Commissioners ask traffic engineer to review permissive yellow-arrow intersection after recent fatal crash

After board matters on Feb. 25, several commissioners raised safety concerns about permissive flashing-yellow left-turn arrows at intersections on Martin Downs Boulevard that serve older neighborhoods, including Pine Ridge. Commissioners said multiple recent crashes, including a fatality, suggest that the permissive left configuration creates a blind-turn hazard for older drivers.

Commissioner Campey described visits to the site and urged elimination of the permissive flashing yellow arrow at the Martin Downs Boulevard intersection that accesses Pine Ridge, calling for a more restrictive protected left phase. Commissioners asked staff to have Martin County's traffic engineering administrator review the intersection and pursue coordination with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).

Eric Ferguson, the county's traffic engineering administrator (recently returned to the county), introduced himself and said he previously worked on signal and roadway projects including Clematis Street in West Palm Beach and had presented intersection improvement ideas to the Treasure Coast MPO. Commissioners asked Ferguson to follow up with FDOT about the specific permissive-left locations named in the comments and report back with recommended changes or a pilot study.

Why it matters: permissive left-turn configurations can increase intersection capacity but rely on drivers judging gaps in opposing traffic; commissioners expressed concern that in locations where sight lines and vehicle speeds combine with an older driver population, the permissive phase may create unacceptable safety risk.

Next steps: staff will review the named intersections, prepare recommendations and coordinate with FDOT on potential changes, pilot testing, or removal of permissive-left signal phasing at the specific intersection noted by commissioners.