Brian Hook is frustrated with the white solid line that’s supposed to guide drivers to stop safely at intersections. He believes it’s a point of frustration in North Cape Coral.
“So when you actually follow that and you pull up, usually there’s a sign, or if there’s signs, there’s bushes,” said Hook. “It blocks the whole roadway.”
Hook noticed this issue across North Cape Coral, came to our WINK Listens event, and asked WINK News to investigate.
At Northeast 19th Avenue and Northeast 38th Terrace, stopping at the sign reveals an overgrown bush blocking the view of traffic.
“Here at the Northwest Regional Library…if you stop behind the white line, looking right is clear…but when you look to the left, bushes are blocking your view,” Hook added.
Hook explained the struggle drivers face, saying, “So you have to roll forward until and then your car might be way over the line, and then the car coming will have to swerve around yours. It’s just poor design.”
At the post office, cars often go past the white line, with some even entering the roadway to see beyond signs and bushes. Kismet Parkway and Northeast Fifth Place also present visibility challenges with large bushes.
Hook hopes the city addresses these issues before accidents occur.
“I’d ask them, okay, tell me how you can see it, unless you’re psychic,” said Hook.
The city spokesperson commented that these intersections don’t necessarily impact sight distance as defined by the FDOT Green Book, a manual of minimum road standards. The intersections reportedly meet these standards.
Hook disagrees, suggesting action is needed.
“It’s like cut down the weeds, move it back, or move the limit line up, because you either cross over that line into the crosswalk in order for you to see it. And that’s, again, a safety issue,” said Hook.
A city spokesperson says if any resident has safety concerns about roadways in Cape Coral they should report it to 311.