The I-75 road construction in south Sarasota County between River Road and Toledo Blade will be finished by the end of the summer is good news for drivers.
“The traffic out there is terrible,” says Ted Smith from North Port.
But it hasn’t been good news for those who’ve been in an accident or stuck in the traffic jam aftermath. In March, a tanker overturned closing southbound lanes for hours.
Is construction causing more accidents in this area?
“They are not being caused by the construction, however, the construction is a contributing factor because people are taking their eyes off the road,” says FHP Trooper Kenneth Watson.
The Florida Highway Patrol reports 292 crashes on I-75 in Sarasota County through the end of May this year, and 98 of those happened in the construction zone in south county with 45 injuries and four fatalities.
FDOT spokesperson Robin Stublen says, “The construction site is not doing it. It’s the drivers on the road and their behavior that’s causing these crashes.”
“These signs are out there -- you have to pay attention,” adds Watson.
FDOT put up warning signs at least a mile out counting down the distance to construction along with orange barrels and digital signs warning of trucks entering the highway.
The speed limit may drop to 60 in a construction zone but sometimes stays at 70 mph, but troopers say that doesn’t mean you can be less careful.
“Do not tailgate,” says Watson.
“People on I-75 are going 80, don’t pay attention, next thing you know, boom! Into somebody. It’s rough,” Smith adds.
Troopers say don’t text and drive, it can wait, and skip taking photos of accidents on the highway.
“Hands are not on the steering wheel, eyes are not up front looking at us looking at the cars making sure they get everything on Facebook that evening…not worth it,” Watson says.
Troopers remind drivers there are many construction projects along I-75 so keep your distance and they say be aware of what the cars in front and behind you are doing.
