Dear Thoughtless Selfish Driver

[rubicon]

At 8:35 AM yesterday I placed my left mechanical signal on looked back and proceeded to move from the diamond lane to the driving lane approaching the intersection of St Charles and Bailey Trail with the intent of proceeding to the left turning lane.

I had successfully executed this merger as my golf cart was completely in the driving lane when a driver accelerated going around my left and partially onto the oncoming lane for the expressed purpose of being in the front of my vehicle. This vehicle continued straight to the left turning lane to give you some sense of how far the driver went left to past me. The driver had both notice (mechanical turn signal) and opportunity (time)to hold back but chose to ignore both and I suspect because of impatience?

I do not know if this driver is a member of this forum but post here to provide notice to this driver and to alert all members of this situation because this seems to be too common an occurrence.

So with due diligence and dispatch I am searching for the driver of a champagne Lexus Florida plate # BJV V42. The purpose of my search is to ask you face to face why you believe that your need to save a fraction of a second of your time was worth the risk of human life and property?

I also want to ask if you view golf carts as some sort of non-human thing that offers you only annoyance and inconvenience?

[fred53]

Or perhaps it was an emergency. You wouldn't know so your rant might actually be misplaced. I do sympathize with you, but also understand that with this many elderly in one place things like this are unfortunately common place. I have had many instances where golf carts cut me off because the driver was either not looking, forgot they were the ones that had to merge or just plain turds(see 'entitled').

So it behooves one to consider the many other reasons for an action other than the one you cite.

[golfing eagles]

Or perhaps it was an emergency. You wouldn't know so your rant might actually be misplaced. I do sympathize with you, but also understand that with this many elderly in one place things like this are unfortunately common place. I have had many instances where golf carts cut me off because the driver was either not looking, forgot they were the ones that had to merge or just plain turds(see 'entitled').

So it behooves one to consider the many other reasons for an action other than the one you cite.

I'm with Ruby on this one. The chances of this being an "emergency" are about 1/1000. The elderly tend to be overcautious if anything, this was a deliberate accelerate and pass move, which also eliminates not looking or merging error, since they intentionally moved left, even into oncoming lane. My vote is just plain turd. At least the vehicle description and plate # narrows this down from hundreds of turds to just one.

[ColdNoMore]

Or perhaps it was an emergency. You wouldn't know so your rant might actually be misplaced. I do sympathize with you, but also understand that with this many elderly in one place things like this are unfortunately common place. I have had many instances where golf carts cut me off because the driver was either not looking, forgot they were the ones that had to merge or just plain turds(see 'entitled').

So it behooves one to consider the many other reasons for an action other than the one you cite.

Excellent points. :thumbup:

And no, I don't drive that color of Lexus. :D


In regards to those who truly are jerks though, I have quit waiting until the last minute to merge.

If there is an opening, even 100 yards (strong lob wedge ;) ) short of the end of the designated cart/bike lane...I will get over in the car lane.

I have found it to be a lot safer than waiting until the last minute.

[golfing eagles]

Excellent points. :thumbup:

And no, I don't drive that color of Lexus. :D


In regards to those who truly are jerks though, I have quit waiting until the last minute to merge.

If there is an opening, even 100 yards (strong lob wedge ;) ) short of the end of the designated cart/bike lane...I will get over in the car lane.

I have found it to be a lot safer than waiting until the last minute.

I only get 95 yds from a strong lob wedge. But it is a little over 60 degrees, what wedge do you play????:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[ColdNoMore]

I only get 95 yds from a strong lob wedge. But it is a little over 60 degrees, what wedge do you play????:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

68 degree (bent from 64) Vokey. :D

[golfing eagles]

68 degree Vokey. :D

:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl: 62 is the highest loft for Vokey; Mickelson's 64 is a custom job. I have a 90 degree lob wedge for the purpose of hitting myself in the head after a bad drive

[ColdNoMore]

:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl: 62 is the highest loft for Vokey; Mickelson's 64 is a custom job.

Wrong. :D

Titleist Vokey SM4 Wedges: Editor Review | GolfWRX (http://www.golfwrx.com/22348/titleist-vokey-sm4-review/)

Vokey Spin Milled SM4 wedges offer a large variety of off-the-shelf lofts ranging from 46 to 64 degrees in two-degree increments, with as many as three different sole grinds for each model.

However, you're partially correct...Vokey quit making the 64 and now only offers up to a 62.



