Major accident on Morse

[redwitch]

Not sure if cleared up, yet, but suggest you stay away from Morse between 466 and Rio Grande. Cars and carts were being detoured onto side streets. Would have been okay but with lawn workers and moving vans blocking a lane and people not willing to take turns to get around them, a minor inconvenience became an hour and a half of impatience.

Don't know what happened and truly hoping everyone is okay or minor injuries, at most.

[Bonny]

Not sure if cleared up, yet, but suggest you stay away from Morse between 466 and Rio Grande. Cars and carts were being detoured onto side streets. Would have been okay but with lawn workers and moving vans blocking a lane and people not willing to take turns to get around them, a minor inconvenience became an hour and a half of impatience.

Don't know what happened and truly hoping everyone is okay or minor injuries, at most.
When I saw the thread topic saying, Major, I thought this was a really bad serious accident !
Hopefully it's not and everyone will be okay.

[redwitch]

Sigh, not so minor. The not to be named Villages news source says a head-on crash between golf cart and mini-van. Accident occurred at 9:30 am, traffic still jammed up and being detoured at 10:30.

[downeaster]

Not sure if cleared up, yet, but suggest you stay away from Morse between 466 and Rio Grande. Cars and carts were being detoured onto side streets. Would have been okay but with lawn workers and moving vans blocking a lane and people not willing to take turns to get around them, a minor inconvenience became an hour and a half of impatience.

Don't know what happened and truly hoping everyone is okay or minor injuries, at most.

The local news outlet we are forbidden to name has an article and pics.

[Bonny]

Just read the article and saw the pictures ! :(
Praying that everyone will be okay.
They didn't say if the golf cart driver got thrown out. Hopefully he/she didn't.

[Chatbrat]

AS I said in the past--Golf Carts are not toys--if you tie with a car--guess who loses ? no excuse not to get seat belts !!!

[NYGUY]

A head-on collision would mean that one of the vehicles was on the wrong side of the road....hope everyone is OK!!

[onslowe]

Tragic. The golf cart driver died. Prayers for all involved.

[Bonny]

Tragic. The golf cart driver died. Prayers for all involved.
OMG !! How tragic. Prayers for the family and all involved.

[graciegirl]

Tragic. The golf cart driver died. Prayers for all involved.


Oh dear. I will add my prayers. Please all drive carefully.

[Bonny]

A head-on collision would mean that one of the vehicles was on the wrong side of the road....hope everyone is OK!!
Or someone was turning in front of the other.

[joldnol]

tragic

[bagboy]

Sadly the driver of the golf cart did not survive the accident per an online news source. I don't know if it would have made any difference but installing seat belts on your golf cart is the best money you will ever spend here in The Villages.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I was coming north on Morse from 466 and traffic was back up all the way through the gate.
They rerouted us through Carrera Drive. When I came out onto Morse on the north end of Carrera I could see the accident.

It looked to me that there were at least two cars and two golf carts involved. One car was well up into the embankment and I could see one of the golf carts was severely damaged.

I can't imagine what happened. Its a fairly straight section of road with no intersection nearby.

Maybe someone had a heart attack or stroke while driving.

[joldnol]

paper said the golf cart turned in front of the van

[rdhdleo]

So very sad prayers for all those involved. From the pictures it looks like the van may have tried to avoid the golf cart. I just wish everyone would be more careful. A golf cart is never a match for a car or van or truck. Remember also that many here driving vehicles do not have the sharp reflexes they once had to avoid an accident. Don't take a chance thinking you can beat that car. I'm not saying this is what happened but I have seen it so very often.

Again prayers for all parties involved!

[gerryann]

A man driving a golf cart that collided with a mini-van this morning on Morse Boulevard has died.

The man, whose name has not been released pending notification of next of kin, was transported to The Villages Regional Hospital after suffering critical injuries in the accident. He was later pronounced dead at TVRH.

His golf cart had been traveling south on Morse Boulevard in the golf cart lane near Fuentez Avenue, according to an accident report from the Florida Highway Patrol.

The golf cart driver had made a left turn onto Fuentez Avenue, turning into the path of a van driven by 80-year-old Wendell Jesseman of The Villages.

