Why are cars changing the rules of road for carts??

[jebartle]

I've observed MANY close calls, cars that allow carts to cross (even thou it is not their right-away) causing havoc behind them!....As a golf cart driver, I would prefer to wait my turn...I appreciate that cars are being kind BUT I think it is causing traffic problems. What is the solution?

[Chatbrat]

Just wave the cars on & be safe--when you tie with a car--you lose

[Average Guy]

I've observed MANY close calls, cars that allow carts to cross (even thou it is not their right-away) causing havoc behind them!....As a golf cart driver, I would prefer to wait my turn...I appreciate that cars are being kind BUT I think it is causing traffic problems. What is the solution?

What "havoc" are you referring to?

Yahoo has two definitions of "havoc":

Widespread destruction; devastation.

Disorder or chaos.


I have not witnessed a problem caused by drivers allowing cart drivers to pass in front of them at the gates. If there are cars behind them, it only delays them by approximately 5 seconds. Surely, no one is in such a hurry that they can't wait 5 seconds.

[NYGUY]

The problem with waving carts through (cars have the right of way)in order to be a nice guy or gal, the cart then waves for you to go instead. This goes back and forth for awhile until one decides to actually go, at which time the other one also decides to go and they go....:boom:....car drivers need to quit being nice guys or gals. If you want to be nice guys or gals, the next time at the bar, just buy a stranger a drink..:beer3:

[rjm1cc]

I've observed MANY close calls, cars that allow carts to cross (even thou it is not their right-away) causing havoc behind them!....As a golf cart driver, I would prefer to wait my turn...I appreciate that cars are being kind BUT I think it is causing traffic problems. What is the solution?
Yes. Best if the one with the right of way goes. The problem is there maybe other cars present and their driver probably can not see the other car drivers waving the carts on.
But if going ahead in a cart looks safe I do waive back to the Car driver and go. I think that is safer and less confusing for all.

[Villageswimmer]

When I'm driving my car I DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT to overrule traffic controls (I.e., stop signs, etc.) to be a nice guy. Nor do I have the right to direct traffic.

[looneycat]

When I'm driving my car I DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT to overrule traffic controls (I.e., stop signs, etc.) to be a nice guy. Nor do I have the right to direct traffic.

you are right, er.., pass it on..

[billethkid]

the problem is not just where the arts and cars meet. It extends back into the traffic circle or other accesses where it is expected the driver in front of you will continue on through only to be surprised by brake lights as they play nice nice to the golf carts....and the guy behind me and behing him and into the traffic circle.

I dislike when residents take on the task of traffic cop for their feel good factor instead of following the rules.

There is no assurance people know the rules of the road carts and cars alike.

[mtdjed]

Seems like I once heard that an operator of a car motioned a pedestrian to cross and was then taken to court when said person got injured. May not be true but I agree that drivers should not be traffic directors. Just be cautious.

[kcrazorbackfan]

The problem with waving carts through (cars have the right of way)in order to be a nice guy or gal, the cart then waves for you to go instead. This goes back and forth for awhile until one decides to actually go, at which time the other one also decides to go and they go....:boom:....car drivers need to quit being nice guys or gals. If you want to be nice guys or gals, the next time at the bar, just buy a stranger a drink..:beer3:

Well, I don't drink, and I'm not against anyone who does - until they drive, I don't go to bars - too many end of friendships and divorces caused by them; I'll just continue being nice to LEO's and members of the Armed Forces.

[Challenger]

When you have a right away- take it. I won't go unless there is an auto back up and a driver leaves space for alternating traffic.

[rjm1cc]

Seems like I once heard that an operator of a car motioned a pedestrian to cross and was then taken to court when said person got injured. May not be true but I agree that drivers should not be traffic directors. Just be cautious.

The reason would be that the injured person interpeted the drivers_ motion as saying it was safe to proceed. The driver was most likely saying he would yield to the injured person, but h
not that everyone else would. That is the problem with waving on Carts. The other drivers..

[Colts Fan]

Wow! If someone letting a cart cross creates havoc in your world, you really shouldn't venture beyond your driveway, because there are a whole lot more dangerous driving acts beyond those gates.

