Traffic rules of The Villages

[DDoug]

It's very evident that the traffic rules of The Villages are different than outside the bubble. No one really understands who has the right of way at a four way stop. And weather it's a golf cart or a car turning left of center if it is a cart from a cart lane or a car you don't have the right of way. Either that or all the traffic rules that are taught are wrong. And why do you need to pass another cart on the cart lane especially when you are next to the street unless of course your cart is street legal. OK I feel better.

[redwitch]

There's traffic rules in TV? Cudda fooled me.

[DDoug]

You have a point there Redwitch that explains every thing

[MikeV]

Rules of the road are the same as outside the bubble. They just seem to be ignored.

[smcgirl]

I have found the rules are quite different. I am surprised that in Florida the right lane is the passing lane.

[patfla06]

I have found the rules are quite different. I am surprised that in Florida the right lane is the passing lane.

The left lane is the passing lane in Florida.

[karostay]

Quote--- Thunder Dome---- Rules There are no rules
2 carts enter one cart leaves:jester:

[Topspinmo]

I have noticed that most vehicles don't have blinker lights in the round-a-bouts when they are exiting and you are yeilding to enter? Another thing I have noticed 25 mph speed limit really means 35, and 35 mph speed limit really means 45 except on north Buena Vista blvd where the sheriff posse was with radar guns couple weeks ago. Luckily I'm still newbie here and still obey the speed limit signs:ohdear:

[graciegirl]

Rules of the road are the same as outside the bubble. They just seem to be ignored.


I can explain this because I read this forum. Last week there was a long thread on the differences of being older. Kinda old, old, older, real old and wrinklie smart.

It said in that thread that the EARLY boomers like ignoring rules. Not the Late Boomers. Or was it the other way 'round?

[billethkid]

there is no difference in the rulles....but TV does have more....way more than it's share of folks who either don't follow the rules....don't know there are rulles....could care less about the rules....and the most dangerous of all the ones who THINK they are following the rules....BUT ARE NOT (oblivious to anybody else on the road.....very similare to the don't care crowd).

[Polar Bear]

Of course there's some bad driving goes on in TV. And the roundabouts add a bit of confusion for some. But I swear it doesn't seem any different here than anyplace else I've lived or visited. Good drivers/bad drivers...you gotta watch out for them all, no matter where you are.

[slipcovers]

Of course there's some bad driving goes on in TV. And the roundabouts add a bit of confusion for some. But I swear it doesn't seem any different here than anyplace else I've lived or visited. Good drivers/bad drivers...you gotta watch out for them all, no matter where you are.

I agree....that pretty much sums it up.

[Patty55]

Whoa, we have traffic rules? Who knew.

[Challenger]

:agree:Of course there's some bad driving goes on in TV. And the roundabouts add a bit of confusion for some. But I swear it doesn't seem any different here than anyplace else I've lived or visited. Good drivers/bad drivers...you gotta watch out for them all, no matter where you are.

:agree:

[DDoug]

I don't think folks understood what I was really trying to say. Because people make up their own traffic rules causes some confusion where if everyone would drive according to how the laws were written traffic would flow a bit better. Even the police I have noticed don't make the turns onto a four lane road properly.

[rubicon]

The rules of the road are pretty much standard around the country and perhaps modified for specific situations everywhere. And drivers everywhere break ignore or unintentionally error in following those rules

What makes The Villages different is the coming together of a older homogenous population from around the globe meshing together and bringing with them the driving habits of their communities based on size, etc.
What makes The Villages different is the merging of autos, carts bikes, pedestrians all trying to share the same pathways and roads.

[Average Guy]

I don't think folks understood what I was really trying to say. Because people make up their own traffic rules causes some confusion where if everyone would drive according to how the laws were written traffic would flow a bit better. Even the police I have noticed don't make the turns onto a four lane road properly.

I am not sure what you mean by your statement about police making improper turns. I was surprised when I moved to Florida to learn that when you make a left turn, you do not have to turn into the leftmost lane.

" A left turn may be completed in any lane lawfully available, or safe, for the desired direction of travel."

