What troubles me most about the Villages?

[Talk Host]

It does not seem possible to drive anywhere without a "near miss." People turn a blind eye to stop signs and speed limit signs. Golf carts turn "across" in front of traffic all the time. Turn signals are "regularly" not used. It is dangerous to stop at a stop sign, because the car behind you expects you to not stop and it is a total suprise that they, too, have to stop. Souped up golf carts, under aged grandchildren driving golf carts. Grandchildren riding on the lap (or standing) of the golf cart driver.

I believe it is a national trend, but it is far more pronounced in The Villages. This is a retirement community and people are not suppose to be in a hurry. That is not the problem. I believe the problem is that many people have given up their social responsibilities along with their jobs. Have you ever noticed the "outrage" people demonstrate when they receive a speeding ticket.

We need to have more police enforcement in the Villages. It is a "city" of 70,000+ people.

[drdodge]

stop complaining
drd

[redwitch]

Jan, I think you're jinxed. I drive a lot every day in TV. Since arriving in September, I've had to slam on my brakes once. Other than that, no near misses, no golf carts jumping in front of me, everyone has stopped for stop signs. Some issues with yellow light jumpers but that's it. Actually, my near misses have been with pedestrians who think they can walk between parked cars/carts and just wander into the middle of the street.

[jeffy]

I totally agree with you Talk Host. I have many more near misses in my golf cart than my car. I believe that since there is little to no police enforcement of golf cart trails that people just do as they please. I also am stumped as to why people are in such a hurry here. People dont seem to understand that a collision in a golf cart at 20 mph would be much more damaging to your person than a crash at 40 mph in a car equiped with seat belts and air bags.

My personal pet peeves are : people passing on cart trails when the cart being passed is going 20mph (and there is on coming traffic); going around the large cart roundabout near laurel manor and 466 the wrong direction to save 3 seconds ; people cutting across parking lots with disregard to lined parking areas or carts that are driving in the proper areas ; stopping / parking on the cart paths to look at a map , sign a petition, etc

/
jeffy

[Talk Host]

stop complaining
drd


Talk about giving up social responsibility.

[Talk Host]

Jan, I think you're jinxed. I drive a lot every day in TV. Since arriving in September, I've had to slam on my brakes once. Other than that, no near misses, no golf carts jumping in front of me, everyone has stopped for stop signs. Some issues with yellow light jumpers but that's it. Actually, my near misses have been with pedestrians who think they can walk between parked cars/carts and just wander into the middle of the street.


Ya right! Nobody stops for stop signs.

[golfpro]

We're coming down for a visit. Thanks for the heads up.

[Russ_Boston]

Maybe it was because i was only there for one week OR

maybe my driving skills are still intact OR

maybe my eyes are still good BUT

I didn't notice one single thing out of the ordinary while driving around in my slow rented golf cart in TV in April. I was passed a lot but that was fine with me.

[Talk Host]

Calumet at Buena Vista (20 minute period) Click twice on start button.

1802810714911175365

[Peggy D]

Jan,

We did notice the lack of turn signals and not stopping for STOP signs when we were in TV last week. It happens here in Delawre too (not just in TV)

Stay alert!!

[chelsea24]

Jan that is a great and eye-opening video! :o I remember many decades ago when I was taking driving lessons. The instructor used to call that a "Hollywood" stop, when you just slow down but do not come to a full stop. We were not allowed to do that at all. I agree, slow down peeps! Where ya all hurrying to? :dontknow:

[swrinfla]

Jan:

I can't help but wonder whether you've shown your video to the Marion County Sheriff? Seems like he might post one of those infamous "red-light" cameras at the intersection, and recoup enough money to pay for it in one day's pictures!

SWR

[redwitch]

OMG! I'm truly stunned. As I said, I hadn't noticed it. In my neighborhood, we stop -- except for one guy who is truly an accident waiting to happen (I've seen his golf cart turn corners on 2 wheels a couple of times). When I've been driving around, people have been pretty good about stopping at stop signs. Signals are another thing -- they just seem to be too much effort for most people (in California, too).

I love the idea of showing the video to the Sheriff's Department. It might make an interesting wake up call to both the sheriff and to those getting tickets.

