No-U-turn signs ignored on Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs couple raise safety concerns

BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. (WINK) — Neighbors are raising safety concerns about a no-U-turn sign on Bonita Beach Road that they say drivers aren't paying enough attention to.

Bonita Springs couple Robert Rives and Belinda Figurskey brought their concern to WINK Listens earlier this month. The issue is just West at the intersection of Bonita Beach Road and Imperial Parkway, right across from Palm Lake Resorts.

"We have a dangerous median in front of our neighborhood," Figurskey said.

The couple said what's supposed to be used strictly as a left-hand turn into their 55-plus community has been a trouble spot for illegal U-turns. A no-U-turn sign is posted at the median.

"When we see a car coming out of the median and making a U-turn, we don't want to get hit," Figurskey said.

A spokesperson for Lee County said the no-U-turn sign at the location was installed a little more than a year ago after neighbors nearby asked for it. 

WINK News drone footage captured the area over the course of about an hour and showed six different cars making a U-turn next to the sign that says not to.

"I see it several times a day," Rives said.

The couple said they fear for the safety of drivers in their neighborhood.

"When you got the traffic coming down Bonita Beach Road, which is a very busy road, and you've got these cars making a U-turn, an accident's going to happen," Figurskey said.

WINK News reporter Maddie Herron reached out to the Lee County Sheriff's Office and FDOT about the couple's concerns. A spokesperson for LCSO said they are aware of the traffic concern regarding illegal U-turns, and operations are ongoing by both their traffic and Bonita Springs Community Policing Unit. Thursday afternoon, several deputies were seen patrolling the area.

According to data from the sheriff's office, in the last 2 years, there have been no illegal U-turn citations issued on Duck Lake Loop and Bonita Beach Road, and no crashes were reported.

As for the last 5 years, their data at this location states no illegal U-turn citations were issued and only one crash was reported in 2022.

Rives and Figurskey have a message for drivers.

"Be conscious about other drivers on the road. Be conscious," Figurskey said. "Just pay attention to the traffic signs."

"We don't want somebody getting anybody else getting hurt," Rives said.

The county said if someone has a traffic concern about county roads, they can submit a 'Request for Action' form.