Dumb A$%*! aiming for the turtle

[Debfrommaine]

Need to vent..........just got home coming from St. Charles gate. As I am approaching, I see a turtle going full speed on the other side of the gate across the lane. I safely park car just ahead to go back to save the turtle. Dumb a$% lady in a red CRV approaches, stops at the gate, sees the turtle I am SURE, goes full seed ahead, and hits the turtle. Now I am within feet of this, she SPEEDS by and I yell a you know what. Now the turtle that has been hit spins into the "guest side" at the gate, and a lady in a white compact car......she proceeds to drive, full speed, over the turtle, fortunately narrowly missing it. Simply put, what the hell is wrong with these stupid people? Clearly they were stopped at the gate, could have waited seconds for the turtle and proceeded, no issues. Again, dumb a$%!$. I needed to vent, and by the way, I saved the turtle.

[lobster610]

Good for you Deb....Thank you from me and the turtle :)

[rubicon]

OP you do know that while you view yourself a hero the situation could have ended very differently and this red CRV could have become more alarmed by not only the presence of a turtle but with your presence also.

This red CRV could have struck you and either killed you or injured you badly. I prefer not to be judgmental so I'll let you decide if in the event you had been killed or injured what you family would have believed about your actions?

I can't tell you the number of accidents over the years that killed or injured a person because of belief that they were responding with good intentions.

Experts will tell you if its you or an animal chose you.

I am pleased that you are well and that the turtle is also

[Debfrommaine]

Thank you - I did review the situation at the time and felt it was as safe as could be. The people we both stopped at the gate - the point is they could have waited the 20 seconds at the gate for the turtle to cross, there was no back up in a line. I was safe on the side of the road and to witness what I saw was just plain stupid by these people. I do believe they would have aimed for a person or turtle, they were intent on getting through the gate. Dumb A$%^&.

[John_W]

I think for your safety and the turtle's safety, next time stop your in the actual lane and put on your flashers. Then you can get out and move freely without fear of some idiot running you over. Also by making them come to a complete stop for more than a split second, they'll see what is transpiring and shouldn't have a problem waiting 20 seconds while you clear the roadway. I've left my car in the resident lane and walked over to the other lane and hit the red button for drivers that had already moved up too far or didn't know to hit the red button or for whatever and had no problems at the St. Charles Gate when this occurred.

[Debfrommaine]

Thank you. What I did was go to the turn off road a few feet up on the right to get my car off the road, put on my flashers and ran back to the gate, along the side of the road. As I approached the turtle, there were no cars at that moment, as the lady in the CRV was behind the gate. The gate went up and she ignored the turtle and hit its side, idiot. The resident gate then opened, the turtle had been hit, sped across to the resident lane and that idiot chose not to wait a few seconds and went over the turtle, narrowly missing it. I was then able to get the turtle moved safely. I was shocked these people were not more observant.

[Topspinmo]

I think you were lucky that they even seen the gate. How may gates get broken daily around here? And you was in the same lane? NOT SAFE AT ALL IMO!!!!!!!

[dnobles]

Thank you.

[Annabelle110410]

Deb:
We University of Maryland Terrapin grads thank you.
FEAR THE TURTLE

[Carl in Tampa]

I love wildlife.

But, I discourage getting out of your car to "save" a turtle.

It can be disturbing to see a turtle, or other wild animal, at risk while crossing the road, but being on foot on a road where motor vehicles (cars, trucks, golf carts) are being operated can be much more hazardous than most people realize.

In 2014 Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Chelsea Richard was killed on I-75 in Marion County, and she wasn't even on the roadway, but was on the shoulder of the road. Also killed was a Sales Agent at Properties of the Villages.

In June 2017, FHP Trooper Sgt. William Bishop was killed while on foot on the inside emergency lane of I-75 in Alachua County. He was struck when a second crash occurred between a 67 year old resident of The Villages and a 46 year old man from Tampa.

You are at incredible risk when on foot on any road where motor vehicles are operating. You cannot depend upon drivers to do the right thing.

Leave the turtle to do the best he can.

[Mleeja]

Deb, thank you for caring about the turtle. I was incredibly thoughtful of you. Carl, is correct in that "you cannot count upon drivers to do the right thing".

[Sandtrap328]

Deb, thanks very much for caring about wildlife and for your actions to save the turtle.

You certainly did not think, though, that posting the thread that half the repliers would be negative toward your good deed, did you? Amazing! Sometimes I just shake my head.

[ColdNoMore]

Deb, thanks very much for caring about wildlife and for your actions to save the turtle.

You certainly did not think, though, that posting the thread that half the repliers would be negative toward your good deed, did you? Amazing! Sometimes I just shake my head.

:agree:


It just goes to show the old adage of 'no good deed goes unpunished'...is often true. :ohdear:

[Bonny]

I'm a little surprised at some of the comments. It was a turtle at the gate, not the turnpike. My goodness, who could be in such a hurry that 20 seconds makes a difference.
Thank you for saving the turtle. We do it all the time. :thumbup:

[SouthOfTheBorder]

I'm a little surprised at some of the comments. It was a turtle at the gate, not the turnpike. My goodness, who could be in such a hurry that 20 seconds makes a difference.
Thank you for saving the turtle. We do it all the time. :thumbup:

:BigApplause:

[Blessed2BNTV]

I'm a little surprised at some of the comments. It was a turtle at the gate, not the turnpike. My goodness, who could be in such a hurry that 20 seconds makes a difference.
Thank you for saving the turtle. We do it all the time. :thumbup:

What she said 😊. Thanks Bonnie!