[JoMar]

Wow! If someone letting a cart cross creates havoc in your world, you really shouldn't venture beyond your driveway, because there are a whole lot more dangerous driving acts beyond those gates.

:agree: I will also allow carts to cross...especially if there is a car waiting for the gate to go up. As far as people behind me, I trust they know that when they see brake lights they will also stop and or slow down. I suspect that those that play the "havoc" card are either in a hurry and hate anyone to slow them down or believe that the rules, including the ones they make up, must always be followed.....until they don't.

[tomwed]

the problem is not just where the arts and cars meet. It extends back into the traffic circle or other accesses where it is expected the driver in front of you will continue on through only to be surprised by brake lights as they play nice nice to the golf carts....and the guy behind me and behing him and into the traffic circle.

I dislike when residents take on the task of traffic cop for their feel good factor instead of following the rules.

There is no assurance people know the rules of the road carts and cars alike.
For the time being, I don't have a cart. I do have a bike and car.
What are the rules?
I have been taking turns with the others at the crossroad as a driver and a biker doing what appears to be safest.

[Polar Bear]

I know people who let carts go first are just trying to be nice, and I won't condemn anyone for that. But overall it is simply more efficient and safe to follow the rule of the road...cars should take the right-of-way and carts should wait their turn.

[Mleeja]

Does not the traffic in the roundabout have the right of way? This would include golf carts. In this case I would allow the cart to proceed before I entered the roundabout. :mademyday:

[NYGUY]

Does not the traffic in the roundabout have the right of way? This would include golf carts. In this case I would allow the cart to proceed before I entered the roundabout. :mademyday:

The carts are not in the roundabout...:MOJE_whot:....we hope!!!

[bagboy]

Complaints about drivers endangering golf carts and being reckless. Now complaining about drivers trying real hard to be courteous to golf cart drivers....just a small wow...

[KittyKat]

I've observed MANY close calls, cars that allow carts to cross (even thou it is not their right-away) causing havoc behind them!....As a golf cart driver, I would prefer to wait my turn...I appreciate that cars are being kind BUT I think it is causing traffic problems. What is the solution?

I think the problem is renters & newbies. They just don't know the rules yet. If a car tries to waive me on I just waive them on and say "you have the right of way. We're not supposed to do that."

[rhood]

I heard somewhere that stopping and waving a cart across is considered as directing traffic which is covered by a statute and is illegal. I go when it is safe, not when someone waves me across.

[MikeV]

I know people who let carts go first are just trying to be nice, and I won't condemn anyone for that. But overall it is simply more efficient and safe to follow the rule of the road...cars should take the right-of-way and carts should wait their turn.

:bowdown: Totally agree.

[justjim]

The carts are not in the roundabout...:MOJE_whot:....we hope!!!

Not many carts in the roundabouts BUT Occasionaly you do have a Street Legal in the roundabouts----lookout for them!

[graciegirl]

I know people who let carts go first are just trying to be nice, and I won't condemn anyone for that. But overall it is simply more efficient and safe to follow the rule of the road...cars should take the right-of-way and carts should wait their turn.

Safe is right. When our kindness makes new people in carts think they have the right of way, we put them in grave danger.

[tomwed]

"Golf carts should always yield to other vehicular traffic in all cases."
I found this on a couple of sites.

I think it just boils down to common sense not right or wrong, legal or illegal.

I play Turtle Mound quite a bit. Using my car I have the right of way to cross the cart path to park my car. But I come to a complete stop because I'm not sure the cart drivers will come to a stop, even though there is a stop sign. I wait for eye contact and a wave or just for a big gap.

Sometimes the police are in the parking lot waiting [I suppose] to see if carts stop. I saw many carts roll through the stop sign but I never witnessed the police do anything but observe.

I think the south end of town is very different [traffic wise] than the sumter and SP areas during this season. So I don't experience the congestion others do.

[OCsun]

Here's the problem - what's the solution. Example of the traffic these days at both St. James gate and Sunset Point Gate.
St. James gate has traffic coming in through the gate which is heavy and the cars will not even wait for the gate to go back down before they swipe and go through the gate. The carts can barely make make a quick right or get across to the middle of the road where carts can stop. There, they find the traffic is continuious so they are stuck in the middle of the road unless someone waves them through. I understand that it is not a good idea to wave carts through but the traffic at that point is constant at certain times of the day.

