[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by richl

I agree about being aware of your environment but some accidents are very avoidable with common sense driving.
Last year, I was parked in front of Tuscany's in Sumter Landing where I got a hair cut. When I finished, I got in my golf cart and observed no cars in either direction so I started to back out of the parking spot into my lane when something hit my golf cart. It turned out it was an elderly couple who had parked on the other side of the street and decided to back across both lanes and over the 2 solid yellow lines to get into my lane instead of backing into their own lane and turning around at the next intersection to change directions. It really starteled me and I got very upset as I was in disbelief some one would do something as dumb as that. The sad part was the lady driver looked at me like she was upset because i got in her way - I was not even out of my parking spot when she hit me. Fortunately, there was no obvious damage so I went about my business feeling upset that she did not even realize she broke 2 laws during this short incident. I had to use every bit of energy to avoid saying something I might feel bad about later.
Yesterday, I was driving on St Charles street towards Buena Vista and you have to exit right when you get to the gate to continue on towards the Bacall PB courts. The turn is a sharp right and a soft left to get to the tunnel. At the soft left, there is an option to also go right. If you are coming from the tunnel towards this intersection,your cart is hidden until you make that soft left turn where you can either go right to St Charles St or go straight to another section of the path. So I exited St Charles very slowly as I always do and started to enter the soft left turn when a golf cart from the tunnel direction came around the corner at top speed and cut right in front of me to go to the other section of the path. I was barely able to avoid an accident - he was driving - IMHO - recklessly. I wish there were a way to get people to drive more carefully. After all, we are all retired for the most part - what can be that important to run the risk of injury.

Keep whistling Dixie and say your beads. That is why people talk so much about reckless driving. You are the only one who can watch out for YOU. Please do.