[gator17]

If it was a Gopher Tortoise they are endangered and the drivers broke the law!

[dillywho]

If it was a Gopher Tortoise they are endangered and the drivers broke the law!

Thank you. Even it was not one on the list, why are some people hell-bent on killing wildlife or even domestic pets? I have seen people do the same thing with dogs and cats simply because they don't like them. There are people I don't like, either, but I sure wouldn't run over them or even attempt to do so!

[New Englander]

I think the OP Deb did the right thing to save the turtle. It's too bad some drivers are in such a hurry that they can't wait 20 seconds for a helpless turtle.

[Bonny]

If it was a Gopher Tortoise they are endangered and the drivers broke the law!
Well then, all the better to save it than watch it get killed.
That's one less Gopher Tortoise on the endangered list. :thumbup:

[Henryk]

Well then, all the better to save it than watch it get killed.
That's one less Gopher Tortoise on the endangered list. :thumbup:
Bonny, I infer from this post that what the poster means is that if the turtle is on the endangered species list, you may not touch them or handle them in any way. People germs, I presume. At least, that's how it was in Provincetown.

[lobster610]

Deb, I don't feel you were haphazardly putting your "life" in danger since you were at a gate, not the "interstate", nor did you have time to google if it was an endangered species or not. If you hadn't reacted as quickly as you did, the poor little thing would be dead. IMO I feel you did the instinctively humane and kind thing by helping to save it's life. God Bless you!!

[Bonny]

Bonny, I infer from this post that what the poster means is that if the turtle is on the endangered species list, you may not touch them or handle them in any way. People germs, I presume. At least, that's how it was in Provincetown.
Yes, I'm sure you are right in that. They would just have to take me to jail, cause I'm saving the turtle. :a040: LOL ;)

[lobster610]

WTG Bonny :)

[Carl in Tampa]

Deb, I don't feel you were haphazardly putting your "life" in danger since you were at a gate, not the "interstate", nor did you have time to google if it was an endangered species or not. If you hadn't reacted as quickly as you did, the poor little thing would be dead. IMO I feel you did the instinctively humane and kind thing by helping to save it's life. God Bless you!!

I take it you have never seen a gate knocked down by an inattentive driver.

Let's talk about putting a person's life in danger. It doesn't take a setting on the Interstate. Most folks would agree that a senior who was struck directly by a golf cart going only 10 mph could incur significant injuries, including the possibility of a broken hip, which can become a life changing (or even life ending) event.

I don't think I am an alarmist. I have investigated hundreds of traffic crashes, including many vehicle versus pedestrian. The pedestrian always loses.

It may "feel good" to "rescue" a turtle, but I continue to question the wisdom of dismounting from a motor vehicle in order to do it.

I am reminded of the time that President Clinton released an Eagle at an event in Maryland, and the Eagle was immediately knocked from the sky by four Ospreys.

You might not want to watch this video of a family releasing a cute little bunny into the wild.

Bunny swooped up by hawk moments after its release - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agapyoUI1gA)

Let nature care for it's own.

[Debfrommaine]

You know I actually felt safer in those few moments than at times when I have crossed the street in Lake Sumter Landing. And a turtle lives on.

[ColdNoMore]

You know I actually felt safer in those few moments than at times when I have crossed the street in Lake Sumter Landing. And a turtle lives on.

:BigApplause:....:BigApplause:....:BigApplause:

[Bonny]

You know I actually felt safer in those few moments than at times when I have crossed the street in Lake Sumter Landing. And a turtle lives on.
:bowdown:

[Railcruiser]

I'm glad you saved the turtle I have stopped before for ducks, turtles etc. whenever I see a car approaching I get out of the way , jump up-and-down and wave and try and point out the animal.
I rode my bike for thousands of miles in Boston the suburbs and the more rural areas up and down the coast. It amazes me when I ride every morning in the villages how many dead creatures are in the street and golf cart paths
I understand a squirrel or rabbit darting out. But ducks and turtles on a complete straightaway. I always think it must be on purpose. They move so slowly how can you not see them.

[Debfrommaine]

I'm glad you saved the turtle I have stopped before for ducks, turtles etc. whenever I see a car approaching I get out of the way , jump up-and-down and wave and try and point out the animal.
I rode my bike for thousands of miles in Boston the suburbs and the more rural areas up and down the coast. It amazes me when I ride every morning in the villages how many dead creatures are in the street and golf cart paths
I understand a squirrel or rabbit darting out. But ducks and turtles on a complete straightaway. I always think it must be on purpose. They move so slowly how can you not see them.

Could not agree more. Seriously, this turtle was going like a bat out of you know what down the golf cart path then into the road to cross at the gate - very easy to see. The red CRV was just plain not observant and did not care, IMO. I always say to to my husband "how can you not see a turtle" when I see a deceased one. Granted, there are times when we can not always stop but there are times when it is possible and safe, we gotta help when it is appropriate.

[Mrs. Robinson]

I'm with Deb, Bonny and many others.
I cannot keep going on when I see a turtle, duck or any live thing in the street until I know it has safely crossed.
Those who feel the same way -- fortunately or unfortunately -- do not think about personal safety.
The safety of the animal is paramount in our thoughts.

[juneroses]

I was travelling east on CR 466 today and was stopped at the VERY busy intersection with Rolling Acres. I had the green but traffic wasn't moving. And then I saw why. A mother mallard was leading two tiny ducklings across CR 466 to the south side. When all three had safely crossed and jumped the curb, traffic resumed moving. I couldn't help smiling. Sometimes the world is good and you just love your fellow humans!!!