Imagine a roadway spot where behavior is so brazen that drivers openly break rules as they drive through.

  • U-turn problems at 31st Street South and the Interstate 275 ramp
  • Roadway near school, police continue to ticket heavily in area
  • Bay News 9 Traffic resources

That's what witnesses are reporting at 31st Street South and the Interstate 275 ramp. 

The problem first gained notice last year when drivers would form a second left turn lane in the median when exiting I-275 in an attempt to avoid waiting in line. The Florida Department of Transportation istalled plastic pylons along the turning lane to thwart that behavior.  

Problem solved? 

Not so much. 

"The cars, instead of turning right like they're supposed to, they'll skip the long line to turn left," said St. Petersburg resident Jessica Arriola. "And then they make the U-turn in the middle of the street to turn left."

And for those who turn right, many make a U-turn right away. That's not allowed either. 

The state controls the ramp and put in the barrier poles. 

The city is responsible for enforcement of the traffic laws. St. Petersburg police have four officers assigned to traffic duty in the area and those officers write 25 percent of all the department's traffic tickets. 

Authorities said a ticket there making that illegal turn costs drivers $160 plus points off their license. 

The roadway is adjacent to Gibbs High School and during peak morning commute hours there are kids on foot making their way to school.   

"Because I've seen kids crossing the street right there," Arriola said. "I've seen the aggressive drivers and I don't want an accident to happen. I've almost gotten into an accident because of it."