Source: Florida Drivers Handbook - Making Turns (http://www.123driving.com/flhandbook/flhb-making-turns.shtml)

[Indydealmaker]

I am not sure what you mean by your statement about police making improper turns. I was surprised when I moved to Florida to learn that when you make a left turn, you do not have to turn into the leftmost lane.

" A left turn may be completed in any lane lawfully available, or safe, for the desired direction of travel."

Source: Florida Drivers Handbook - Making Turns (http://www.123driving.com/flhandbook/flhb-making-turns.shtml)

I noticed that also and was both surprised and dismayed because the Florida accepted practice increases the chances of accidents.

[Way2Old]

I've only been here a short while, however, I do believe that traffic laws here are perceived as only suggestions. What I don't understand is why are so many people that live in a retirement community in such a hurry.:shrug:

[mickey100]

I've only been here a short while, however, I do believe that traffic laws here are perceived as only suggestions. What I don't understand is why are so many people that live in a retirement community in such a hurry.:shrug:


I could never figure out why some people feel they have the right to be judgmental about other people's time schedules. Just because someone is retired doesn't mean they have all the time in the world. People do volunteerism, have doctor's appointments, sports schedules, meetings and so on. And yes, they may be in a hurry. Get over it.

[Hancle704]

I have found the rules are quite different. I am surprised that in Florida the right lane is the passing lane.

Not like Boston where the break down lane is the passing lane.

[karostay]

It's becoming... Sad to say.... It's an all about Me!!!!! Community
remember not all that long ago everyone in golf carts waved nodded and said hello

[Polar Bear]

I am not sure what you mean by your statement about police making improper turns...when you make a left turn, you do not have to turn into the leftmost lane...


Yep.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I don't see any different driving rules here in The Villages. Most people follow the rules pretty well. I've seen people in many states that don't seem to understand the right our way rule in intersection. It's no different here except that people tend to drive a lot slower and are much more courteous than most other places I've lived.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

It's becoming... Sad to say.... It's an all about Me!!!!! Community
remember not all that long ago everyone in golf carts waved nodded and said hello

I still see a lot of people wave and nod from golf carts. It's one of the things I love about this place. Have you tried waving first?

[Taltarzac725]

I still see a lot of people wave and nod from golf carts. It's one of the things I love about this place. Have you tried waving first?

I still get waved at and I would not say I quite fit in with most of the Villages being 55 and actually looking younger than that according to some. Of course, flattery does work with me too, so maybe they are just telling me what I want to hear.

There are a few rude people but with the population here especially when all the snow birds get back, tempers can rise quite quickly. Seems it goes like a ratio to the traffic on the major routes through the Villages.

[USSGompers]

It irks me that when I am at a 4-way stop and it's another car's turn to go- they wave at me and tell me to go. I just stay there and they keep waving- finally they go.

See, the thing is- that kind of driving behavior causes accidents. I wish that everyone would just follow the rules of the road.

[travelguy]

my big pet peeve are stop signs. if you are on wheels then you must make a complete stop. this goes for bicyclists (you are not immune to stop signs), autos, or golf carts. i do not like it when a golf cart has a stop sign, and the auto does not (crossings such as at gates) and the auto comes to a screeching halt and the driver motions the cart driver to cross. the auto has the right of way, the cart has a stop sign. what this does is embolden the cart driver to think that he has a right of way....this is not the case. auto drivers....stop being so courteous and polite. cart drivers....obey the law. and cart drivers....use your turn signals. please.
btw: my primary mode of transportation is a golf cart.

[Jaggy]

I just figure I am invisible when I am on the road and drive defensively. AND use my blinkers ( or the correct word...... turn signals , as my husband points out)

[TheVillageChicken]

The rules of the road are pretty much standard around the country and perhaps modified for specific situations everywhere. And drivers everywhere break ignore or unintentionally error in following those rules

What makes The Villages different is the coming together of a older homogenous population from around the globe meshing together and bringing with them the driving habits of their communities based on size, etc.
What makes The Villages different is the merging of autos, carts bikes, pedestrians all trying to share the same pathways and roads.


