OKEECHOBEE — Another bicyclist was hit by a car this week as a vehicle failed to yield.

At approximately 11:30 a.m. on March 22, a 2018 Chevy Sedan, driven by a 36-year-old man from Ruskin, Fla, was facing south at the stop sign at the intersection of Southwest Third Terrace and Southwest 32nd Street. A bicyclist was traveling eastbound on Southwest 32nd Street and attempted to turn left onto Southwest Third Terrace. The sedan turned left at the same time and hit the 63-year-old bicyclist from New Hampshire.

Both parties reported no injuries and refused medical treatment. The sedan was not damaged and was removed from the scene by the driver. The bicyclist removed his bike from the roadway.

The driver of the sedan was determined to be at fault by Okeechobee County Sheriff’s Deputy Devon Satallante.

Two weeks ago exactly, a 60-year-old man was hit by a hit and run driver as he rode his bicycle near the post office.

Okeechobee City Police Chief Bob Peterson said “With the amount of traffic on the road now, everyone needs to use an extra dose of caution, because there are a lot of bicycles and pedestrians out and about. When a pedestrian or a bicycle is involved in an accident, it’s almost never minor. We all need to pay special attention to our surroundings and look out for each other.” Chief Peterson said he did not think the number of vehicle versus pedestrian accidents was higher than normal. They have been happening occasionally since cars were invented. He does, however, think traffic accidents are more prevalent lately. Just yesterday, March 24, there were four car accidents. “It’s the traffic, more traffic and then people get frustrated as they sit longer and they can’t get out. They start taking risks. On an average year, we average 400-600 wrecks, but at four a day, you’re up over 1,000.”