Jesseman and a passenger in the van, 80-year-old Erline Jesseman also of The Villages, were not injured, according to the FHP report. However, they were evaluated by EMS personnel at the crash site.

[NYGUY]

The other paper is now saying the golf cart turned left in front of the van. How very sad!!....my prayers for family and friends!!....it's very dangerous out there, drive carefully!!!

[NotGolfer]

I read the article and the comments offered below. One person was an eye-witness to the accident and said the golf-cart driver was at fault and the van didn't have a chance of missing him. I think "some" drivers of carts drive aggressively...we've all seen it....I've seen where they should have waited but didn't. If you do make it, it's your guardian angel watching over you for sure. I keep saying "golf carts so NOT have the right of way!" People's depth perception changes as they grow older as well as reflexes. So being extra careful is the antidote to the issues with driving now matter the vehicle.

If the deceased has a wife, what a call to get! For his family members and friends, such saddness to have bestowned upon them! Prayers for comfort at this time!!

[rdhdleo]

I read the article and the comments offered below. One person was an eye-witness to the accident and said the golf-cart driver was at fault and the van didn't have a chance of missing him. I think "some" drivers of carts drive aggressively...we've all seen it....I've seen where they should have waited but didn't. If you do make it, it's your guardian angel watching over you for sure. I keep saying "golf carts so NOT have the right of way!" People's depth perception changes as they grow older as well as reflexes. So being extra careful is the antidote to the issues with driving now matter the vehicle.

If the deceased has a wife, what a call to get! For his family members and friends, such saddness to have bestowned upon them! Prayers for comfort at this time!!

Pretty much what I was trying to say but you said it so much better! I agree!

[Taltarzac725]

I read the article and the comments offered below. One person was an eye-witness to the accident and said the golf-cart driver was at fault and the van didn't have a chance of missing him. I think "some" drivers of carts drive aggressively...we've all seen it....I've seen where they should have waited but didn't. If you do make it, it's your guardian angel watching over you for sure. I keep saying "golf carts so NOT have the right of way!" People's depth perception changes as they grow older as well as reflexes. So being extra careful is the antidote to the issues with driving now matter the vehicle.

If the deceased has a wife, what a call to get! For his family members and friends, such saddness to have bestowned upon them! Prayers for comfort at this time!!

Sorry to hear this tragic news.

[mixsonci]

I am new here,so maybe a silly question, but Morse seems much more dangerous to me than Buena Vista, yet golf carts are not allowed on BV but they evidently are on Morse? Is that correct? Seems rather poor planning? Morse also seems to be much busier thanBV?

[Taltarzac725]

I am new here,so maybe a silly question, but Morse seems much more dangerous to me than Buena Vista, yet golf carts are not allowed on BV but they evidently are on Morse? Is that correct? Seems rather poor planning? Morse also seems to be much busier thanBV?

Buena Vista has a path far to one side. They did not seem to really anticipate the success of the Villages at one time, so some parts have much narrower streets. They did broaden Morse north of CR466 about 18 months ago.

[Bogie Shooter]

Sigh, not so minor. The not to be named Villages news source says a head-on crash between golf cart and mini-van. Accident occurred at 9:30 am, traffic still jammed up and being detoured at 10:30.

I didn't read anything about a head-on crash. Golf cart made a left turn into path of minivan.

[Bogie Shooter]

I am new here,so maybe a silly question, but Morse seems much more dangerous to me than Buena Vista, yet golf carts are not allowed on BV but they evidently are on Morse? Is that correct? Seems rather poor planning? Morse also seems to be much busier thanBV?

Had nothing to do with your perception of Morse being much more dangerous or poor planning. A golf cart made a left turn in front of a van!

[cromlich]

This is almost the same exact spot where my accident was 2-13-14. A car pulled in front of us at Carrera as we were headed South. I've had 3 surgeries since then and lost the hearing in my left ear. People please be careful out there. Seat belts should be manatory. I have them in my golf cart. There are a lot of folks out there right now that just don't understand the rules of the road. I do not travel Morse in a golf cart anymore during SB season. I'm praying for the family of the deceased. I know I am lucky to be alive.

