Fort Myers woman fears for life on Winkler Road due to speeding drivers

LEE COUNTY, Fla. (WINK) — A viewer at WINK Listens FSW asked anchor Emma Heaton to look into a stretch of Winkler Road in Lee County she calls dangerous. 

Linda Reese fears for her life every time she drives on Winkler Road between College Parkway and McGregor Boulevard because of speeding drivers around her. 

"They speed 50, 60, 70 miles an hour," Reese said. "The speed limit is 40. We don't have enough signs. It's a residential area. People have been killed. Dogs have been killed. People walking on the sidewalk are afraid to walk." 

WINK News has reported on deadly crashes along this stretch. 

In March 2025, one person was killed, and three children were hospitalized after a crash at Winkler Road near Averly Street. 

Months later, a motorcyclist was killed in another crash along Winkler. 

"People are being killed, you know, and they're afraid to walk their dog down that road," Reese said. "You're afraid that the car might come up. You don't know." 

WINK News contacted the Lee County Sheriff's Office for data on speeding and crashes in the area. 

The spreadsheet shows that nearly 70 traffic stops were made from January through April of 2026, about 17 more than the same time last year. 

Crashes are also up slightly this year, rising from seven to 10. Reese has an idea to help slow drivers down. 

"Either a camera on each side of the road or speed bumps to stop them," Reese said. 

WINK News also asked FDOT about possible traffic calming measures. 

A spokesperson referred WINK News to Lee County. 

The county says Winkler Road is an arterial road and not eligible for traffic calming measures. 

Reese just wants drivers to slow down.

Data from the Lee County Sheriff's Office shows that nearly all traffic stops resulted in warnings or citations, not arrests.