
01-14-2024, 01:38 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: The Villages
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby
I agree, the design is flawed. But that's the design we have, presently. While we can advocate for a change in design (and some of us already are doing that), we still have to accept what IS, until and unless it changes.
Right now, the MMPs are considered wide private paved pathways in which golf carts are permitted to travel, sharing the path with pedestrians and cyclists. They're not considered roads, private nor public, and the regulation of the district government that oversees these MMPs have stated in writing that these MMPs do not allow vehicles. Therefore - according to the body of government that oversees these MMPs, golf carts are not included in the category of "vehicles." The laws of automobiles and motorcycles don't apply on MMPs, because neither of those types of mechanical transportation devices aren't allowed on MMPs. MMPs are their own thing, with their own rules, and their own lack of rules, with their own version of enforcement or lack thereof.
It's no different from dirt bike trails up in the mountains where I came from. The trails are somewhat regulated. Dirt bikes are allowed. X/C skiing and snowshoes are allowed. Pedestrians are allowed. But ATVs are not, nor motorcycles, scooters, mopeds, snowboards, downhill skis, horses, cars or trucks. They're called dirt bike trails. They're not roads, and the laws of roads don't apply. The biggest most significant difference, other than dirt bike trails aren't paved, is that pedestrians absolutely do NOT have the right of way on them, at all. Dirt bikes have the primary right of way, and only have to yield to emergency vehicles. Pedestrians walk those trails at their own risk.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive
Whooo! JJM laid out the kindling for the fire. Someone wanna hand him a match? :-)
Actually in my not-so-humble opinion this is not a male - female thing. It is a lack -of-understanding thing and even more, an entitlement thing. I do a lot of walking as well as golf cart driving and have seen plenty of folks, both genders, doing things that just makes my want so shake my head. Sure, folks have the right to drive 20 mph on the MMPs. But does that justify taking a 90 degree corner so fast that the cart barely holds the road, or even moreso (as I've seen) necessitates taking the grass so the cart doesn't roll--especially those topheavy ones one sees more and more of these days. Sure, you and your partner/friend/whatever have the right to walk on the MMPs, but does that justify you strolling two abreast while walking VERY slowly with a line of carts coming at you from both directions? You have the right to ride your bicycle on the MMP, but does that justify you (and the four folks behind you) flying by the cart on the path stopped for a stop sign without even slowing down? Sure, a faster golf cart has the right to pass a slower one on the MMP, but does that justify trying to pass the slower cart by veering into the left lane and timing it so you just barely miss the walker who, being on the left, had no way to see you coming? (I was the walker on that one--guy missed me by just inches.) Just four things I've seen recently: all ended well but with even slightly different circumstances, could well not have.
It behooves us all, no matter what we may believe the laws might be or how strongly we feel we are in the right, to use our heads out there. I've never yet paid a price for being courteous.
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Agree 100% great points.
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