Neighbors wary of off-roading vehicles next to busy road

CAPE CORAL, Fla. (WINK) — Cape Coral police confirm an abandoned ATV found near Yucca Pens Preserve is related to a crash in the same area.

Cape Coral police respond to reported shooting in Yucca Pens area

CAPE CORAL, Fla. (WINK) — A person was severely injured and transported to a hospital by medical flight from a crash that occurred near the scene of shots being fired in the Yucca Pens Preserve area of North Cape Coral.

Neighbors say ATVs, golf carts and side-by-sides can be seen flying along Burnt Store Road at all times of the day, but especially on weekends. Everyone WINK News spoke to says they love the area, but when it comes to Burnt Store Road, ATVs and side-by-sides are a thorn in their sides.

A neighbor said he and his wife recently moved back to the area and are looking to buy a home. He said every year, he sees more ATVs speeding by, even in areas where they may not be allowed.

Yucca Pens Preserve has a sign at the front gate showing the rules when using the area. No hunting, no bikes, no alcohol and no vehicles.

"We would see significant numbers of ATVs, four wheelers side-by-side, uh, utilizing the, uh, Yucca Pens area," a neighbor said.

A neighbor says the area has sand dunes and off-roading entertainment locked behind the gates. He said many people bypass them for entertainment.

"It seems like there's a lot more of 'em than they used to be," he said.

He said his other concern is how fast the vehicles zoom by along Burnt Store Road.

"They drive very fast, almost as fast as the 60-mile-an-hour traffic on Burnt Store Road. And, uh, just seems to me like it's not very well regulated and at times appears to be quite dangerous," he said.

Off-roading vehicles are allowed on private property and designated trails in Lee County. WINK News reached out to the county and Cape Coral police to see where off-roading vehicles are allowed in the area and how they enforce when rules aren't being followed.

Dustin Miraglia said he sees off-roading vehicles on sidewalks where they aren't allowed.

"When you come down the sidewalk, they just want to go right in the middle of the road, and people are gonna end up getting hit," Miraglia said.

If the driver is under the age of 16, they need to be wearing a USDOT-approved safety helmet and eye protection and be supervised by an adult.

"Unfortunately, a lot of kids are doing it, like I'm saying, maybe 10 years old, 11 years old. Like they shouldn't even be out by themselves," Miraglia said.

Tire marks in the dirt show where off-roading vehicles have been in the area. While this area is far away from Burnt Store Road, there are trails closer to the road.

One neighbor said there is concern that an ATV will lose control and fly into the road. They also say a fence or divider between their vehicle and the one on the side of the road would make them feel safer.