SANFORD, Fla. — Peter Matyko has lived in Seminole County since the mid-'90s, but he thinks there's something very wrong about State Road 46.

  • Right-turn-only lane causes issues on State Road 46
  • 1 driver says it leads to drivers cutting other people off
  • 62 crashes have happened there in past 5 years, data shows

"It always makes me feel like there is a wreck waiting to happen," he said.

Matyko has issues with his daily commute on S.R. 46 when travelling eastbound in the Sanford area on his way to Interstate 4.

"You kind of tense up because you got to look behind you and see who's going to be trying to cut you off," Matyko said. "When you're trying to merge and do the right thing, you have people that aren't supposed to be there, cutting through and trying to bypass you."

The main issue that drivers have is traveling east on S.R. 46 approaching I-4, where they encounter a right-turn-only lane at Wayside Drive. Although there are clear markings, many drivers simply continue straight to merge back onto S.R. 46 to get to I-4, cutting off other drivers.

"I'd say it's a daily occurrence, evenings or mornings," Matyko said. "Most times, I'm leaving, going the other way toward Lake County, and in the evenings when I come back, that's when I have the tense issues of trying to merge onto I-4 the correct way."

We did a quick study of the area near the intersection and found that in the past five years, 62 crashes were investigated there by the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Highway Patrol. Twenty-seven of those had injuries.

Matyko admits he's not a road expert, but he doesn't see why some simple changes can't be made.

"My suggestion would be to make that turn lane into another merge lane to I-4 or block it off with some of those plastic stop sticks where people can't go straight and have to merge from the correct lane which is painted on in the middle," Matyko said.

Spectrum News 13 contacted the Florida Department of Transportation, which maintains the road. Per our request, they agreed to take a serious look at that intersection to see whether Matyko's suggestions are warranted.

"After reviewing, we have verified that as part of the long-term improvements planned for Wekiva Parkway 7B construction project, S.R. 46 will be six-laned in the area of Wayside Drive, therefore eliminating the right turn lane issue cited," FDOT replied.

In the meantime, Matyko has a message for drivers trying to save a minute or two of waiting.

"Pay attention to the road sign, and you're going to be in the correct lane," he said.

SECOND UPDATE: This article was updated Tuesday, June 25, 2019 — Peter Matyko tells us that crews have added blocks so that people can't go straight from the turn lane. Thank you for letting us know, Peter!

UPDATE: This article was updated Thursday, April 18, 2019 to add a response from the Florida Department of Transportation regarding the intersection.