[tophcfa]

What’s up with all the to do about the need for better night vision for golf carts? If people would simply replace their tinted windshields with clear ones their night vision would immediately improve dramatically. If you don’t believe that just try driving around at night with your windshield folded down. Tinted windshields are great for fleet golf carts that are designed for golf course use, with no consideration for night driving, but don’t make sense for personal transportation vehicles intended to be driven after dark. Would you wear your sunglasses while driving at night? That is essentially what one is doing with a tinted windshield.

[Topspinmo]

The led off road light bars are for OFF road. They are supposed to covered on public roads and streets, not to worry no LEO follows the law on that one. I was thinking about getting me train locomotive head light mounting it right in center where Yamaha emblem is. That way I can turn night into day even at tree tops just like off road light bars. O there no pointing them down cause the shine 160 degrees plus.

[CarlR33]

We noticed the south paths across from Sawgrass do not have reflectors either in the middle or on the side and it’s difficult to see the path at night. It would help if TV would looked at this long term. I plan to get a bottom of the bumper off-road light bar to point at the road and not blind people. BTW, my windshield is clear not tinted.

[villagetinker]

I strongly suggest getting MOTORCYCLE DOT approved driving lights, these are much easier to aim, and when properly aimed do not blind on coming drivers. The last time I checked these were around $30 for a pair and these are bright enough you only need one (1).

[frayedends]

Good point on tinted windshield. We had a Yamaha with that and couldn’t see 3 feet at night. Traded for an electric evolution and opted to keep the non tinted windshield. So much better. We wear sunglasses during the day anyhow.

[Maker]

The "off road" light bars are flood lights. Meaning they send light in a wide pattern both sideways and vertically. There is a fallacy in pointing them down because a lot of light still goes vertically - blinding oncoming carts.
The ones put on carts by village golf cars are flood lights. 100% illegal to have turned on when on a street. VGC should know better than to put them on carts they know are being operated on streets.
If you want more light, be sure to get street legal lights. They have a focused pattern of light that stops at a certain vertical angle. They focus all the light below that line.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by frayedends

Good point on tinted windshield. We had a Yamaha with that and couldn’t see 3 feet at night. Traded for an electric evolution and opted to keep the non tinted windshield. So much better. We wear sunglasses during the day anyhow.

I'd be willing to bet $$$ that I could see more than 3 feet ahead through your windshield at night. (It's not covered in mud, is it?). Personally, I would suggest you not take that bet, since I have a Yamaha with tinted windshield as well, and no problem at night

[ltcdfancher]

It was District 12 that decided to spend several thousands of dollars to install raised pavement markers on MMP in that district, right? Then the Project Wide Advisory Council (?) objected. The Council’s justification was that the markers might be a tripping hazard for walkers or contribute to a biking accident. If either of those were a valid Project Wide concern, then why do we have raised pavement markers anywhere in The Villages? Put these markers in the middle of every path. Walk on the left edge facing traffic; bicyclists keep within your lane (on the right). No one stumbles. No falls from bicycles. No need for super-bright lights to see which way the path weaves up ahead.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by ltcdfancher

It was District 12 that decided to spend several thousands of dollars to install raised pavement markers on MMP in that district, right? Then the Project Wide Advisory Council (?) objected. The Council’s justification was that the markers might be a tripping hazard for walkers or contribute to a biking accident. If either of those were a valid Project Wide concern, then why do we have raised pavement markers anywhere in The Villages? Put these markers in the middle of every path. Walk on the left edge facing traffic; bicyclists keep within your lane (on the right). No one stumbles. No falls from bicycles. No need for super-bright lights to see which way the path weaves up ahead.