I have a 90 degree lob wedge for the purpose of hitting myself in the head after a bad drive
All BS'ing aside, I have three 60 deg. wedges in my garage....and only have my new SM6 54 M grind in the bag.

I can't even hit my head with the 60's. :1rotfl: :1rotfl:

[golfing eagles]

I can't even hit my head with the 60's. :1rotfl: :1rotfl:

Try opening the face, swing out to in, and lunge your head forward on the downswing:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[CFrance]

this is the point where the moderator comes on and says, "The original post was about some jackwagon swerving around Rubi to get into the turning lane. Please stay on topic!"

[ColdNoMore]

this is the point where the moderator comes on and says, "The original post was about some jackwagon swerving around Rubi to get into the turning lane. Please stay on topic!"

Sorry Ma'am. :o

[CFrance]

Just trying to be funny... early in the morning. (For me, anyway.)

[ColdNoMore]

Just trying to be funny... early in the morning. (For me, anyway.)

:thumbup:

[golfing eagles]

this is the point where the moderator comes on and says, "The original post was about some jackwagon swerving around Rubi to get into the turning lane. Please stay on topic!"

Just trying to be funny... early in the morning. (For me, anyway.)

Could be on topic---perhaps the "turd", as he approached Ruby's cart, saw an old 64 degree or new 62 degree Vokey wedge and swerved left to avoid damaging a perfectly good lob wedge. This would therefore be a very dedicated golfer who put equipment value above life and limb...... Nah, let's just stick with the turd theory:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[CFrance]

Could be on topic---perhaps the "turd", as he approached Ruby's cart, saw an old 64 degree or new 62 degree Vokey wedge and swerved left to avoid damaging a perfectly good lob wedge. This would therefore be a very dedicated golfer who put equipment value above life and limb...... Nah, let's just stick with the turd theory:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:
That works for me!

[Happinow]

Excellent points. :thumbup:

And no, I don't drive that color of Lexus. :D


In regards to those who truly are jerks though, I have quit waiting until the last minute to merge.

If there is an opening, even 100 yards (strong lob wedge ;) ) short of the end of the designated cart/bike lane...I will get over in the car lane.

I have found it to be a lot safer than waiting until the last minute.

I agree. I don't wait until the end of the merge lane to merge either....easpecially this time of year. It is more dangerous for a golf cart to be stopped at the end of a merge lane waiting to merge than to merge a bit early and keep the flow of traffic going.

[Taltarzac725]

At 8:35 AM yesterday I placed my left mechanical signal on looked back and proceeded to move from the diamond lane to the driving lane approaching the intersection of St Charles and Bailey Trail with the intent of proceeding to the left turning lane.

I had successfully executed this merger as my golf cart was completely in the driving lane when a driver accelerated going around my left and partially onto the oncoming lane for the expressed purpose of being in the front of my vehicle. This vehicle continued straight to the left turning lane to give you some sense of how far the driver went left to past me. The driver had both notice (mechanical turn signal) and opportunity (time)to hold back but chose to ignore both and I suspect because of impatience?

I do not know if this driver is a member of this forum but post here to provide notice to this driver and to alert all members of this situation because this seems to be too common an occurrence.

So with due diligence and dispatch I am searching for the driver of a champagne Lexus Florida plate # BJV V42. The purpose of my search is to ask you face to face why you believe that your need to save a fraction of a second of your time was worth the risk of human life and property?

I also want to ask if you view golf carts as some sort of non-human thing that offers you only annoyance and inconvenience?



Did you get a look at the driver? Could be someone from out-of-town with a relative's car? Lost of visitors from many other places here now.

[golfing eagles]

Did you get a look at the driver? Could be someone from out-of-town with a relative's car? Lost of visitors from many other places here now.

I wish I was there, Tal. Since I've memorized the faces of all 120,000 Villagers, it would be easy for me to spot a visitor:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[MrGolf]

I am still trying to figure out how to hit a bent 68 degree lob wedge 100 yards. I have a couple of 64 degree wedges that I couldn't hit a hundred downhill down wind on an asphalt roadway.

[Henryk]

At 8:35 AM yesterday I placed my left mechanical signal on looked back and proceeded to move from the diamond lane to the driving lane approaching the intersection of St Charles and Bailey Trail with the intent of proceeding to the left turning lane.

