PINE HILLS, Fla. – In response to a series of accidents and ongoing community concerns, Orange County officials are introducing new safety interventions at a particularly perilous intersection in Pine Hills.

The intersection at North Hiawassee Road and Coral Cove Drive has drawn significant attention from local residents due to frequent accidents attributed to speeding and poor visibility. One concerned resident reached out to the News 6 Results Desk, highlighting the pressing need for action at this hazardous crossing.

For Pine Hills resident Lakeisha Dixon, the dangers of this intersection are all too real. Last October, Dixon and her 13-year-old son were involved in a collision while turning left from Hiawassee Road onto Coral Cove Drive. “You’re forced to play chicken with traffic,” Dixon remarked, reflecting the precarious nature of the turn.

Recalling the incident, Dixon described how the crash unfolded. “They hit me in the back door, turned my car completely 180 degrees,” she said. Her car was declared a total loss following the accident.

With these firsthand accounts and community pressure mounting, local authorities are taking decisive action to enhance safety measures at this notorious intersection, aiming to prevent further accidents and ensure the well-being of all motorists navigating the area.

Dixon has been pleading with Orange County to make the intersection safer since her crash.

“I’ve gone to community meetings, I’ve called local government, I’ve spoken to commissioners,” Dixon told News 6.

Orange County Fire Rescue reports responding to nine crashes at the intersection in 2024, with four additional crashes already recorded this year. While News 6 was out there, our crew saw evidence of recent collisions, including scattered car parts and a roadside memorial.

There are two safety concerns at this intersection:

• Speeding vehicles along North Hiawassee Road

• Limited visibility for drivers turning left onto Coral Cove Drive and those approaching the traffic signal from the other side of the hill on North Hiawassee Road

After News 6 spoke with Dixon, we reached out to Orange County. A public works employee, who met with Dixon previously about her concerns, met us again at the intersection.

“The main issue is speeding,” explained Edward Quinn, Assistant Project Manager with Traffic Engineering. “If they’re not paying attention and they don’t notice the signal by the time they do, a lot of times they’re going too fast to stop at that point.”

Orange County is implementing several safety upgrades:

• Installation of two speed feedback signs, expected within six months

• Addition of a new “Signal Ahead” warning sign, expected within three months

• New “Signal Ahead” road markings, also expected within three months

“We have the funding now, so we’re thinking within the next year we should have everything completed,” Quinn told News 6.

According to Quinn, a standard solar-powered radar sign costs $9,200, with incidental items for the installation bringing the cost to $11,000 per sign.

Quinn told News 6 leaders will also talk about possibly lowering the speed limit on this stretch of Hiawassee Road from 45 mph to 40 mph. This will be reviewed through Vision Zero.

Vision Zero is an effort to eliminate all traffic deaths and injuries, while increasing safety and mobility. According to the Orange County Vision Zero Action Plan, Hiawassee Road is considered a High-Injury Network (HIN), meaning it has a high concentration of fatal and serious crashes.

A bicycle-pedestrian safety study on Hiawassee Road between Balboa Drive and Silver Star Road is underway. The study is analyzing the current road conditions and will make recommendations to improve safety and accessibility for pedestrians.

News 6 asked Orange County for an update on this study. We were told it’s 20% complete and the study is currently in the draft review phase. A county spokesperson told us comments from Public Works have been sent to the consultant to respond and update the study. Once this is completed, the county will schedule public meetings to present the findings of the study.

If you live in Orange County and have a traffic concern, you are asked to contact 311.