Just last night around 5:15pm, you had three WCSO vehilces with lights on all standing around talking after moving the two vehicle crash off of 98 in front of Small Mart (Wal Mart).

Traffic was backed up for about 30 min. Would have been nice to have someone with a reflective vest and flashlight moving the rubber neckers on.
Kurt avatar
KurtAdmin
#31
DOT has decided to reduce speed limit from 65 to 55 from 331 to 1000 feet west of 83 intersection.
jodiFL avatar
jodiFLBeach Fanatic
#32
Cant wait to see what 331 will look like every morning once the temporary light makes 98 a parking lot from 6:30 til 9am...
DOT has decided to reduce speed limit from 65 to 55 from 331 to 1000 feet west of 83 intersection.
They might as well just remove the 65 all together because it only goes for about a 1000 feet west of 83 anyways.
And it seems to me that the only accidents have been in the eastbound lanes.
Misty avatar
MistyBanned
#33
I just read on facebook they are Installing some type of light at Blue Mountain beach intersection at hwy. 83/98....
steel1man avatar
steel1manBeach FanaticAuthor
#34
Thanks for taking down the Public beach access signs on 98 at highway 83.this will help with traffic and parking at BMB....Cindy Meadows said this would happen last summer 2015 along with 30A parking space problems. now I hear they (commission) are actually following through with their 2015 promised plan....
Beach Runner avatar
Beach Runnerbeats on hood
#35
Cant wait to see what 331 will look like every morning once the temporary light makes 98 a parking lot from 6:30 til 9am...
They might as well just remove the 65 all together because it only goes for about a 1000 feet west of 83 anyways.
And it seems to me that the only accidents have been in the eastbound lanes.
I totally agree. If you're going east from Sandestin, you have 55, then 45 around 393, then 55, then 65 for a short stretch, then 55 except for 45 at the 331, 283, and 395 intersections (and that's where I turn -- BTW are those 45s ever enforced?). The 65 in such a short stretch is ridiculous.

So sorry about these horrible accidents. :(

Edited

liz coats avatar
liz coatsBeach Lover
#36
Wow. Most of the comments on this post are all about how this accident and the traffic is messing up life for south Walton residents. I'm praying for this person's family and friends. My dad rides a motorcycle and I worry about him every time he rides. Sorry if accidents like this make it inconvenient for some of you. The growth and traffic is only going to get worse.
Matt J avatar
Matt JSWGB
#37
Deputies with radar guns now. A dozen tickets Saturday morning and one mandatory court appearance for someone doing 97mph.
jodiFL avatar
jodiFLBeach Fanatic
#38
Deputies with radar guns now. A dozen tickets Saturday morning and one mandatory court appearance for someone doing 97mph.
Better late than never I guess......:doh:....:rolleyes:....
HD Lady avatar
HD LadyBeach Fanatic
#39
If you pass by the intersection of Hwy 98 and County Hwy 83 you may notice a cross that has been put up to remember Dave's untimely death. There is also a vehicle parked some distance South of the intersection on the East right-of-way remembering Dave and asking motorist to slow down and look twice for motorcycles. Dave's funeral services will be tomorrow in Niceville. Please remember the family in your prayers.

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