I had successfully executed this merger as my golf cart was completely in the driving lane when a driver accelerated going around my left and partially onto the oncoming lane for the expressed purpose of being in the front of my vehicle. This vehicle continued straight to the left turning lane to give you some sense of how far the driver went left to past me. The driver had both notice (mechanical turn signal) and opportunity (time)to hold back but chose to ignore both and I suspect because of impatience?

I do not know if this driver is a member of this forum but post here to provide notice to this driver and to alert all members of this situation because this seems to be too common an occurrence.

So with due diligence and dispatch I am searching for the driver of a champagne Lexus Florida plate # BJV V42. The purpose of my search is to ask you face to face why you believe that your need to save a fraction of a second of your time was worth the risk of human life and property?

I also want to ask if you view golf carts as some sort of non-human thing that offers you only annoyance and inconvenience?



What a jerk. Dangerous, too. I, for one, am delighted you got a plate number.

[golfing eagles]

I am still trying to figure out how to hit a bent 68 degree lob wedge 100 yards. I have a couple of 64 degree wedges that I couldn't hit a hundred downhill down wind on an asphalt roadway.

Not a problem, I once bladed one about 220 yds. Not a good result from 80 yds. out:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[ColdNoMore]

I am still trying to figure out how to hit a bent 68 degree lob wedge 100 yards. I have a couple of 64 degree wedges that I couldn't hit a hundred downhill down wind on an asphalt roadway.

OK, I admit I might have been exaggerating a bit. :D

Given the state of things recently...I thought that was the new norm. :shrug:

I can really only get 97 yards from my 68 degree wedge. :1rotfl:

[Taltarzac725]

I wish I was there, Tal. Since I've memorized the faces of all 120,000 Villagers, it would be easy for me to spot a visitor:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

I only have met maybe 360 or so of them in the 11.5 years we have been here. And most of these were people with dogs and I usually pay more attention the dogs than the people.

There were two lovely girls in a golf cart yesterday on Churchill Downs and Lynnhaven at the corner. They could not been older than 22 or so. Not hard to tell 22 from 72 year olds most of the time. Even in Hollywood.

This is from Wikipedia. Not sure if it is right. But there seems to be an awful lot more Villagers than when we moved here in late June of 2005.

The Villages is a census-designated place in Sumter County, Florida, United States. It shares its name with a broader master-planned age-restricted community that spreads into portions of Lake and Marion counties. Wikipedia
Area: 5.56 mi²
Elevation: 75′
Population: 157,000 (2016)
Area code: 352
Neighborhoods: Cottages at Summerchase, Villa St. Simons, More

[MrGolf]

Ok so to end my story, Golfing Eagles and I, with a couple of bad arms and two goo ones between us have been practicing our knockdown shots into this heavy Central Fl breeze. Will let you know of our progress as we enter the new year.

[ColdNoMore]

Ok so to end my story, Golfing Eagles and I, with a couple of bad arms and two goo ones between us have been practicing our knockdown shots into this heavy Central Fl breeze. Will let you know of our progress as we enter the new year.

Ball off of back heel, hands well ahead of ball, short back-swing and follow through finish to mirror impact position.

Nuttin to it. :D

[2BNTV]

At 8:35 AM yesterday I placed my left mechanical signal on looked back and proceeded to move from the diamond lane to the driving lane approaching the intersection of St Charles and Bailey Trail with the intent of proceeding to the left turning lane.

I had successfully executed this merger as my golf cart was completely in the driving lane when a driver accelerated going around my left and partially onto the oncoming lane for the expressed purpose of being in the front of my vehicle. This vehicle continued straight to the left turning lane to give you some sense of how far the driver went left to past me. The driver had both notice (mechanical turn signal) and opportunity (time)to hold back but chose to ignore both and I suspect because of impatience?

I do not know if this driver is a member of this forum but post here to provide notice to this driver and to alert all members of this situation because this seems to be too common an occurrence.

So with due diligence and dispatch I am searching for the driver of a champagne Lexus Florida plate # BJV V42. The purpose of my search is to ask you face to face why you believe that your need to save a fraction of a second of your time was worth the risk of human life and property?

I also want to ask if you view golf carts as some sort of non-human thing that offers you only annoyance and inconvenience?



Rubicon:

Sorry this happened to you. This time of the year I try to be extra careful as there are more cars on the road.

I don't even try anymore to understand people who feel to need to be rude and in this case, dangerous. I have noticed there are some people who have anger issues.

