Quote:
Originally Posted by margaretmattson
There have been a few threads about this in the past few days. Seems everyone has differing opinions. I took the time to look up the Florida statutes regarding this to make certain I remain safe.
Here is what I found:
When a sidewalk or designated path is not available, a pedestrian (when feasible) must walk facing traffic keeping as far away as moving vehicles as possible.
A pedestrian must adhere to the same rules as motor vehicles. Obeying signs, stopping at traffic lights, and crossing intersections at posted crosswalks. No jaywallking.
I could not find any statutes that pertain to pedestrians on sidewalks or designated paths. This is probably why everyone does as they see fit.
I spoke to my neighbor this morning about this issue. She said she believes the disagreement comes based on where you lived before you came to the Villages. I believe she is correct. I can easily find as many people who agree with me as disagree. I was raised up north and from the time I was in Kindergarten, I was taught to walk on the far right. Everyone in my city, young to old, did it this way. Never any confusion, ever! Problems did not arise until I came to the Villages.
From this moment on, I am going to observe the walkers around me. If most are walking far right, I will follow suit, if most are walking far left, I will follow suit. I will always leave enough space around me to allow faster traffic to pass. I am willing to change. We live, we learn, we adapt.
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Sometimes I see people walking on the right on the multi modal paths and I assume they are new to the Villages and when I pass them I often let them know that golf carts and bicycles can come up very fast and they may be safer walking facing the traffic. I just mention it quickly and don’t wait for agreement as sometimes people are very set in their ways. But anyone with safety in mind knows it is best to walk facing oncoming traffic so you can move out of the way if necessary. Vehicles passing you from the opposite direction (behind you) have no problem as they pass you on the right and you are far enough to the left to not be in their path. In addition, when the path splits in two it is extremely dangerous to walk on the right path.