Example - At times it is so heavy when we are in our car on the first street by the gate (Neptune), trying to make a left onto St. Charles we need to force our way into stopped traffic or make a right on Charles and go out another gate. The golf carts at these time ARE totally at the mercy of thr car drivers. It can be a real mess and is just plain dangerous for the golf cart drivers.
When driving a cart, I dread going past the Sunset Point Gate, because it is always busy too!
Just saying!

[graciegirl]

Here's the problem - what's the solution. Example of the traffic these days at both St. James gate and Sunset Point Gate.
St. James gate has traffic coming in through the gate which is heavy and the cars will not even wait for the gate to go back down before they swipe and go through the gate. The carts can barely make make a quick right or get across to the middle of the road where carts can stop. There, they find the traffic is continuious so they are stuck in the middle of the road unless someone waves them through. I understand that it is not a good idea to wave carts through but the traffic at that point is constant at certain times of the day.

Example - At times it is so heavy when we are in our car on the first street by the gate (Neptune), trying to make a left onto St. Charles we need to force our way into stopped traffic or make a right on Charles and go out another gate. The golf carts at these time ARE totally at the mercy of thr car drivers. It can be a real mess and is just plain dangerous for the golf cart drivers.
When driving a cart, I dread going past the Sunset Point Gate, because it is always busy too!
Just saying!


The solution will arrive in six weeks at the end of March when we don't have as many people here. I love snowbirds, I do. But this is the busiest time of the year.

[George Bieniaszek]

The solution will arrive in six weeks at the end of March when we don't have as many people here. I love snowbirds, I do. But this is the busiest time of the year.

I agree Gracie !! This is the time of the season where The Villages is at capacity with people and we all have to be extra vigilant in our driving.

Getting out of the house 5-10 minutes earlier to run errands or golf, etc. so that you don't have to rush would make your day a little less stressful and a little more enjoyable too :)

[OCsun]

Gracie, I agree with you and I love snowbirds too! Having snowbirds drive carts in these sticky situations is worrisome to me.

More than that, it worries me that if the number of houses currently built were fully occupied, some parts of The Villages would have infrastructure issues. Did the the traffic plans for the number of houses built take into consideration that they would only be fully occupied three months of the year? Won't all the new homes being built south of 466a and the new Fruitland park area, put even more strain on the current golf cart infrastructure which doesn't seem to be easily fixable?
I love people and truly feel, the more the merrier. I am just concerned for the safety of all!

[Bogie Shooter]

Gracie, I agree with you and I love snowbirds too! Having snowbirds drive carts in these sticky situations is worrisome to me.

More than that, it worries me that if the number of houses currently built where fully occupied, some parts of The Villages would have infrastructure issues. Did the the traffic plans for the number of houses built take into consideration that they would only be fully occupied three months of the year? Won't all the new homes being built south of 466a and the new Fruitland park area, put even more strain on the current golf cart infrastructure which doesn't seem to be easily fixable?
I love people and truly feel, the more the merrier. I am just concerned for the safety of all!

So how often or how many accidents have occurred at the St. James and Sunset Point Gate?

[Walter123]

I'm with Gracie, I love it when thy come and I love it when they leave!

[downeaster]

I think most agree automobile drivers who wave carts to pass in front of them are just trying to be polite. I try not to make eye contact and they soon drive on.

I have seen many instances with gates with two lanes (Morse gate at El Camino for instance) where the car in the right lane stops to let a cart cross but traffic in the left turn keeps moving. In these instances "Nice Guy" has essentially lured a cart into a very dangerous situation.

[jebartle]

The Morse Blvd. roundabout at the 27/441 end is really really dangerous because the cart path completely circles the round-about, consequently, there are two lanes in circle (which is normal with round-about) BUT and here comes the problem, you have two lanes that MIGHT turn, one waves the cart thru, the other has NO idea what has transpired and BOOOOOM.
Please please be careful out there and I suggest all golf carts just WAIT until ALL traffic has cleared.....I'm sure this was as clear as mud