Maybe you could report the license plate to the police to be on the lookout for this person, to see if there is a pattern?

Be careful out there!

BTW - He/she doesn't know or give a darn about you. It's all about them. Just ask them and they will tell you. :(

[dbussone]

I wish I was there, Tal. Since I've memorized the faces of all 120,000 Villagers, it would be easy for me to spot a visitor:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:



You are 10,000 residents short. No wonder you missed the visitor.

Oops better get myself back on track before CFrance sees this.

[rubicon]

I agree. I don't wait until the end of the merge lane to merge either....easpecially this time of year. It is more dangerous for a golf cart to be stopped at the end of a merge lane waiting to merge than to merge a bit early and keep the flow of traffic going.

Happinow: that is my practice also and for the same reason. Well it worked well up until Monday. In this particular case it seems to have given the driver more incentive because he had more lead time in which to accelerate and more time to break at the light.

I am not prone to embellishments nor easily rattled. I mean I didn't say this driver almost killed me ..but it was a very close call.

I attempted to explain the circumstances of this event to eliminate some of the "well perhaps it was this or that"...but when a driver moves as far left and as fast as this one did there is little question left. I'm not angry at the driver but I really want to know why that fraction of a second was so important.

I shared my tale to remind members that this situation is common here so please proceed with care

[golfing eagles]

You are 10,000 residents short. No wonder you missed the visitor.

Oops better get myself back on track before CFrance sees this.

I wasn't counting anyone in hospital administration:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

But back on topic, just got home and watched at least 5 drivers go 270 (left turn) in a RB in the RIGHT (outside) lane. Sooner or later, they're going to get a surprise

[Boudicca]

Rubicon, I had a similar experience recently on Hillsboro. With no car traffic behind my cart I merged from the cart lane and was driving along in the merged road, when a large white truck roared up and around me into the oncoming traffic lane and continued on his way at a high rate of speed. The loud noise from the truck's faulty muffler and sudden appearance of the vehicle was very unnerving. I am a very careful cart driver and continually check my mirrors for oncoming rear traffic. That truck was too impatient to wait for me to merge right again. I was so unnerved I now drive a long way to accomplish my cart driving on dedicated paths. I will be safer and live longer (with the rare exception of run away vehicles)

[spring_chicken]

I still don't understand why people in golf carts believe that all they have to do is turn on their blinker, throw out their hand, and the whole world stops for them. You do NOT have the right of way and it is not the job of cars to slam on their brakes because you throw out your hand.

[CFrance]

You are 10,000 residents short. No wonder you missed the visitor.

Oops better get myself back on track before CFrance sees this.
BUSTED!

But as long as we're off topic, how much does Harry weigh?

[Fredster]

I still don't understand why people in golf carts believe that all they have to do is turn on their blinker, throw out their hand, and the whole world stops for them. You do NOT have the right of way and it is not the job of cars to slam on their brakes because you throw out your hand.

I agree with that, the other day I was driving my car and was nearly side by side on the left of a cart,
when all of a sudden the cart driver puts his left turn on and sticks out is arm signaling a left turn.
I really didn't have enough time to apply the brakes,
so I passed him, and then was treated to him hollering an expletive at me!
No one is perfect whether they are driving a car or cart, even though they might think otherwise!

[dbussone]

BUSTED!

But as long as we're off topic, how much does Harry weigh?



15.9 pounds & he's all muscle

[rubicon]

I still don't understand why people in golf carts believe that all they have to do is turn on their blinker, throw out their hand, and the whole world stops for them. You do NOT have the right of way and it is not the job of cars to slam on their brakes because you throw out your hand.

Au contraire: you might want to brush up on the "Rules of the Road

And to answer you specifically what I expect is that after I have made a proper look out, placed my turn signal on prior to my intended merger and completed my merger maneuver that no, I would not expect the whole world to stop, just the driver behind me . What is it you don't get about a driver intentionally accelerating and making a left pass around a cart in a childish and irresponsible manner?

By the way do you happen to drive a champagne Lexus Florida plate # BJV V42?

