Well, tonight I saw two sets of......

[Talk Host]

.....ah....stupid grandparents. Both on Calumet Drive. The first one was Grandma and Grandpa riding with an (about) 10 year old girl driving the golf cart alongside of traffic. The second was about 30 seconds later with Grandma and Grandpa in the front seat, and an (about) two year old sitting on Granpa's lap helping him steer. At the exact moment I saw them, the baby yanked the steering wheel and the cart hit the curb with a glancing blow.

How sad is this that these people are mixed in with the rest of us. I pray that they are not responsible for the death or injury of their grandchildren someday.

I believe that the sheriff turns a blind eye to this. I guess I am the only one who is concerned about it.

[ejp52]

Yesterday I had a kid in the middle of the road on my street,weaving while the "proud" grandfather sat there.
I just shook my head.:shrug:

[mac9]

If they are idiotic enough to kill their own grandkids, then so be it. JUST DON'T KILL ME!!!

[Ooper]

Saturday, as I was coming out of redsauce, I saw 4 children, I would guess the oldest was maybe 12, the rest I am sure were under 10, and they driving around the square at LSL. 3 of the kids were in the seat built for 2. This cart did not have a rear seat and the the 4th was sitting on the rear fender hanging on to the frame for the roof. How stupid can grandparents be.

[mfp509]

I think many are concerned about this - I have been ever since I moved here 6 years ago. It has gotten even worse as we grow. I've said it before, a fatality or serious accident is just around the corner - unfortunately. Why does law enforcement have to wait until then to start a crack down? Once something happens, I'll bet there will be some action. Too bad not now in an attempt to avert a tragedy.

[bargee]

TH you are not the only one concerned with this.Any time I see this I let the people involved know that they are breaking the law and teaching their beloved grandchildren to do the same.I have gone as far as to warn a neighbor that if I see his underage guests operating his cart on our villa streets I will report it to the Sheriffs office.I would rather be the bad guy than see EMS loading these children into an ambulance.Operating a golf cart on our Villages roads is a privilege not a right,constant violation of the law could cause that privilege to disappear.

[katezbox]

TH,

So many of us feel as you do... unfortunately many are part of a "silent majority" because, unlike bargee, they are afraid to be "the bad guy."

We live on a street with LOTS of construction going on - in other words lots of trucks, many backing up and turning, others parked by the side of the road... and we saw grandpa being driven by a pre-teen girl with a bunch of other kids in the cart.

I wish the law enforcement folks would take a stronger stand - this is an accident waiting to happen.

Have you thought about starting a group to bring this to the attention of more people? You have the perfect forum (no pun intended) to get it started. I was thinking something along the lines of the red ribbon campaign MADD runs at the Christmas holidays. Maybe get pink and blue ribbons for folks to put on their carts as a pledge that they won't allow children to drive their carts.

Not to be mercenary (but an accountant is always thinking about the bottom line) - perhaps you could distribute the ribbons on the squares or through local businesses and attach a card tot he ribbons that says "sponsored by TOTV"...

[TrudyM]

Cool If you guys all band together you will have the problem 90% fixed by the time I get there. (you have 23.5 months left)
As far as saying nothing, isn't there a saying all it takes for the bad to grow is for good people to do nothing. Ok thats not exactly it but these gramps and grandmas arn't evil just clueless (I hope).
If money could be raised maybe signs around in high traffic areas of the cart paths (So they are seenby the most people)
"Cart driver age 16+ It's the law" or something like that. (or is Florida one of those 14 year old states still, it use to be I had a scooter licence at 14 when I was in boarding school down there)

[dillywho]

.....ah....stupid grandparents. Both on Calumet Drive. The first one was Grandma and Grandpa riding with an (about) 10 year old girl driving the golf cart alongside of traffic. The second was about 30 seconds later with Grandma and Grandpa in the front seat, and an (about) two year old sitting on Granpa's lap helping him steer. At the exact moment I saw them, the baby yanked the steering wheel and the cart hit the curb with a glancing blow.

How sad is this that these people are mixed in with the rest of us. I pray that they are not responsible for the death or injury of their grandchildren someday.

I believe that the sheriff turns a blind eye to this. I guess I am the only one who is concerned about it.

Maybe if everyone who witnesses this calls in, the SO and LLPD up their presence and begin writing citations to the offenders. This could easily be done from unmarked cars, marked cars, bicycles, and/or golf carts. Once they are inundated with calls, that just could make a difference and prevent a tragedy.

[rsetterlund]

Is it possible to get the community watch people to start issuing sitations? They are in the neighborhoods all the time and should be able to see the young kids driving.

Everyone should speak up so that things do not take a turn for the worst. If a major accident does happen then rules might be changed that hurt all of us. So when you speak up one is only protecting their current rights, not trying to make trouble for someone else.

[bestmickey]

I also agree with you TH. Ya know, if I was ever injured, or my golf cart was damaged, because of these idiotic/stupid/arrogant grandparents, I'd seriously investigate suing a number of responsible parties.

