Speeding Golf Carts???

[foxmeadow]

I feel compelled to write this posting as a result of Earl Donaldson's letter in the POA newsletter. Earl, you stated that speed is a factor in most golf cart accidents; then proceed to tell about folks turning left from the right hand lanes, disobeying signs etc. These are, of course, unsafe acts, but where did speeding play into these acts? You also spoke about pulling out from a tunnel into the main path, while you were stopped, carts passed at full speed. Are you one who forgetfully fails to stop? Or are you the one who stops at the bottom of the hill to let someone out without signaling those behind you? Are you the guy I followed going 14 mph, while holding 6 other carts up behind you? Then when I passed you, you hollered some obscentities at me. Forget about providing the State with more money. Or, do you work for them? As far as the accident with the golf cart you spoke of, I believe the driver was ticketed for DUI. Others accidents of note: making a left turn in fromt of a car without signaling; reaction to medication; turning a corner too sharply; hit another cart while talking on the cell phone.......Where the heck is all the speeding problems? My guess is, you just need to have something to complain about. Get a hobby and don't even think about "getting the ball rolling for registration". Sure there are a handful of folks who misuse our paths, but it doesn't make sense to penalize everyone. Out of the 30,000 carts you speak about, less than 1% might cause the problems. Quit trying to skew the facts for your vendetta. This seems to be just another malcontent POA member or someone whose cart is so old it can't go more than 14 mph. It's a well known fact, that you have to drive defensively in The Villages, golf cart or automobile. So try it Earl, before going off on your crusade to cost us more money.

[Talk Host]

Having not read the letter that you're are referring to, I will say this. I believe that the longer people live in The Villages, the "less" safely they drive their golf carts. I believe they take more chances, fail to observe traffic control signs more often, make unsafe turns and, yes, speed (a few souped up golf carts). Look at how many people drive with their left knee hanging part or all the way out of the cart cabin. The speed limit on the Morse Blvd bridge into Lake Sumter Landing is 10 miles per hour. Have you EVER seen anybody observe that speed limit on that teeny tiny cart path. I think people believe that carts have the right of way and that they are somehow immune from accidents.

[disney07]

I came across this previous post. Here is the Letter to the Editor link, "Golf Cart Speed" by E. Donaldson that FoxMeadow refers to
http://www.poa4us.org/bulletins_files/bulletin200810.html#article%207
I can't believe the writer's "ignorance of the law" he alluded to in one sentence, then goes on to say "law enforcement cannot ticket a golf cart"
He also go on to tell how he observed while exiting a tunnel, 2 golf carts go straight by full speed (no intent to turn into the tunnel) Next time you go down the ramp, look for the Stop Sign or the Required to Turn Sign..... there is none. They have the right away. You stop, you wait, you proceed from the tunnel.

His solutions. More Government, and our money to pay for it. Take your own advice, "this person's logic that would be ridiculous" Comments from FoxMeadow pointed out the reality of previous accidents in TV, while you contort conditions to support your LOGIC.

My cart only goes 19-20 mph, and I'm happy without your ideas.

[Ooper]

I agree... let's leave things as they are. In respect to tunnel ramps... many of the tunnels are designed so the driver has to go down and up the ramp in order to go straight. The person in the tunnel is instructed to stop. So if there is a collision, it would be the driver in the tunnel who is at fault. We are going to have enough increase in government in the new administration, let's not add more!

[Peachie]

Earl has observed ALL golf carts in The Villages have one speed, wide open? Where is he driving and at what speed?

We have a speedometer installed on our golf cart at our expense to insure we drive within the allowable speed limit and quite often go slower than that speed due to carts ahead of us moving at a reasonable but not quite the same speed. We haven't observed all The Villager's driving around like lunatics, to the contrary... we have witnessed most people driving with care and safely.

We license automobiles in this country, require driving instruction, driver's testing, eye exams, seat belts must be worn, police the highways and accidents continue to occur. It's difficult to eradicate the "human error" factor. :police:

We vote "NO" to his proposal.

[graciegirl]

Good night shirt!!!! Is anything coming out of that danged POA bulletin EVER positive?

I have only been here long enough to receive two of them, but they soon got filed in the circular file.

I know that the POA has accomplished many good things and they are there to watch out for us, but what they need is a NEW editor.

There is a way to present facts in a way that is not ranting.

I know this was a letter to the editor but it is in the same tone as the POA newsletter.

[GMONEY]

Having not read the letter that you're are referring to, I will say this. I believe that the longer people live in The Villages, the "less" safely they drive their golf carts. I believe they take more chances, fail to observe traffic control signs more often, make unsafe turns and, yes, speed (a few souped up golf carts). Look at how many people drive with their left knee hanging part or all the way out of the cart cabin. The speed limit on the Morse Blvd bridge into Lake Sumter Landing is 10 miles per hour. Have you EVER seen anybody observe that speed limit on that teeny tiny cart path. I think people believe that carts have the right of way and that they are somehow immune from accidents.

I think your correct here. I ride a bike all the time, i have computer that tells my speed. Last weekend I decided to cross that bridge on the cart path. i was doing 18 mph across and was being tailgated by a golf cart. Half way across i went up to 20. I let the Gent pass and he gave me a dirty look. So he took the path going along 466 toward Buena Vista. I went back by him and gave him the look. Riding a bike you get to see all kinds of crazy moves cars and carts make. And believe me, there are alot of them.

[jtdraig]

Having been here for three years now, I don't really agree that the longer people are here, the less safely they drive. I am cautious now because I have seen so much stupidity by golf cart drivers. I drive my golf cart as defensively as I drive my own car. There's always that ten percent barf who think that life owes them a living and who drive crazy but I think most who have been here for a while have decided that they don't want to die on in a golf cart so drive accordingly.

[Barefoot]

Let's face it, TV is a retirement community. And as we age, our reflexes aren't as fast, and we seem to be less focused on what is happening around us. Whenever I go out, whether I'm using the cart or driving the car, I inevitably see some drivers making seriously dangerous moves.

It's just something you learn to live with in TV. It's always the other guy making the errors, never us. ;)

Driving VERY defensively in TV in the key. Licensing carts is NOT the answer.

[patfinn]

I would just like to add that it doesn't matter whether you are speeding, going too slow or not paying attention. just as is the case with an automobile, a golf cart is not a toy. It can cause serious injury and should be treated with respect. I was run over from behind last April while walking to my car in Spanish Springs. I will never walk without pain again nor can I walk anything more than a short distance.

[Barefoot]

I would just like to add that it doesn't matter whether you are speeding, going too slow or not paying attention. just as is the case with an automobile, a golf cart is not a toy. It can cause serious injury and should be treated with respect. I was run over from behind last April while walking to my car in Spanish Springs. I will never walk without pain again nor can I walk anything more than a short distance.

That is a terrible story, Pat, and I am so sorry for your pain.

It is a timely reminder to us all to slow down and pay attention!