[Polar Bear]

I still don't understand why people in golf carts believe that all they have to do is turn on their blinker, throw out their hand, and the whole world stops for them. You do NOT have the right of way and it is not the job of cars to slam on their brakes because you throw out your hand.
Au contraire: you might want to brush up on the "Rules of the Road"

And to answer you specifically what I expect is that after I have made a proper look out, placed my turn signal on prior to my intended merger and completed my merger maneuver that no, I would not expect the whole world to stop, just the driver behind me . What is it you don't get about a driver intentionally accelerating and making a left pass around a cart in a childish and irresponsible manner?...
Sorry, rubicon, but everything spring_chicken said is exactly right. Chicken knows the "Rules of the Road". You're the one who should brush up.

All the proper look outs, turn signals, hand signals, whatever else, do not eliminate the need for the left turner to identify an adequate gap. If there is not an adequate gap, that "driver behind me" is NOT obligated to stop for you. The gap is what matters, not just the fact that a car might be a short distance behind you.

Before you huff and puff at me, if the driver behind you is really "intentionally accelerating and making a left pass around a cart in a childish and irresponsible manner", then of course he is in the wrong. But that doesn't change the fact that spring_chicken was right...you do not automatically have the right-of-way just because you've signaled your intentions and a car may be a short distance behind you. There's where that little matter of there being a proper opening for your maneuver comes into play.

[CFrance]

There are two things to do if someone starts to make a left-hand turn in front of you... You can slam on the brakes and hope you don't rear-end him, or you can speed up and go around him if there is no oncoming car and you think the chances of hitting him are less by doing that. Outrun the danger, so to speak.

[rubicon]

Sorry, rubicon, but everything spring_chicken said is exactly right. Chicken knows the "Rules of the Road". You're the one who should brush up.

All the proper look outs, turn signals, hand signals, whatever else, do not eliminate the need for the left turner to identify an adequate gap. If there is not an adequate gap, that "driver behind me" is NOT obligated to stop for you. The gap is what matters, not just the fact that a car might be a short distance behind you.

Before you huff and puff at me, if the driver behind you is really "intentionally accelerating and making a left pass around a cart in a childish and irresponsible manner", then of course he is in the wrong. But that doesn't change the fact that spring_chicken was right...you do not automatically have the right-of-way just because you've signaled your intentions and a car may be a short distance behind you. There's where that little matter of there being a proper opening for your maneuver comes into play.

Nay sayer, I was not making a left turn I was merging from the diamond lane , did so completely and the driver accelerated around me. Would you suggest that every golf cart utilizing a diamond lane and coming to its end such as at a stop light or village gate sit in the diamond lane until all of the traffic on said street has left. if so there is going to be a major bottleneck on all diamond lanes in TV. Again review the rules of the road and put your eyes down and notice the markings on diamond lanes they cry out for merging

I knew it would risk the rebuke and misjudgments of some posters its why I went to the trouble of detailing the event. In the long run its a non-event and was primarily to remind residents that there are some auto drivers here who simply do not understand that a driver of a golf cart is not a second class citizen and golf carts are defined as a vehicle as are bicycles and subjected to the same rules of the road as cars and the courtesies afforded thereof. Geezzz

[Villageswimmer]

Sorry, rubicon, but everything spring_chicken said is exactly right. Chicken knows the "Rules of the Road". You're the one who should brush up.

All the proper look outs, turn signals, hand signals, whatever else, do not eliminate the need for the left turner to identify an adequate gap. If there is not an adequate gap, that "driver behind me" is NOT obligated to stop for you. The gap is what matters, not just the fact that a car might be a short distance behind you.

Before you huff and puff at me, if the driver behind you is really "intentionally accelerating and making a left pass around a cart in a childish and irresponsible manner", then of course he is in the wrong. But that doesn't change the fact that spring_chicken was right...you do not automatically have the right-of-way just because you've signaled your intentions and a car may be a short distance behind you. There's where that little matter of there being a proper opening for your maneuver comes into play.


Agree. I see this often where the cart driver seems distracted and suddenly remembers he wants to turn left and doesn't allow for a gap in traffic. When this happens, the cart driver needs to stop and wait for an opening. Common courtesy and safety.

[rubicon]

I agree with that, the other day I was driving my car and was nearly side by side on the left of a cart,
when all of a sudden the cart driver puts his left turn on and sticks out is arm signaling a left turn.
I really didn't have enough time to apply the brakes,
so I passed him, and then was treated to him hollering an expletive at me!
No one is perfect whether they are driving a car or cart, even though they might think otherwise!