[njgranny]

I would agree about showing that to law enforcement. That's incredible, and I thought Jersey drivers were bad. ha, ha. Well, maybe they are originally "Jersey" drivers.

[ssw]

Please make video available to the Sheriff's Dept. They will do set up extra patrol's for that intersection. Maybe even unmarked auto. Also, call Massey's Pest Control and get their email address. Send video to them.

[Irish Rover]

Jan - I haven't signed on for a few days but I sure am glad that I did today. You are correct about near misses and responsibility. For those who haven't had to slam on their brakes but once - get off the computer and see the world. In Jan/Feb I saw two serious accidents with cars in roundabouts and two golf cart accidents. I believe one resulted in a fatality. Since everyone at TV is creeping up in years, this becomes a touchy subject - but the driving in TV is atrocious (cars & carts). Older people seem to feel empowered and giving the right of way is often forgotten. When you get 70,000 people over 55 and the average age is at whatever, it can really get ugly. Note some previous posts that say "I feel I can say and do whatever I want at my age". This attitude coupled with drivers who have limited eyesight, no drivers license, and bad coordination spells disaster.
Probably will **** off a few folks but so be it.

[Boomer]

In Jan/Feb I saw two serious accidents with cars in roundabouts...


Hey IR,

Roundabouts, huh? Is that what those things are?

I thought they were some burned out, dropped out traffic engineer's design for a kiss-your-own-behind keyhole better suited to the seventh circle of hell.

Or maybe some version of "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride" that was rejected by Disney.

Boomer

P. S. Mr. Boomer likes them. LIKES THEM!!!!

[Russ_Boston]

OK I'm going to be the voice of the 'common' man. Not once in that video was there any near miss or anything like that yet everyone is saying how shocking it is. Only once was there even a car coming across the road. Maybe it's because we tend to drive like that up here in MA but stopping for stopping sake is not the norm. Yeah, Yeah, I know it's the law but where in America do we come to complete stops on roads that have such clear visibility and you can see if anyone is coming.

Is this a real problem? Does anyone have the accident rates per thousand of population to show that TV driving is a real issue? I also found the rotaries to be very navigable when i was there but perhaps most of the snowbirds had flown home.

There are a lot of laws that get the casual treatment and I don't think writing tickets because your wheels don't come to a complete stop is ludicrous. Whoever shot the video needs to be spending more time on the golf course or other pursuit of happiness in their 'golden' years. Makes me wonder if there is some other motive behind these type of things.

Just my 2 cents from a driver with a 30+ year spotless record. (Hope I didn't just jinx myself!)

[drdodge]

russ

I agree

drd

[renos]

Russ agree with you 100%. That is an intersection with a very clear view of traffic in both directions. Have never had to slam on the brakes with someone pulling out in front of me when I was on Buena Vista.

[beady]

In part I agree with Jan. I have seen more accidents here in TV in the six months we have lived here than in many years of driving 12 miles each way to work ,over country roads, 2 lane highways and an interstate. I do not know why the folks here are prone to crashes but in TV I buckle up and drive very defensively.
On the cart paths I have not seen any problems.....yet!!!! I have an older slower golf cart and I can not travel as fast as some of our villagers, mostly men, probably late for a tee time!!!! I have been passed many times on the curvy paths north of Polo Ridge going up Buena Vista. Those carts passing me have no visibility ahead yet they shoot out past me anyway. By the way, I often pull over and let anxious drivers past but I have a right to the "road" and I can't be polite all the time. I'd never reach my destinaton >:( >:(

[Talk Host]

Russ agree with you 100%. That is an intersection with a very clear view of traffic in both directions. Have never had to slam on the brakes with someone pulling out in front of me when I was on Buena Vista.


There have been several serious accidents and many near misses at this intersection. There are black skid marks criss crossing the intersection much of the time.

[handieman]

To be a school bus driver in NYS, I have to take a road test every year. If I did that on a road test or someone reported with their cell phone that I rolled thru a stop sign, I would be asked to stay home the following day till the school district had time to retest me.
STOP does not mean YEILD, it means just that STOP. Your wheels must stop revolving, plain and simple. Sorry folks, I'm surprised the sheriffs Dept isn't fattening their budget with such devious driving.
Handie :joke:

[another Linda]

Here in Syracuse we call that a California stop.