[Bonanza]

I am a huge believer in seat belts. However, from the sound of this accident, I don't think even that would have helped. This is very sad for all involved. The poor driver of the van will relive this accident every day for the rest of his life.

Yes -- very sad for everyone.

[Bonny]

This is almost the same exact spot where my accident was 2-13-14. A car pulled in front of us at Carrera as we were headed South. I've had 3 surgeries since then and lost the hearing in my left ear. People please be careful out there. Seat belts should be manatory. I have them in my golf cart. There are a lot of folks out there right now that just don't understand the rules of the road. I do not travel Morse in a golf cart anymore during SB season. I'm praying for the family of the deceased. I know I am lucky to be alive.
Wow, so sorry to hear this. Thank God you're here to talk about it.

[NYGUY]

I didn't read anything about a head-on crash. Golf cart made a left turn into path of minivan.

Bogie, the original story in the other paper said it was a head-on crash....they later changed it to a left turn in front of the van.

[Bonny]

I am a huge believer in seat belts. However, from the sound of this accident, I don't think even that would have helped. This is very sad for all involved. The poor driver of the van will relive this accident every day for the rest of his life.

Yes -- very sad for everyone.
My guess looking at the picture of the golf cart, he was thrown out of it.

[cromlich]

Wow, so sorry to hear this. Thank God you're here to talk about it.

Thank you so much! I feel blessed to be alive. What happened to us was we were headed South on Morse at Carrerra. My friend was driving the GC and I being the passenger. Traffic was backed up from Rio Grande to 466 and a truck motioned for the car that they were allowing them a left hand turn on Carrerra. The poor man that we hit didn't realize the path was not clear and pulled directly in front of us. My side of the cart hit the car and luckily I was not thrown out but forward. I tore my thumb loose from my hand, had a back injury and my third surgery was ACL, Meniscus repair of my R knee. I lost the hearing in my left ear from a concussion I suffered above my eye. I've been praying for the couple in the car because I know they didn't mean to pull in front of us. God blessed me that day! I could be dead.......another rule of thumb....it is our responsibility to make sure the path is clear if someone is motioning that they are being kind enough to let us through.

[rubicon]

I happened on that scene around 10:00 AM or so and saw several police fire units and recognized it was a serious mishap. Traffic was rerouted. i turned around in Del a Vista and went back to 441/and around.

This accident is the exact reason I hesitate to travel Morse by cart. You can bet that police monitoring of speed traffic etc will occur after this fatality

so sorry for the family

[gatherer47]

Even though driver error caused this accident,Morse Blvd is very dangerous for golf carts.Any logical person would rather be on a separate golf cart path[yes where accidents can still occur] than to be on a heavily traveled street where only a white painted line separates you from automobiles.

[raynan]

WESH2NEWS just reported the accident on the news that the fatality was a Frances Hughes. May he rest in peace.

[Taltarzac725]

WESH2NEWS just reported the accident on the news that the fatality was a Frances Hughes. May he rest in peace.

Here's a link from WESH.com.

FHP: Man, 86, dies after golf cart crash with minivan in The Villages | Local News - WESH Home (http://www.wesh.com/news/fhp-man-86-dies-after-golf-cart-crash-with-minivan-in-the-villages/30681144)

[Madelaine Amee]

This was taken from an email written to the online newspaper, and it is so true:

Rule #2 – Golf carts do not have the “Right of way” when they decide to cross into the automobile lane to their left. The only legal places to move to the left in a golf cart is where the line is “Dashed”, not “Solid”, or at an intersection. Too many cart drivers “cheat over” before they get to the area where the line is dashed, thereby creating a hazard by cutting in front of cars going at the speed limit. Where the lines before a gate indicate that carts should merge left, they should still yield to cars on their left.

Because of where we live, we see this exact same driving at a local intersection, and not only do the carts cut across our lane, they do so at a high speed. I cannot tell you how many times we have received the middle finger salute or had the "F" word flung at us when a golf cart has crossed our lane to turn left.

Unfortunately, it was a fatality waiting to happen. I am sure the golf cart driver had done this maneuver numerous times before and gotten away with it. My sympathy lies with the occupants of the car. How does one sleep after you have killed someone in an accident such as this?