As you describe you are right. However the appreciable difference in my case is that I was completely in the driving lane

[rubicon]

There are two things to do if someone starts to make a left-hand turn in front of you... You can slam on the brakes and hope you don't rear-end him, or you can speed up and go around him if there is no oncoming car and you think the chances of hitting him are less by doing that. Outrun the danger, so to speak.

Hi CFrances: a vehicle has the obligation to stay a safe distance from the vehicle in front of him/her. If some one is making a left hand turn then the vehicle in the back has the onus of responsibility. I recall as a kid investigating an accident wherein our insured rear ended a car. I visited with her to estimate the damage on her vehicle and she couldn't get her mind around the fact that she was at fault. she kept saying but he stopped right in front of me. Yes he did there was a stop light.

In my case we are not talking about a left turn but a merger. I did what the law required and I made it to the driving lane when the driver behind me pulled to the left into the oncoming lane to pass. We have two vehicles moving at the same time so if I had allowed sufficient time to reach my destination it begs the question what was this other driver doing? was this other driver distracted going too fast, etc

What I found with this post is that ugly term confirmation bias that I admonished many employee to take out of their equation when investigating

I pray not another resident viewing this thread is faced with the same sort of circumstance that prompted me to share

Personal Best Regards:

[dillywho]

Sorry, rubicon, but everything spring_chicken said is exactly right. Chicken knows the "Rules of the Road". You're the one who should brush up.

All the proper look outs, turn signals, hand signals, whatever else, do not eliminate the need for the left turner to identify an adequate gap. If there is not an adequate gap, that "driver behind me" is NOT obligated to stop for you. The gap is what matters, not just the fact that a car might be a short distance behind you.

Before you huff and puff at me, if the driver behind you is really "intentionally accelerating and making a left pass around a cart in a childish and irresponsible manner", then of course he is in the wrong. But that doesn't change the fact that spring_chicken was right...you do not automatically have the right-of-way just because you've signaled your intentions and a car may be a short distance behind you. There's where that little matter of there being a proper opening for your maneuver comes into play.

Looks like the key here is that Rubicon was already out of the diamond lane and merged in with the left turn traffic. This driver was definitely at fault for several reasons, as has been pointed out. A couple of other factors come into play: #1) Speed of the driver even prior to accelerating and #2) IF the driver was paying attention, it is POSTED at a reasonable distance back that carts are to merge with traffic. Car drivers should be expecting them to do exactly that. Merge does not mean to stop and wait for all traffic to pass; it means the same on the highways and drivers are expected to move over when possible to allow for merging or to even slow their speed.

[rubicon]

Looks like the key here is that Rubicon was already out of the diamond lane and merged in with the left turn traffic. This driver was definitely at fault for several reasons, as has been pointed out. A couple of other factors come into play: #1) Speed of the driver even prior to accelerating and #2) IF the driver was paying attention, it is POSTED at a reasonable distance back that carts are to merge with traffic. Car drivers should be expecting them to do exactly that. Merge does not mean to stop and wait for all traffic to pass; it means the same on the highways and drivers are expected to move over when possible to allow for merging or to even slow their speed.

Thank you dillywho,

There are an appreciable number of hanging judges on this thread.:D


Re your edit signature....your Dad was a very wise man.

[Polar Bear]

Looks like the key here is that Rubicon was already out of the diamond lane and merged in with the left turn traffic. This driver was definitely at fault for several reasons, as has been pointed out. A couple of other factors come into play: #1) Speed of the driver even prior to accelerating and #2) IF the driver was paying attention, it is POSTED at a reasonable distance back that carts are to merge with traffic. Car drivers should be expecting them to do exactly that. Merge does not mean to stop and wait for all traffic to pass; it means the same on the highways and drivers are expected to move over when possible to allow for merging or to even slow their speed.
I have little doubt that the auto driver is at fault. For one thing because I trust Rubicon and his take on the situation.

But there is plenty of talk here that sounds like no matter what, if the car is any distance behind the cart traveling at any speed, then the cart has the right-of-way. That is simply not the case.

Yes, there are signs showing the merge is approaching. But just like on a highway, the primary (not full) responsibility is on the driver in the lane that is being terminated to adjust speed and find an appropriate gap for a merge...not to just signal and move left.

It's somewhat similar to a right turn on red. Just because a vehicle approaching your intersection is to your left does not automatically mean you have the right to turn in front of it. The gap must be enough to allow you to enter the lane and reach a reasonable speed without requiring the approaching vehicle to make any extreme or evasive maneuvers.

