PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) – News Channel 8 has found drivers ignoring the “no left turn” signs at 94th Avenue North and Gandy Boulevard, just past construction. We took the concerns to the Florida Department of Transportation.
Drivers make lefts, sometimes dangerously, not knowing when opposing traffic will get a green light. “Oh, that don’t make any sense, does it?” one driver asked.
The frustrated drivers, fed up with left turners holding up the line, frequently blasted their horns while News Channel 8 watched. They told their fellow motorists they don’t appreciate waiting while they make an illegal left turn..
On Thursday two St. Petersburg police officers issued 31 tickets – in just three hours. That enforcement came after a contractor on the construction project noticed all the left turns. In addition, there was a crash two weeks ago.
“People are continuing to make those left turns even with multiple signs out there,” Kris Carson with the Florida Department of Transportation said.
8 On Your Side took your concerns to FDOT. More signs may be coming.
The agency is considering several options. “We’re looking at possibly placing a sign right on the span of wire where the signal is because people are looking up. It would say no left turns,” Carson said.
The sign currently closest to the intersection is on the right side – where drivers may not see it. “And we’re also looking at putting instead of circle or the green ball on a signal, making it an arrow so people know they can only go straight,” Carson said.
When this project is finished in a year, part of the problem should go away.