[golf2140]

Don't put blame on the roadway.

[Uptown Girl]

The report made it sound like driver of the golf car made a left turn from the right (golf car ) lane.
Please, TO ALL THOSE WHO ARE NEW to driving in a golf car:
:gc:

When you want to make a left turn, it is proper to:

Use your mirrors to check what traffic is to the rear of your vehicle (just like in an auto)

Signal your intent AHEAD of time and ENTER the left lane when it is safe to do so.

Once you are in the left lane, when oncoming traffic is gone, make your left turn.

Non- street legal Golf cars ARE allowed to be in the left hand lane for this purpose. I think some folks really don't know this.
--------------

I have TWICE had the scare of rental golf cars spontaneously turning left from the right hand lane, crossing (with inches to spare) in front of my automobile…. one flapped her hand at me (signal?) while passing my front end- but I had NO advance warning in either case.
On both occasions, they were headed into Sterling Heights recreation center.

Thank G-d my reflexes kicked in and twice accidents were avoided- and Thank G-d there was no one behind ME as I jerked to a sudden stop. Thank G-d my heart palpitations quieted afterwards.


I would so like to see a manual given with every golf car purchased (or rented) here:
Rules of the Road for new golf car drivers in The Villages.

Be alert and sensible, so you may enjoy and live to tell the tale. Please.

[redwitch]

From the reports I've read, I can't quite figure out if the golf cart was headed south on Morse and planning to turn left into Fuentes or was turning left from Fuentes onto Morse southbound. Either way, he pulled out in front of the mini-van. From the look if the pictures, I'd guess left from Fuentes.

Having lived near there, I know how frustrating it can be to sit and wait to turn left, whether in a car or a cart, especially during the snowbird season. I once sat for 35 minutes before being able to SAFELY turn left. We won't even discuss the very real fear of moving into the roadway to turn into my mini-village. I was not sorry to move. Unfortunately, this poor gentleman either thought he could safely cross or got tired of waiting and decided to chance it.

My prayers go out to his family and to the people in the mini-van.

[rjm1cc]

A good reminder that we should follow the rules of the road and be extra careful as we are all getting older and may not be able to react as fast as we did yesterday.

[spring_chicken]

This was taken from an email written to the online newspaper, and it is so true:

Rule #2 – Golf carts do not have the “Right of way” when they decide to cross into the automobile lane to their left. The only legal places to move to the left in a golf cart is where the line is “Dashed”, not “Solid”, or at an intersection. Too many cart drivers “cheat over” before they get to the area where the line is dashed, thereby creating a hazard by cutting in front of cars going at the speed limit. Where the lines before a gate indicate that carts should merge left, they should still yield to cars on their left.

Because of where we live, we see this exact same driving at a local intersection, and not only do the carts cut across our lane, they do so at a high speed. I cannot tell you how many times we have received the middle finger salute or had the "F" word flung at us when a golf cart has crossed our lane to turn left.

Unfortunately, it was a fatality waiting to happen. I am sure the golf cart driver had done this maneuver numerous times before and gotten away with it. My sympathy lies with the occupants of the car. How does one sleep after you have killed someone in an accident such as this?


Really? You are sure of this? The man is dead and you want to assure us he had made the same mistake numerous times before? Nice.

[tommy steam]

Everyday you will see golf cart drivers with no clue as how to drive around this place. I would like to see a mandatory driving school or class for golf carts before you are allowed to drive one in the villages. It might save someone's life or prevent a crippling injury.

[NYGUY]

The report made it sound like driver of the golf car made a left turn from the right (golf car ) lane.
Please, TO ALL THOSE WHO ARE NEW to driving in a golf car:
:gc:

When you want to make a left turn, it is proper to:

Use your mirrors to check what traffic is to the rear of your vehicle (just like in an auto)

Signal your intent AHEAD of time and ENTER the left lane when it is safe to do so.

Once you are in the left lane, when oncoming traffic is gone, make your left turn.

