Quote:
Originally Posted by billethkid
It is obvious that there is an over riding view that "the paths" are for golf carts. Which, like it or not, they are multi modal paths....each mode having as much right to be there as the next.
I am a MMP walker and have been for the past 13 years....every day....2-3 miles.
Those who think walkers should get off the path or yield to oncoming carts are looking at it drom the "cart path" mentality.
Anytime I have encountered an issue it is very obvious the driver either could not see far enough to know someone was there or they were on their phone/texting.
99% of the time all users do what is right in the name of safety.......same as on the road.
It is unfortunate the discussions always are about the one percent that are at issue.
Another big help would be for some
cart drivers to know and understand there is no rule that states pedal to the floor at all times while operating!
MULTI MODAL PATHS.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by blueash
As to the assertion of the walkers in the street that they had the right of way. No they don't and they were in violation of Florida law if there was a sidewalk available as you stated
316.130 Pedestrians; traffic regulations.—
(3) Where sidewalks are provided, no pedestrian shall, unless required by other circumstances, walk along and upon the portion of a roadway paved for vehicular traffic.
Nonetheless, that provision does not provide legal cover should you hit these misbehaving pedestrians
(15) Notwithstanding other provisions of this chapter, every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian
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Agreed for the most part (especially that people don't need to keep the pedal to the metal 100% of the time). I have no issues with walkers using the MMP. My concern is that as others have stated, there are walkers who insist on being right, but at the potential cost of their health. I was driving from Caroline toward Morse Blvd., taking the curve to go down to the tunnel and quite literally, found a walker right in front of me on the blind curve. Fortunately I was driving slowly and anticipating that someone could be there, so no accident. The walker was oblivious (he was either texting or looking at his MP3 player since he was also wearing earphones) and did not even flinch when I suddenly appeared in front of him (probably couldn't hear the golf cart motor). While the walker was walking toward traffic, he should have been paying attention to the path, at least until he got around the blind curve, or if he could do so safely, possibly even cross over and walk on the grass until he passed the curve.
While I have not seen 4 abreast walkers, I would suggest that this is rude when carts, bicyclists or other walkers are in the area all who have equal rights to use the path without obstruction by the walkers in this scenario.
I do have issue with walkers using the cart lanes on the road instead of the sidewalk. I am not referring to those who temporarily step off the sidewalk to avoid an active lawn sprinkler. I would like to see some warnings/citations being issued by the sheriff's department to walkers who stay in the roadway golf cart lane per the citation quoted above.