[Rokinronda]

Russ, my hubby got a ticket for not coming to a complete stop last year at a set of double stop signs within 100 feet of each other with a clear view, in Clermont. Taught him a lesson. I had to laugh because it ruined his unblemished driving record. hehehe It takes 1 second to do a complete stop. I also have a perfect driving record of 35 years. (and I drive frequently!) I OBEY the rules of the road and know what is going on around me at all times. Who is behind me, and how close. Who is coming toward me and are they in control. The signs posted are usually there for a reason. Has a traffic study been done? Should the stop signs be on Buena Vista and a yield be on Calamut? Just wondering. We have a sloowwww golf cart and it suits us fine! We don't want a faster one!

[redwitch]

In California, it's a Hollywood stop.

Never did quite understand what was so hard about the concept of stopping. You take your foot of the gas pedal, gently put it on the brake pedal until your car quits moving; look in all necessary directions; then point your tires in the direction you want to go and go.

[KathieI]

Here in Syracuse we call that a California stop.

Linder, in Los Angeles, we call it a California stop too. Got a ticket for it when I first moved to Los Angeles, about 6 months after moving. Never got another!! Thank Goodness.

[chuckinca]

Here in Syracuse we call that a California stop.



Here in California we call that stopping or sometimes called a snow slide stop like they do in New York in the winter.

[Shirleevee]

Here on Staten Island we call it :edit: the Stop sign! Seriously, I live by a four way stop and very few stop........

Shirleevee

[Rokinronda]

I suppose blinkers are passe also? Boston was a scary place to drive! ??? I use them automatically, even with no one around.

[captain1202]

I agree with Russ_Boston. In Mass. all traffic laws are optional depending on the circumstances. No traffic? Don't stop. No cops in area...OK to speed.

Heck, even the State Cops in MA blow by you at 80 or 90 mph. I called them on that during a court case years ago where I was cited for following the cop at the outrageous speed of 75 mph on an open 65 mph highway. I stated to the judge that I was merely following the police car who I was certain wasn't speeding because he had no blue lights flashing and was just driving along. Certainly the official car would be observing the speed limit wouldn't he? The cop said he needed to travel faster than the speed limit to "observe traffic". He said he clocked me in his rear view mirror. The just said sorry, case dismissed.

One way to meet the FL requirements for wheels stopping at the intersection would be to approach at about 60mph then lock up the wheels, sliding through the stop sign and then continue on your way. ;D

Seriously, though, I am appalled at the totally clueless drivers here. I don't consider the stop signs a huge issue but just plain clueless driving and the road and roundabouts is crazy. I mean backing up in a roundabout? Entering from the right and cutting off oncoming traffic. It's all just too unbelievable. I'm a very experienced driver who used to do between 50-100k per yr and I'll take New York or Mass. any day over the crazy drivers here. Maybe it's the same special Villages Kool Aid that gets people to buy here.

Or maybe it's a midwest thing. Long straight stretches with no turns or stop signs. ???

[Russ_Boston]

Well stated Captain although I think the roundabouts in TV are absolutely necessary. Imagine if everyone one of them was replaced with a stop sign or light? The traffic in Jan, Feb, Mar would be horrendous.

As far as using blinkers, I say save the energy - only use them when they are needed :joke:

[redwitch]

And you guys wonder why Bostonians are ranked up there with Romans as truly bad drivers? sheesh!!!!!

[Talk Host]

. Yeah, Yeah, I know it's the law but where in America do we come to complete stops on roads that have such clear visibility and you can see if anyone is coming.



Does this also apply to red traffic signals. If we can see that nobody is coming must we come to a comple stop. If not, why not? If so, why so?

[Russ_Boston]

Jan, you know come to think of it I have taken a left at a red without thinking about it. Not correct or legal I know but heck the lanes were clear.