Non- street legal Golf cars ARE allowed to be in the left hand lane for this purpose. I think some folks really don't know this.
--------------

I have TWICE had the scare of rental golf cars spontaneously turning left from the right hand lane, crossing (with inches to spare) in front of my automobile…. one flapped her hand at me (signal?) while passing my front end- but I had NO advance warning in either case.
On both occasions, they were headed into Sterling Heights recreation center.

Thank G-d my reflexes kicked in and twice accidents were avoided- and Thank G-d there was no one behind ME as I jerked to a sudden stop. Thank G-d my heart palpitations quieted afterwards.


I would so like to see a manual given with every golf car purchased (or rented) here:
Rules of the Road for new golf car drivers in The Villages.

Be alert and sensible, so you may enjoy and live to tell the tale. Please.

Thank you Uptown Girl....everyone needs to understand this, and a manual or course is a great idea!!!

[jdsl1998]

Especially this time of year, I drive as if every other driver just got their first license at 16…and they are on the road for the first time alone.

Prayers to all involved. Even for all of us, it is always hard to loose a Villager….

[Bogie Shooter]

Bogie, the original story in the other paper said it was a head-on crash....they later changed it to a left turn in front of the van.

What paper?

[NYGUY]

What paper?

The on-line one we are not allowed to talk about on here.

[Taltarzac725]

Neighbors remember (http://www.thevillagesdailysun.com/news/in_todays_daily_sun/article_06a21e18-9ba9-11e4-b042-9bb56ab0874a.html)

I applaud The Villages Daily Sun for putting this story on the front page and also having a Sumter County Sheriff's Officer give advice about safe golf cart driving.

[graciegirl]

This makes 14 deaths in the last five years due to golf cart accidents in The Villages. They happened for a myriad of reasons and in a myriad of places. I think it would make everyone feel safer if the paths were separated north of 466. As the villages grew, wisdom grew and that mistake was corrected in heavily traveled paths in other areas.

At this time of year we have many new people who are not familiar with how to get around, the rules of the road for golf carts and some of the information that many of us who have lived here for awhile have absorbed.
And they are joined by many family members of villagers who are equally new to this very large and somewhat complicated infrastructure. Our grandson who is 22 and just completed his internship in LA and drove all over there for three months asked if he could take the golfcart out by himself last week when he was visiting and we said no.

There is no abundance of caution for some precious lives. There is also not much protecting us in that open four wheeled conveyance, even if we are strapped in.

AND if it were mandated to have to take a safety course, there would be those who would get around it, defy it or figure out some way to march against it. You cannot teach, force, or insist on people having common sense.

I am so sad for the terrible accident that left a family grieving and another one overcome with the awful reality of causing a death even if they weren't at fault..

PLEASE, please drive like everyone is stupid, because many are. But we still care and have to look out for them and for the ones who aren't. AND on any given day any of us can do something stupid, have a distracting thought, not be on for a second.

[circletrack]

Neighbors remember (http://www.thevillagesdailysun.com/news/in_todays_daily_sun/article_06a21e18-9ba9-11e4-b042-9bb56ab0874a.html)

I applaud The Villages Daily Sun for putting this story on the front page and also having a Sumter County Sheriff's Officer give advice about safe golf cart driving.

Agreed. This was a very informative story and right on the front page.
And many comments on the "online news" site were doubtful that the Sun would even cover such a story.

From the big story on the sinkhole, to the fire chief, to this tragic accident it appears the Sun has turned a corner on covering some of the less "happy" stories they are often knocked for.

[Chatbrat]

Both drivers where over 80 & the deceased was 85--question is for everyone--when did you have your last vision test?

[rubicon]

This was taken from an email written to the online newspaper, and it is so true:

Rule #2 – Golf carts do not have the “Right of way” when they decide to cross into the automobile lane to their left. The only legal places to move to the left in a golf cart is where the line is “Dashed”, not “Solid”, or at an intersection. Too many cart drivers “cheat over” before they get to the area where the line is dashed, thereby creating a hazard by cutting in front of cars going at the speed limit. Where the lines before a gate indicate that carts should merge left, they should still yield to cars on their left.

Because of where we live, we see this exact same driving at a local intersection, and not only do the carts cut across our lane, they do so at a high speed. I cannot tell you how many times we have received the middle finger salute or had the "F" word flung at us when a golf cart has crossed our lane to turn left.

