Talk of The Villages Florida - View Single Post - Chitty Chatty Bridge, What Were They Thinking?

birdiebill · 10-08-2020, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

I am of the opinion that sooner or later a walker is going to get killed or seriously injured walking on the "multi modal" paths. When that happens I wouldn't be surprised to see the victim or their family sue the Villages for encouraging people to walk on these paths. I'm all for personal responsibility but they way lawyers and courts view things like this I believe that the developer have left themselves in a precarious position.

People walk on these paths all the time because they have a right to. IMHO, you are taking your life in your hands by exercising your right. There are several blind corners and the brakes on golf carts are not all that great. They are not meant to stop a cart going 20+mph. With all of the places to walk, why would someone choose to walk where 600 pound vehicles with bad brakes and elderly drivers are zipping along at 20+MPH?

The Villages should call these "Golf Cart Paths" and either strongly suggest that people not walk on them or ban walking on them all together.

I suspect if a golf cart driver runs into a pedestrian on the MULTI MODAL PATH the golf cart driver will be declared at fault. Just because a cart can go 20 mph or faster does not mean it is appropriate to always drive that fast. If I am driving my cart and come to a curve with limited visibility, I slow down. If I am driving early morning or late evening with limited visibility, I slow down to whatever speed makes visibility safe. If I meet pedestrians in the split part of the MMP, I slow down even though most will step off the path. While driving my cart, if I come up behind a bicyclist on the split portion of the MMP, I slow down and follow him until the path opens back up. No need to hurry and risk injuring someone.

Pedestrians who do not carry some type of illumination in the dark are taking on risk also.

The MMP's are for all forms of transportation from carts, to scooters, to roller blades, to bicycles, to Segways. We all have an obligation to share the MMP and to proceed safely.