OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — Along Florida’s Turnpike, the Florida Highway Patrol has noticed an increase in drivers stopping to frolic in the state’s wildflower gardens.
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One local driver spotted dozens of people parked along Florida’s Turnpike in Osceola County recently and told WFTV, “I just remember seeing cars, slamming on their brakes, and then trying to cut, you know, leapfrog across the lanes of traffic. And I’m like, what is happening right now that people are doing, and I looked over, and it was people laying in the Wildflower fields.”
Florida Highway Trooper Migdalisis Garcia, “Those are only for emergencies. You cannot just pull off the side of the road to take your selfies and stuff like that it’s not okay it’s not safe at all.”
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The state has been planting these wildflowers for decades and has has over one hundred wildflower sites along Florida’s interstates.
The renowned program aids in conservation efforts, benefits the environment, lowers maintenance costs, and beautifies the area.
But in recent months drivers and FHP Troopers have noticed an increase in people stopping to smell the flowers and post their adventures on social media sites.
Florida’s Turnpike says its Traffic Management Center continuously monitors the area and when they see drivers stopped along the shoulder, Troopers will be called to move them along.
“You don’t know who’s coming if someone can come and hit your vehicle in these lanes, we all have seen how bad that can end up,” said Tropper Garcia.
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