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Drivers concerned about new St. Pete Beach traffic signals

Posted at 3:10 PM, Aug 16, 2017
and last updated 2017-08-16 18:27:49-04

Speeding up your drive in St. Pete Beach or putting you in harm’s way? Some drivers are raising red flags about changes made this week at intersections in St. Pete Beach. 

The traffic signals on Corey Ave at Blind Pass Road and at Corey Ave and Boca Ciega Drive were converted into 4-way stops using red-flashing signals. A third intersection at Pass-A-Grille Way and 21st Avenue was recently converted to blinking red lights too.

The city of St. Pete Beach say they decided to try something new at the three intersections after hearing complaints from residents and visitors about long red lights.

The city plans to study traffic movement patterns for the next 6 months to figure out if this change helps traffic flow smoother through these intersections. 

However, some drivers worry the changes make the intersections more confusing and increase dangers for drivers and pedestrians. They claim drivers can rarely figure out who has the right of way and whose turn it is to go, and that’s mixed in with tourists coming from across the nation and the world to visit our beaches.

St. Pete Beach Public Works Director Mike Clarke says they aren’t worried the blinking red traffic signals will increase danger because the speed limit is 25 miles per hour in all three locations. They also say since this is a test run, if the blinking intersections cause too much confusion, they could be switched back after the 6 month trial.