Those who I can immediately think of would be: 1) the grandparents, for the obvious violation; 2) the parents, for lack of supervision of their children; 3) the developer, for not having a program in place (including daily notice in the local newspaper of this being a violation of law, so that all residents are aware); and 4) the County police department, for not enforcing the law (I'm sure a good lawyer could find complaints that have been made to the police over the years, but am equally sure you won't find any enforcement of the law).

And, I'd hire an attorney from New York State (who is also licensed to practice in Florida) so that "The Developer" would have no influence on the attorney and his/her law practice.

I hope if any innocent resident is the victim of such a (inevitable) accident, he/she use these thoughts to receive compensation.

[Bogie Shooter]

Is it possible to get the community watch people to start issuing sitations? They are in the neighborhoods all the time and should be able to see the young kids driving.

Everyone should speak up so that things do not take a turn for the worst. If a major accident does happen then rules might be changed that hurt all of us. So when you speak up one is only protecting their current rights, not trying to make trouble for someone else.
Community watch has no policing authority.

[Bogie Shooter]

Cool If you guys all band together you will have the problem 90% fixed by the time I get there. (you have 23.5 months left)
As far as saying nothing, isn't there a saying all it takes for the bad to grow is for good people to do nothing. Ok thats not exactly it but these gramps and grandmas arn't evil just clueless (I hope).
If money could be raised maybe signs around in high traffic areas of the cart paths (So they are seenby the most people)
"Cart driver age 16+ It's the law" or something like that. (or is Florida one of those 14 year old states still, it use to be I had a scooter licence at 14 when I was in boarding school down there)

Do you really thing those folks letting their grandkids drive are intelligent enough to read? Why clutter the landscape with signs that would do no good.

[Bogie Shooter]

I also agree with you TH. Ya know, if I was ever injured, or my golf cart was damaged, because of these idiotic/stupid/arrogant grandparents, I'd seriously investigate suing a number of responsible parties.

Those who I can immediately think of would be: 1) the grandparents, for the obvious violation; 2) the parents, for lack of supervision of their children; 3) the developer, for not having a program in place (including daily notice in the local newspaper of this being a violation of law, so that all residents are aware); and 4) the County police department, for not enforcing the law (I'm sure a good lawyer could find complaints that have been made to the police over the years, but am equally sure you won't find any enforcement of the law).

And, I'd hire an attorney from New York State (who is also licensed to practice in Florida) so that "The Developer" would have no influence on the attorney and his/her law practice.

I hope if any innocent resident is the victim of such a (inevitable) accident, he/she use these thoughts to receive compensation.

How can this be the developers fault? Is it his fault people run the stop signs, speed on the streets?

[bestmickey]

How can this be the developers fault? Is it his fault people run the stop signs, speed on the streets?


It's the Development/Developer's designed and built cart paths. I am suggesting "he" needs to better educate the residents of the laws re: use of the golf cart paths. A one-time sentence in the new homebuyers handout is not sufficient. You may say it is (I'm almost certain you will.) I say, let the attorney's fight it out and see who wins.

Note also, I didn't say it would work to sue him/the family, I said I'd try it anyway.

[Peggy D]

Yesterday I had a kid in the middle of the road on my street,weaving while the "proud" grandfather sat there.
I just shook my head.:shrug:

YIKES!!!

:shrug:

[katezbox]

I feel the developer is far from perfect, but "he" also has classes for newcomers that many of us to not attend.

I threw out an idea a few posts back that no one has responded to. Am I out in left field? While I am not a fan of some of MADD's tactics and agenda, they did bring awareness to the public about the dangers of mixing alcohol and vehicles. Before their red ribbon campaign, many viewed those arrested for DUI as "but for the grace of God, there goes me."

We have all had moments where we have shown glimmers of stupidity (else where did the phrase "what were you thinking?" originate from?

Every holiday while I have been a member of this forum, TH initiates a thread on this topic. Why not take it to the next level, create awareness of the danger and generate publicity for TOTV at the same time? If enough folks have pink and blue ribbons tied to the rear mirrors on their golf carts, people will begin to ask about them and knowledge of the danger will be shared outside of this forum as well as on it.

[graciegirl]

Now THERE is a good idea Kate.

(I can't wait to meet you in person!)

[joannej]

My husband and I attended a golf cart safety course offered by TV after we moved to TV (2008). Police officers were there (from Sumter & Marion Cty), also an insurance rep, a golf cart company rep, commentator, Medics, etc. were in attendance and took questions after the meeting. There was a discussion about under-age drivers and about TV's & the police's position about it. There was a woman who attended the meeting after having lived in TV for 20 years. She was astonished about what she didn't know about the law, etc. The question and answer period was very good for those "gray" areas. I think this course should be mandatory for everyone. It was very informational and I learned a lot about golf cart safety and the harm that can come to the youngsters when they are jammed into carts. It is advertised in the Rec news when they have classes.

[katezbox]

Now THERE is a good idea Kate.

(I can't wait to meet you in person!)

Thanks Gracie - same here. Hope we can get together when you arrive for the 4th.