Fort Myers Police are keeping a close watch on the intersection of Colonial Boulevard and Fowler Street. Drivers in the area have noticed the increased police presence and believe it's necessary.
"I hit this intersection four times a day, and I would say 80% of the time, someone is always running a red light, blocking an intersection, making illegal U-turns. It's scary. It's scary out there," said Melissa Carson-Bouchard. "I've witnessed close crashes, a lot of road rage and a lot of horn honking."
Several drivers say they feel safer, especially during rush hour when traffic is at its peak and law enforcement is watching.
"Colonial and Fowler just happens to be one of those intersections where we're having problems with people running red lights. We're having crashes at this intersection," Officer Ryan Hernandez-Beiner of the Fort Myers Police Department said on an exclusive ridealong Thursday.
An uptick in crashes has led to more police monitoring at the intersection.
"Clearly, this intersection is an issue. So I'm glad, I'm glad to hear that we have FMPD at work," said Carson-Bouchard.
Christina Sprouse, another local driver, appreciates the heightened patrols.
"There's so many more police cars out here. It's a good thing that they have more patrols and officers and such, because it can get really nerve-wracking driving along the roads and seeing all those crashes," Sprouse said. "It kind of helps me knowing that, okay, I know if something does happen right now, they're literally right there."
After months of construction aimed at improving pedestrian safety, new rules have been implemented, such as no right turn on red. New LED traffic signs serve as reminders for the changes.
"I'm definitely pleased to see that we have a new stoplight," Carson-Bouchard said. "Unfortunately, the people in this town aren't necessarily taking heed to the new stoplight."
Drivers say, improving road safety requires a collective effort from everyone involved.
"Some people just shouldn't be on the road because they don't know how to drive the proper way," Sprouse noted.
"We just need people in town to get with the program. Like the city is doing their part, the people just need to do theirs," Carson-Bouchard added.
WINK Investigates learned that Fort Myers Police Department has made 314 traffic stops at this intersection this year, with more than half occurring in October alone.
Some drivers tell WINK Investigates, they are surprised to hear such a large number of stops at just one intersection.
"300 stops? That's crazy. We don't really process that how dangerous it really is," Sprouse reacted.
These numbers far exceed those of other intersections along Colonial Boulevard.