Counting Causes

[rubicon]

Statistic: " The National Safety Council estimated that in 2013 alone, 1.1 million crashes involved using a phone, and the US Department of Transportation counted more than 3,000 deaths and 400,000 injuries caused by distracted driving that same year." by Daniel Simons psychology professor University of Illinois and Christopher Chabris psychology professor Union College

Is a distracted driver the more likely cause of mishaps here with golf carts on multi-modal paths or something else?

[Sandtrap328]

Rarely do I see a driver of a golf cart talking on the cell phone. Almost always I see them pulled off onto the grass talking on the phone. I would guess for safety, ease of talking when stopped, and noise level.

I have seen quite a few cart drivers wearing headphones while driving. This is a big distraction as well as not being able to hear traffic around you.

So, Rubicon, I would say YES that some form of distraction, not paying attention to speed, maybe a little too much Happy Hour, and just plain careless are the main reasons for cart accidents.

[rubicon]

Rarely do I see a driver of a golf cart talking on the cell phone. Almost always I see them pulled off onto the grass talking on the phone. I would guess for safety, ease of talking when stopped, and noise level.

I have seen quite a few cart drivers wearing headphones while driving. This is a big distraction as well as not being able to hear traffic around you.

So, Rubicon, I would say YES that some form of distraction, not paying attention to speed, maybe a little too much Happy Hour, and just plain careless are the main reasons for cart accidents.

Hi Sandtrap: Yes I do see drivers who stop their carts when using their cell phones but a number of the stop right in the middle of a multi-modal path and/or diamond lane:D

A big distraction for those driving golf carts are viewing homes, etc in The Villages. On an interstate they refer to them as rubber neckers

[Jdmiata]

My two cents worth........this is a place inhabited by older people , some of whom have lost their driving skills due to age or a physical handicap of some sort. IMO that's what causes many accidents here.