THIS TOP TEN LIST IS CERTAINLY NOT FUNNY...ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE DRIVING!

This morning's Lakeland Ledger features it's annual list of the ten most dangerous intersections in Polk County. If you live in, or often drive in or through, Lakeland, Winter Haven, or Haines City, read carefully. The list is based on the number of collisions there last year.

1) Havendale Boulevard @ U.S. 17, Winter Haven. Back at the top with 50 accidents last year. It's held the #1 position now four of the past five years.

T-2) U.S. 27 @ Polk City Road, Haines City.

T-2) State Road 37 @ County Road 540-A, Lakeland

4) U.S. 27 @ Deen Still Road, Unincorporated Northeast Polk County. This is an area that has simply exploded with growth in recent years.

T-5) South Florida Avenue @ Lake Miriam Drive, Lakeland

T-5) North Florida Avenue @ Memorial Boulevard, Lakeland

7) Lakeland Hills Boulevard @ Memorial Boulevard, Lakeland

8) U.S. 27 @ State Road 544, Winter Haven

9) South Florida Avenue @ Polk Parkway, Lakeland

10) Tenth Street @ U.S. 17-92, Haines City

Most of the Lakeland intersections listed are in the southern part of the city, where there has been a great deal of development. The two intersections with Memorial Boulevard in Lakeland are just off the northern edge of downtown, and slightly south of Lakeland Regional Medical Center with a lot of businesses in the area.

In many cases, the accidents at those intersections are ruled to be the result of inattentative driving or folks trying to race under a yellow light...but the driver in front doesn't, resulting in a classic rear-end collision.

Just a reminder, friends, to please BE CAREFUL!