TAMPA, Fla. — A traffic signal timing issue in downtown Tampa is causing safety concerns.

Theresa Goddard, who has lived in Tampa for a few years, said her commute brings her to the intersection of Ashley Drive and Kennedy Boulevard.

"When I'm waiting at the light I notice that one car almost has a near miss, every day," Goddard said. "And after a while I'm like, 'OK it's not a coincidence anymore.'"

In one case, Goddard said a driver in the left lane immediately started a left turn rather than waiting for oncoming traffic when the light turned green.

Real Time Traffic Expert Chuck Henson checked out the area.

The northbound traffic gets their green, and three seconds later the southbound traffic gets the OK to proceed.

For drivers who know this, that gives them three seconds to make that left turn before oncoming traffic starts to roll.

And many times, the second and third cars try to do the same thing, only to come in the direct path of oncoming traffic.

There are two issues here, according to Chuck. One is the discrepancy of the lights.

The second is enforcement. The northbound left turn lane traffic does not have a protected green arrow. They must wait until the cross traffic is clear.

As for enforcement, Jean Duncan with the city says it will be watching.

"Enforcement is always a challenge, but this intersection does have a red light camera," said Duncan, the city’s director of traffic management and stormwater services. "If any movements are egregious, TPD can issue a ticket through the red light camera program."

With the signal issue, the state did a survey of the timing recently and discovered it was not functioning as anticipated. Chuck said he expects to see those movements change in the near future.