After three crashes into his wall, homeowner George Earle has the attention of county traffic officials.

Earle lives on the north side of Tampa Road at Sandpiper Court, west of McMullen Booth Road. There's a slight curve in the road, and according to county traffic engineer Tom Washburn, the issue here isn't impaired drivers.

"The crashes we've been able to review, it's mostly inattentiveness, that is what happens," he said. "People are doing something else in the car as opposed to paying attention. They end up in the curve, don't realize it and they don't have enough time to correct."

The county doesn't have a policy to protect private property from these drivers. However, because the sidewalk is well used here, pedestrian safety is at stake, according to Earle.

"There's people walking their babies from here to Boot Ranch, you know, to the shopping center there," he said. "There's always people up and down this road walking."

Last May, the county installed flashing speed notification signs for both east and westbound Tampa Road, alerting drivers when they are breaking the speed limit. 

Officials also suggest the installation of a type of rumble strip for the side of the road, similar to the ones drivers see along the edges of the interstate.  Called Audible Vibratory Pavement Markings, the strips create a loud noise and vibration that the driver hears and feels. 

Before these can be installed, though, the homeowners association must send a letter to the county indicating they understand the noise level created and their desire to move ahead with the installation.

Washburn said installing a guardrail between the sidewalk and road is also not out of the question.