Good point, except, while there might not be a NEED for super bright lights, we can pretty much guarantee a bunch of people will GET them anyway. (Mine is brighter than yours )

[Polarlys]

Had an interesting set of circumstances recently related to this topic. We live in the northern zone near Spanish Springs and going home one dark winter night on the cart path along El Camino Real almost had a tragic accident. Cart coming head on with super bright lights + cars on El Camino with brights on and a person walking at the edge of the path all combined for a potential accident. I was coming off one of the stop signs ( and yes I mostly stop) so accelerateing at that point and I couldn't see the pedestrian until we narrowly missed them. Although the miss was a close call it still was a miss and all were safely along their way. Just mentioning a set of events where I feel the super bright lights are more a hazard then a benefit and are unnecessary. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by ltcdfancher

It was District 12 that decided to spend several thousands of dollars to install raised pavement markers on MMP in that district, right? Then the Project Wide Advisory Council (?) objected. The Council’s justification was that the markers might be a tripping hazard for walkers or contribute to a biking accident. If either of those were a valid Project Wide concern, then why do we have raised pavement markers anywhere in The Villages? Put these markers in the middle of every path. Walk on the left edge facing traffic; bicyclists keep within your lane (on the right). No one stumbles. No falls from bicycles. No need for super-bright lights to see which way the path weaves up ahead.

No. Many of the districts discussed the raised pavement markers (RPMs) and then brought their ideas to the PWAC meeting. The PWAC discussed the matter but was mostly ambivalent. CDD5 brought it up again and pushed for an action. The PWAC was reminded of a 2015 study which recommended against the markers. The PWAC asked for an updated study. That was April.

In late April or early May, CDD5 installed RPMs on at least some of the MMPs within their boundaries. At the most recent PWAC meeting, the updated study was presented which again recommended against RPMs. CDD12 had previously been in favor of the PWAC moving forward on RPMs but changed their position in light of the study. The PWAC decided against installing RPMs. CDD5 was called out for making their MMPs non-uniform.

One paragraph in the study read that if the main recommendation against RPMs was disregarded and MMPs were installed anyway then they should be spaced at ten feet apart. It has been reported that CDD5 has decided to spend additional funds to meet the ten-foot recommendation.

The study did recommend markers on curves and in constricted areas and that is what we have today. These markers alert drivers that they are approaching a hazard (turn, lane separator, hill) giving them time to react and enhance safety for carts. These markers pose no additional risk to cyclist or pedestrians since cyclists would not cross the center lane on a curve or a hill and cart drivers have been alerted to pay closer attention.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

Good point, except, while there might not be a NEED for super bright lights, we can pretty much guarantee a bunch of people will GET them anyway. (Mine is brighter than yours )

I got tired of people yelling at me for completely factory bright headlights so I put a light tint on them.
Blackout style.

[DonH57]

Originally Posted by Polarlys

Had an interesting set of circumstances recently related to this topic. We live in the northern zone near Spanish Springs and going home one dark winter night on the cart path along El Camino Real almost had a tragic accident. Cart coming head on with super bright lights + cars on El Camino with brights on and a person walking at the edge of the path all combined for a potential accident. I was coming off one of the stop signs ( and yes I mostly stop) so accelerateing at that point and I couldn't see the pedestrian until we narrowly missed them. Although the miss was a close call it still was a miss and all were safely along their way. Just mentioning a set of events where I feel the super bright lights are more a hazard then a benefit and are unnecessary. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Super bright lights on the golf carts don't help the driver when they're not aimed toward the pavement like they should be. They almost hit oncoming carts because they can't tell where they are on the cart path.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

I'd be willing to bet $$$ that I could see more than 3 feet ahead through your windshield at night. (It's not covered in mud, is it?). Personally, I would suggest you not take that bet, since I have a Yamaha with tinted windshield as well, and no problem at night

With plexiglass windshield there is a glare problem at night and especially in early morning and late evening clean or not and especially when dirty. Walkers/bikers early morning need to be aware the golf cart driver maybe don’t see them if angle right.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Tyrone Shoelaces

I got tired of people yelling at me for completely factory bright headlights so I put a light tint on them.
Blackout style.

Problem is those Yamaha lights don’t shine downward , no Yamaha golf cart lights shine like vehicle lights on low beam. You can adjust them down some which helps. But most don’t like that. They like lighting up trees see if any squirrels are out… I had adjusted mine down and to right. Which helps but still blinding on curves and up a grade.