Drivers turning from Nicholas Parkway onto Pine Island Road are noticing a small but powerful change: a “no right turn” light that illuminates even when the traffic signal is green.At first glance, it looks simple enough. But for many drivers, the message is anything but clear.”I didn’t understand it at first because it was green,” said Jilly More, a Cape Coral resident. “I was coming this way, and it was green.” The new signal, installed by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), is part of a safety initiative to protect pedestrians crossing the intersection, which sits near the busy shopping plaza with Kohl’s and Walmart, just west of Santa Barbara Boulevard.When a pedestrian presses the crosswalk button, the “no right turn” symbol lights up, signaling drivers to wait until walkers are safely across.An FDOT spokesperson told Gulf Coast News that when the illuminated sign is on, right turns are not allowed, and the goal is to protect pedestrians in the crosswalk. Not everyone is on board, though. Social media comments about the new signal have ranged from amused to frustrated, with one Facebook user calling it “the dumbest intersection in the Cape.” Others argue that the rule is making traffic worse. But for pedestrians like William Zamot, the change is a welcome one.”It’s a lot safer when crossing the road,” Zamot said. “It’s going to keep a lot of accidents from happening.” Terri Gavin, who lives nearby, said the rule is common sense.”People have the right of way — that’s just the rule,” she said. FDOT emphasized that the restriction only applies to the right-turn lane where pedestrians cross. In all other lanes, drivers can proceed as usual. DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.

CAPE CORAL, Fla. —

Drivers turning from Nicholas Parkway onto Pine Island Road are noticing a small but powerful change: a “no right turn” light that illuminates even when the traffic signal is green.

At first glance, it looks simple enough. But for many drivers, the message is anything but clear.

“I didn’t understand it at first because it was green,” said Jilly More, a Cape Coral resident. “I was coming this way, and it was green.”

The new signal, installed by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), is part of a safety initiative to protect pedestrians crossing the intersection, which sits near the busy shopping plaza with Kohl’s and Walmart, just west of Santa Barbara Boulevard.

When a pedestrian presses the crosswalk button, the “no right turn” symbol lights up, signaling drivers to wait until walkers are safely across.

An FDOT spokesperson told Gulf Coast News that when the illuminated sign is on, right turns are not allowed, and the goal is to protect pedestrians in the crosswalk.

Not everyone is on board, though. Social media comments about the new signal have ranged from amused to frustrated, with one Facebook user calling it “the dumbest intersection in the Cape.” Others argue that the rule is making traffic worse.

But for pedestrians like William Zamot, the change is a welcome one.

“It’s a lot safer when crossing the road,” Zamot said. “It’s going to keep a lot of accidents from happening.”

Terri Gavin, who lives nearby, said the rule is common sense.

“People have the right of way — that’s just the rule,” she said.

FDOT emphasized that the restriction only applies to the right-turn lane where pedestrians cross. In all other lanes, drivers can proceed as usual.

DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.