Seriously the one thing that bugs me is sitting at a red light for 2 minutes without one single car coming the other way(s). It's 2008, lets get technology working for us and install sensors at every light that lasts more than 20 seconds. Heck I'm on the road every day at 5 AM for work or golf and I'm the only one sitting at these lights. Type A northeast personality? Maybe.

[captain1202]

Russ...good point about the technology. It's extraordinarily wasteful of gas to be starting and stopping. Sensors could determine the traffic flow and adjust signals accordingly. This is done in many big cities these days. Also keeps the traffic moving better.

[fenian]

Why is the video gone? I thought it was great and wanted to show my husband. ::)

[Talk Host]

Why is the video gone? I thought it was great and wanted to show my husband. ::)


The video is still there.

[gfmucci]

Jan...if you're serious about wanting to do something about the problem, you will show the video to the Sheriff. Otherwise, I guess you're just using this forum to vent and/or increase clicks. I would guess that the GREAT majority of Villagers don't see your venting here, so there are few deaf ears for your venting to fall on, so to speak.

[Talk Host]

Jan...if you're serious about wanting to do something about the problem, you will show the video to the Sheriff. Otherwise, I guess you're just using this forum to vent and/or increase clicks. I would guess that the GREAT majority of Villagers don't see your venting here, so there are few deaf ears for your venting to fall on, so to speak.


I don't think you understand the power of a public forum such as this. The people get a lot accomplished when they speak pulbicly. Don't worry, the sheriff has seen this. In so far as increasing clicks, heaven forbid that I should do something that would increase the value of my forum.
I don't believe you know me very well. If you would like to know about the things that I know how to accomplish, ask Tony. He knows me better than anybody on earth.

[gfmucci]

I should have never doubted :redface:

[graciegirl]

[quote=captain1202 ]
I agree with Russ_Boston. In Mass. all traffic laws are optional depending on the circumstances. No traffic? Don't stop. No cops in area...OK to speed.

Heck, even the State Cops in MA blow by you at 80 or 90 mph. I called them on that during a court case years ago where I was cited for following the cop at the outrageous speed of 75 mph on an open 65 mph highway. I stated to the judge that I was merely following the police car who I was certain wasn't speeding because he had no blue lights flashing and was just driving along. Certainly the official car would be observing the speed limit wouldn't he? The cop said he needed to travel faster than the speed limit to "observe traffic". He said he clocked me in his rear view mirror. The just said sorry, case dismissed.

One way to meet the FL requirements for wheels stopping at the intersection would be to approach at about 60mph then lock up the wheels, sliding through the stop sign and then continue on your way. ;D

Seriously, though, I am appalled at the totally clueless drivers here. I don't consider the stop signs a huge issue but just plain clueless driving and the road and roundabouts is crazy. I mean backing up in a roundabout? Entering from the right and cutting off oncoming traffic. It's all just too unbelievable. I'm a very experienced driver who used to do between 50-100k per yr and I'll take New York or Mass. any day over the crazy drivers here. Maybe it's the same special Villages Kool Aid that gets people to buy here.

Or maybe it's a midwest thing. Long straight stretches with no turns or stop signs. ? quote"








You're kidding right???

A MIDWEST THING? Rules. Manners. Consideration for others versus selfishness and lack of patience. Traffic laws are laws.

GracieGirl. A proud Midwesterner.

[redwitch]

Gracie, you go girl! Heck, even most Californians understand that a stop sign means stop. Not slow down. Not coast. But STOP!! Signals are not only a courtesy but things of safety. It's about as hard to put on a turn signal (use a finger and push the lever up for right, down for left) as it is to stop. There's no excuse for not doing either.

[Russ_Boston]

If you put your blinkers on and there is no one around to see them do they still go on??? :joke:

[Russ_Boston]

Chill Gracie. I assume you didn't see the little joker icon on the end. Supposed to be a play on 'if a tree falls in the woods..."

Don't worry I use my blinkers (well, most of the time).

[graciegirl]

Chill Gracie. I assume you didn't see the little joker icon on the end. Supposed to be a play on 'if a tree falls in the woods..."

Don't worry I use my blinkers (well, most of the time).



I got it. Don't let this blonde hair fool ya. ;D