COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. — A Collier County apartment complex is warning their residents against dangerous driving as they leave their community. Deputies noticed many drivers were making illegal left turns onto Livingston Road as they turned out of Orchid Run Apartments - which is just south of Golden Gate Parkway - and some got caught on camera. Only right turns are legal out of the complex.
"(The deputies) were concerned that our residents were putting themselves in danger," said Michelle Johnson, property manager at Orchid Run. "Their thing is, it's not about if, it's when an accident happens, and they don't want to see a death occur."
Friday morning, Johnson took part in a Facebook Live video with Sergeant Terry Smith of the Collier County Sheriff's Office. They wanted to warn drivers against the unsafe practice of crossing the three southbound lanes of Livingston to head northbound.
While Johnson and Smith were live at the complex's exit - showing the sign behind them indicating a right turn only - a driver could be seen doing the very thing they were warning against. Another deputy in a patrol car immediately pulled the driver over.
"They were concerned because it's a dangerous thing to do, especially on such a busy road," Johnson said. "If you get pulled over, they're going to be giving a ticket of $163, and it's six points on your license."
Johnson said that she emailed the complex's resident to raise awareness of the dangers of the illegal turns. She said that she may also consider adding signs on the property warning against it.