I think you mean "heterogeneous."

[graciegirl]

Why don't bicyclists stop for stop signs? I saw one stop for the first time last week. I am very careful as I turn into our gate from 466 because of golf carts and bicyclists.

I know they hate to stop and I can see why, but rules are rules.

[tuccillo]

You will often see cyclists not come to a complete stop at stop signs. For those of us who use cliip-in pedals (think ski boot bindings), there is some effort to unclip and clip back in and it is generally safer to roll through the stops at a slow speed (say 5 mph) if it is clear to do so. If it isn't, most cyclists will come to a complete stop. Just like with cars, there are those who will do things they shouldn't but I believe the vast majority of cyclists do the right thing. Some states allow for the so-called "Idaho stops" - cyclists can treat stop signs as yield signs and not come to a complete stop if it is safe to do so. This is not the law the FL but hopefully it will be one day.

Why don't bicyclists stop for stop signs? I saw one stop for the first time last week. I am very careful as I turn into our gate from 466 because of golf carts and bicyclists.

I know they hate to stop and I can see why, but rules are rules.

[SoccerCoach]

Rules of the road are the same as outside the bubble. They just seem to be ignored.

I think you're correct, they're ignored. Because there is no authority around to enforce the "rules", until there is an accident. Then an officer determines who was at fault and the "ignored rule" is enforced. Life goes on.

[mickey100]

You will often see cyclists not come to a complete stop at stop signs. For those of us who use cliip-in pedals (think ski boot bindings), there is some effort to unclip and clip back in and it is generally safer to roll through the stops at a slow speed (say 5 mph) if it is clear to do so. If it isn't, most cyclists will come to a complete stop. Just like with cars, there are those who will do things they shouldn't but I believe the vast majority of cyclists do the right thing. Some states allow for the so-called "Idaho stops" - cyclists can treat stop signs as yield signs and not come to a complete stop if it is safe to do so. This is not the law the FL but hopefully it will be one day.

Thanks you for posting that. I'm a cyclist and I think a lot of people just don't understand the clip-in issue.

[Penryn]

I've only been here a short while, however, I do believe that traffic laws here are perceived as only suggestions. What I don't understand is why are so many people that live in a retirement community in such a hurry.:shrug:

Yesterday at the St. James gate, stopped, used gate card and was turning within 50 feet of gate onto Neptune with my right blinker on. As I pulled away a red car came up fast to within inches of my back bumper and then sat on the horn because I wasn't going fast enough.

A few days before a golfer yelled at me that he had the right of way crossing the gate traffic because he said it was a four way stop. However golf carts have the stop signs. Automobiles have the gate instead of stop signs. I believe the right of way after going through the gate belongs to the cars.

They both were very impatient and seemed in a big hurry.

[Indydealmaker]

Thanks you for posting that. I'm a cyclist and I think a lot of people just don't understand the clip-in issue.

What is the purpose of the clips?

[GaryW]

What is the purpose of the clips?

Clips.. They are riding shoes that have clips or cleats and snap onto a special pedal,, it allows for the cyclist to pedal much more efficient and with more power.
Most cyclist will use them. Most cyclist Do not need them around the villages, but they still use them...
Even wearing riding shoes that clip on, still need to obey the rules, that is why you will see most cyclist that are serious ride on the streets so they do not have to keep stopping on the MMP.
I am 100% guilty of not stopping all the time, usually I will make sure no one is coming then procede after coming to a ALMOST stop. I know that is no excuse and do not use it as one. I know I should completely stop as should all cars and carts and motorcycles and so on, and no all of them do not stop..

The one thing about traffic laws that amaze me, is this is a retirement community. Do not understand all hostility and " I am in a Hurry" get out of my way driving that goes on here. I had a gentlemen in a blue smart car coming out of Bellevedere dang near run me over and tell me get out of his way. He said he had an appointment to make. :cus:

Anyway that is my 2 cent.

And for Gracie Girl,, please do not run me over entering your house,,,, if so at least get me a Ice Cold Blue Moon. :coolsmiley: