Hwy 98 & 83, car/motorcycle accident

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.

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.

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.

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.

DOT has decided to reduce speed limit from 65 to 55 from 331 to 1000 feet west of 83 intersection.

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.

I just read on facebook they are Installing some type of light at Blue Mountain beach intersection at hwy. 83/98....

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....

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.

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.

Deputies with radar guns now. A dozen tickets Saturday morning and one mandatory court appearance for someone doing 97mph.

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..............

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.

Why does WCSO have FHP work wrecks on 98, while OCSO works their own crashes?

Another tragic accident with a motorcycle...


Walton County man killed in Okaloosa County crash

Deputies with radar guns now. A dozen tickets Saturday morning and one mandatory court appearance for someone doing 97mph.

97 is ridiculous! They should have their license taken away!

Dave's services are today. Thoughts and prayers for family are appreciated.

97 is ridiculous! They should have their license taken away!

Here we go again, REACTIVE as opposed to PROACTIVE.

While its great WCSO was out there doing something, why did we have to wait for a death for the sheriff to get this going? They had plenty of time to prepare but instead of doing so, now React and we have one local life lost and another ruined.

I've always said it, Sheriff Mike needs to be Proactive and not Reactive.

Let's not forget his initial hesitation to do anything aggressive about Spring Break. It took him being shamed into understanding what the public wanted at Commissioner Commander Town Hall Meeting at Seascape.

Dave's services are today. Thoughts and prayers for family are appreciated.

I was eating lunch in Freeport today and witnessed what I assume were the "Black Creek Riders" being escorted by the police to David's funeral service going towards Niceville. Sad and beautiful at the same time.

From Florida Department of Transportation District 3:

Temporary Restricted Median Scheduled for U.S. 98 in Walton County

Chipley- The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will temporarily restrict median access on U.S. 98 (State Road 30) at the intersection County Road (C.R.) 83 (Old Blue Mountain Road) in Walton County beginning 9 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 17.

FDOT crews will install temporary curbing with reflective delineator posts in the median to allow Walton County personnel preparation time to install a temporary signal at the intersection. During the restriction, C.R. 83 and Old Blue Mountain Highway Road traffic will be prohibited from making left hand turns onto U.S. 98.

All activities are weather dependent and may be delayed or rescheduled in the event of inclement weather. Drivers are reminded to pay attention to the speed limit when traveling.

For more information, follow the Florida Department of Transportation District Three on Twitter @myfdot_nwfl or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MyFDOTNWFL.


www.dot.state.fl.us

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FDOT and WCSO Sheriff = Reactive.

Public wants = Proactive.

Let's not make the same mistakes AGAIN...

I was driving down 98 today and slowed down to 50 when I approached this intersection. I noticed that there was no deputy with his lights on, like there usually is, and just as I was passing the intersection, a truck with a big yellow decal across the back that said "Look twice for motorcycles" sped by me going at least 65.

Did you get his tag number?

I was driving down 98 today and slowed down to 50 when I approached this intersection. I noticed that there was no deputy with his lights on, like there usually is, and just as I was passing the intersection, a truck with a big yellow decal across the back that said "Look twice for motorcycles" sped by me going at least 65.

I know they talked about it,but have they lowered the speed limit from 65?
This should have been a 45 mph zone since draper bridge closed...

I know they talked about it,but have they lowered the speed limit from 65?
This should have been a 45 mph zone since draper bridge closed...

Yes, the 65mph sign just east of Publix has been changed to 55mph.