Analyzing Safety on Atlantic Boulevard

Nearly two weeks after residents of Colonial Pointe voiced safety concerns following a deadly collision, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) have provided data regarding the roadway. JSO Officer Tommy May conducted a ride-along to review traffic statistics and observe driver behavior along the corridor.

Crash Statistics and Enforcement

Data from the last 90 days shows 15 total crashes on this stretch of Atlantic Boulevard. Of those incidents, 10 involved property damage, four resulted in non-incapacitating injuries, and one was a fatal crash on March 1 that claimed three lives and injured four others.

Despite community concerns, Officer May stated that current databases do not classify the area as a high-frequency crash location. Consequently, May noted that the area does not currently require 24/7 enforcement, though he emphasized that JSO would increase its presence if the data trends change.

Speed Monitoring and Traffic Data

To assess driver behavior, JSO deployed a stealth speed box to monitor traffic over two days. The results indicated that most motorists were traveling between 36 mph and 55 mph in the posted 40 mph zone.

While most drivers remained within a reasonable range, officers observed vehicles reaching speeds of 62 mph on four separate occasions. Officer May described these instances as outliers and confirmed that police took action to address those specific cases during the patrol.

FDOT Response to Roadway Concerns

The Florida Department of Transportation has also addressed the situation by installing a yellow 35 mph intersection sign. While some residents expressed concerns regarding the visibility of the new signage, FDOT stated that its Traffic Operations office reviewed the location.

Maintenance crews have since improved the line of sight for the sign. The agency maintains that it reviews and responds to all roadway condition concerns as quickly as possible.