Quote:
Originally Posted by rubicon
To my way of thinking this topic is not complete without considering average speed. My speedometer also records average speed and it is average speed that counts on multi-modals paths. Because of such factors as capacity weather, etc carts actually travel a lot less than 20 mph. I have no need for a speed above 20mph because with my gas cart I can maintain a decent average speed, unlike my electric cart. Notice then that a cart traveling at a speed below 16mph is probably averaging 14mph perhaps less.
The planners for The Villages continue to expand and with that expansion calls for residents to travel further. To my way of thinking it becomes burdensome to continue the charade of mph when a 5 mph difference is not a material especially because of factoring in average speed. I say that with the thought of safety above all else.
If you analyze the accidents that have occurred most are not caused by speed but misjudgments. Also analyze injuries sustained as many are attributed more to the fragile state of the injured individual.
Having said all of that I follow the 20mph rule because of safety and of course fines
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This goes against every "New York" fiber in my being, but I must disagree. I wouldn't want to try to explain to a LEO who cites you for 22, as well as having "an unregistered LSV", that yes, I was going 22 but my speedometer gives an average of 18. After all, if in a 40 mph zone cars turning, traffic lights and rubbernecking causes me to average 20 mph for 1/2 the trip, does that mean I am free to drive 60 for the other half? While I also absolutely hate to agree with the "you're retired, what's the rush" crowd, I have to here as well. If you travel 5 miles in your cart, which is probably the longest you would generally do, the difference between 15 mph and 20 mph is 5 min---you can figure a difference of 1 minute per mile for shorter trips. If you're that tight on your tee time, you'll probably pull a muscle on the first swing anyway. So leave a few minutes earlier and be safer
But.... to those who argue that golf carts are designed to go 13 mph and are unstable at higher speeds---true, on turns and side hill lies on a golf course. But just as you don't drive the 35 mph expressway exit ramp at 75, you don't take a curve on a MMP at full speed. It's called driving skills, which some people seem to lack once they get behind the wheel of a cart.
My pet peeve is really restricted to the interstates. Driving 1200 miles at 75 is 16 hours, at 50 it is 24 hours. So my tolerance for those bozos that park themselves in the left lane at 50 mph is ZERO. Same is true for those that pull out to pass a slow truck, but never manage to pass them. If that's the limit of your ability to control a car, GET OFF and take back roads instead. At least you'll be annoying someone else. There's a huge difference between 8 hours on a long trip and 2 minutes on a 2 mile MMP cart trip. Sorry to vent, but I have to make this drive in 9 days and I know what I will encounter.