You're correct..."merge does not mean to stop and wait for all traffic to pass". But it's just as true that merge does not mean you can just signal and go.

[rubicon]

I have little doubt that the auto driver is at fault. For one thing because I trust Rubicon and his take on the situation.

But there is plenty of talk here that sounds like no matter what, if the car is any distance behind the cart traveling at any speed, then the cart has the right-of-way. That is simply not the case.

Yes, there are signs showing the merge is approaching. But just like on a highway, the primary (not full) responsibility is on the driver in the lane that is being terminated to adjust speed and find an appropriate gap for a merge...not to just signal and move left.

It's somewhat similar to a right turn on red. Just because a vehicle approaching your intersection is to your left does not automatically mean you have the right to turn in front of it. The gap must be enough to allow you to enter the lane and reach a reasonable speed without requiring the approaching vehicle to make any extreme or evasive maneuvers.

You're correct..."merge does not mean to stop and wait for all traffic to pass". But it's just as true that merge does not mean you can just signal and go.

Polar Bear

what you share "depends" On any road in any city or state the vehicle overtaking another vehicle on the left has the primary responsibility. A second situation is when a driver is backing up.
I believe you will find that most cops will tell you with both situations the drive over taking and /or backing has the greater share of responsibility.

In The Villages our streets are designed with additional lanes called diamond lanes and used primarily by golf carts. Everyone of these diamond lanes has markings to indicate merging with auto traffic at stop lights and at village gates.

Now we come to the "depends"as expressed above. the depends , depends on the position of the vehicles involved. In my situation I was the lead vehicle and properly signaled looked merged and completed my merge when overtaken. Contrast that to the poster who stated he was side by side with a golf cart when the driver of the cart began to merge from the diamond lane.

when it comes to fault most accidents involve contributory negligence, less so with backing and overtaking which are about absolute

I have certainly been guilty of some mistakes while driving and when I have motioned to the opposing driver my mea culpa.

[Polar Bear]

Polar Bear

what you share "depends" On any road in any city or state the vehicle overtaking another vehicle on the left has the primary responsibility. A second situation is when a driver is backing up.
I believe you will find that most cops will tell you with both situations the drive over taking and /or backing has the greater share of responsibility.

In The Villages our streets are designed with additional lanes called diamond lanes and used primarily by golf carts. Everyone of these diamond lanes has markings to indicate merging with auto traffic at stop lights and at village gates.

Now we come to the "depends"as expressed above. the depends , depends on the position of the vehicles involved. In my situation I was the lead vehicle and properly signaled looked merged and completed my merge when overtaken. Contrast that to the poster who stated he was side by side with a golf cart when the driver of the cart began to merge from the diamond lane.

when it comes to fault most accidents involve contributory negligence, less so with backing and overtaking which are about absolute

I have certainly been guilty of some mistakes while driving and when I have motioned to the opposing driver my mea culpa.
I have zero doubt, rubicon, that you encountered a driver behaving poorly in the scenario you described. But...

Sorry...we're not talking about vehicles overtaking other vehicles on a highway or backing. (I'm not even sure what you're referring to when you speak about "backing".) We're talking about a vehicle merging when that vehicle's lane is being terminated. Two totally different situations.

In a lane-termination merge situation, the primary responsibility will always be with the vehicle who needs to merge. Of course all vehicles in the vicinity are responsible to acknowledge and reasonably accommodate the merging vehicle. But that merging vehicle has the primary responsibility to merge safely, no matter where you are or what type of vehicle you are driving. There is no "depends".

[buzzy]

Just to be on the safe side, my cart has two driver side mirrors. The wide angle parabolic mirror lets me know that someone is coming up on my left. The flat mirror lets me know how close he really is. That one helps me judge whether or not the gap is sufficient for coming out of the diamond lane at that moment.

[Paulz]

I truly believe that cars don't realize that the yellow 20mph sign applies to them when merging with golf carts! Let the race to the gate begin.

[rubicon]

I truly believe that cars don't realize that the yellow 20mph sign applies to them when merging with golf carts! Let the race to the gate begin.

Exactly that has been my point. some auto drivers have a need to speed ahead of a merging golf cart, despite the fact that the golf cart has properly executed its merge. It happens too frequently. Its like those line jumpers in grocery stores, you just got to try

And a part of the problem is that some auto drivers are as confused regarding the rules of the road as to round-a-abouts as they are about diamond lanes