TAMPA, Fla. — As part of motorcycle awareness month, Tampa police officers took part of the first-ever Operation S.M.A.R.T. ride Sunday. S.M.A.R.T. is an acronym for Safe Motorcycle And Rider Techniques. 

What You Need To Know

  • Tampa Traffic Officer Roy Paz said in 2023, there were 13,000 motorcycle crashes in Florida. Of those, 2,300 led to serious injuries and 600 fatalities

  • Officers drove 600 miles Sunday across Florida to raise awareness

  • Tampa's program offers a free class that people can sign up for

The 600-mile ride through south Florida is to bring awareness to motorcycle safety.

Tyler O’Donnel, a Tampa Police Officer, said his life changed forever after he was in a crash while riding his motorcycle in 2022. 

“If it wasn’t for my helmet, I wouldn’t be here today,” he said. “I struck the side of her vehicle, which then caused me to fly off my motorcycle and fly 57 feet in the air.”

Landing on his left side, O’Donnel broke 13 bones and even a year and a half later, he’s still recovering. 

“When I was launched from my motorcycle and I landed on the ground, I landed with my left shoulder, the left side of my headfirst,” he said.

Injuries like this are why the Tampa police department is taking part in the 600-mile journey. 

Tampa Traffic Officer Roy Paz said in 2023, there were 13,000 motorcycle crashes in Florida. Of those, 2,300 led to serious injuries and 600 fatalities.  

“A lot of people may think that’s a lot, well, 600 fatalities is a lot,” said Paz.

Paz said the ride Sunday is to bring attention to the program. The program that people can sign up for on their website, goes over rider techniques like using the clutch throttle, breaks and survival skills on the road. 

“We’re trying to do something different so to catch people’s attention and for them to think about training and also being safe out there on the roadways,” Paz said. 

He added as part of the program; they hold practices once a month for those who sign up online.