Unfortunately, it was a fatality waiting to happen. I am sure the golf cart driver had done this maneuver numerous times before and gotten away with it. My sympathy lies with the occupants of the car. How does one sleep after you have killed someone in an accident such as this?

Madelaine Amee: What you address is correct except in this case the diamond lane where this cart made a life has not such markings remaining a solid white line.. I suspect this cart driver made that turn several times. I suspect that art driver had to face heavy traffic every time he made that left turn. I suspect the road marking are not well suited for such a left hand turn and placed this guy at a disadvantage.

Golf cart drivers often begin merging to the left before the markings indicate so because many have tried to move when the markings indicate but inpatient auto drivers accelerate their vehicles cutting them off and they are concerned that in the auto's attempt to beat you they are going to clobber you

[rubicon]

Everyday you will see golf cart drivers with no clue as how to drive around this place. I would like to see a mandatory driving school or class for golf carts before you are allowed to drive one in the villages. It might save someone's life or prevent a crippling injury.

Hi tommy steam: Rules of the road apply to autos golf carts and bicycles. A driving school is not needed;albeit for some a refresher course might help...and one is usually recommended when receiving a traffic ticket.

No what we have here is simply people who don't care, don't concentrate on their driving or like the highs of running a stop sign, etc.

In addition you have a multi-modal design for both many streets and paths for a demographic that has the continuation of slower and slower reaction times. Now that's enlightened visionary thinking

[DonH57]

Madelaine Amee: What you address is correct except in this case the diamond lane where this cart made a life has not such markings remaining a solid white line.. I suspect this cart driver made that turn several times. I suspect that art driver had to face heavy traffic every time he made that left turn. I suspect the road marking are not well suited for such a left hand turn and placed this guy at a disadvantage.

Golf cart drivers often begin merging to the left before the markings indicate so because many have tried to move when the markings indicate but inpatient auto drivers accelerate their vehicles cutting them off and they are concerned that in the auto's attempt to beat you they are going to clobber you

What you described is what I've seen about every time I have merged left to cross over southbound on Morse just before the gate near 466. Some cars will accelerate when they see a cart trying to merge because heaven forbid a cart get in front of them. I think this is one of the most dangerous spots for golf cart drivers. You just have to use caution and time your move accordingly.

[BobnBev]

Once again on my morning walk, I saw a lady completely stopped in the golf cart lane, waiting to make a left turn across the car lanes, to enter a side street. Not even a signal light on. I wonder if these people are brain dead, or just don't know any better. Mandatory golf cart driving instructions and refresher courses are in our future, maybe tied in with our regular drivers license. You need an endorsement for motorcycles on your license, why not golf carts?

[pivo]

morse ave is just too dangerous for golf carts, as one poster said he had to wait 35 min to get on with a golf cart, then they say well your retired why hurry, it's people like myself will get impatient and take a chance they normally wouldn't , in a car if you wait 10 min. you will rush yourself which again you normally wouldn't, I only use a car on Morse, it is too dangerous for golf carts, if these accidents keep happening they should ban carts on Morse ave.

[Bogie Shooter]

So, how many posters on this thread have taken this course?

VHA Golf Cart Safety Clinic

Wednesday, January 21 @ 9:00 am

Colony Cottage Recreation Center

All Villages residents are welcome

[pivo]

Golf cart driving is common sense, if your in an area like Morse ave, you sort of lose common sense and take chances, it's like let me see if I can beat this on coming car, I drive Morse 2-3 times a week in my car I see how the carts are trying to edge out and carts behind, it's a mess

[Bogie Shooter]

Golf cart driving is common sense, if your in an area like Morse ave, you sort of lose common sense and take chances, it's like let me see if I can beat this on coming car, I drive Morse 2-3 times a week in my car I see how the carts are trying to edge out and carts behind, it's a mess

Let's see that would be driver error, right?

[gatherer47]

The operator making the error is often the driver of the CAR-so many putdowns on here of golf cart driving error-and no matter who's fault you can't deny Morse Blvd is dangerous for both types of vehicles because of having to share this street