U-Turn Dangers: Drivers risk a ticket to avoid long lights at Colonial Blvd, Sommerset Dr

Major traffic congestion and a traffic light maintaining a green signal for mere seconds has lead many frustrated motorist to make illegal U-turns. But local residents are fed up.

On any given weekday afternoon, vehicles can be seen whipping U-turns on Sommerset by Walgreens, one after another to get onto Colonial Blvd.

Beating the traffic signals, which keep them waiting to turn left so they can get over the midpoint bridge to Cape Coral.

It is an illegal move drivers risk to avoid getting stuck on Summerlin, waiting for a green arrow that does not last long.

“Everybody’s tired from a long day,” said Mike Brown, a driver. “I’ve been here 30 years and I can say, I’ve done that.”

But the neighborhood sitting at the dead end of Sommerset said it clogs their only way out and it is dangerous.

“It’s a street for the neighborhood,” said Sammy Akkoush, McGregor Reserve Member. “It’s not being used as such.”

Since WINK News last reported on the problem in April of 2018, a no U-turn sign was posted.

“No one looks at it,” Akkoush said. “If you do, there’s no police here — why listen to it? It’s really just there for show.”

Fort Myers police said they have patrol officers monitoring the area for illegal U-turns. The officers will tickets any driver it catches doing it.

“If you don’t have patience driving in this town,” said Paul Rizzo, a driver, “you’re not gonna make it.”