Traffic controls in the tri-counties

[Grill Meister]

TRAFFIC CONTROLS IN THE TRI-COUNTIES
Let’s begin with my admitting that I am an impatient son-of-a-gun and if things don’t go my way I have a hissy fit.

I have some terrible issues with the traffic controls in Tri-Counties. I have lived in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, California and Florida (Miami, Sarasota, St. Pete, Tampa, Jacksonville, Tallahassee and now The Villages) and I have never experienced the traffic controls like the ones we face daily….if we’re out on the highways.
In most other locations, the traffic engineers time the traffic signals to have an orderly flow of traffic. The primary issue is, of course, is SAFETY. The flow of traffic traveling at the posted speed limit should be able to continue through the traffic signals without having to stop. But not here. If you drive on US 441/27 you are lucky if you can get through two traffic signals without stopping and I mean lucky. Most of the time, you will have to stop at every stinking light. We drove through Leesburg this morning and every….EVERY light caught us.

And, I have never experienced the left turn arrow as we have here. In most locations, other than the tri-counties, you may have a left turn arrow, which gives you total right of way against opposing traffic. When that turn arrow goes to caution (yellow) you know that your right of way against opposing traffic is about to cease and you need to prepare to stop. But, then after the caution light goes off, you have a green light….in most other locations; but you also have opposing traffic, so you have better wait until you have a break in traffic before your turn left. Here, in the tri-counties, the turn arrow goes to red and you sit and sit and sit, even though there may not be any traffic coming at you. And that’s compounded by some wonderful driver who will not pull out into the intersection so that they can turn left when the traffic has a gap or when the light turns red. AAAARRRRGGGG!!!

Another wonderful bit of timing frequently occurs and the intersection of Buenos Aries and Hwy 466. Those lights are so timed that there may be no traffic at all allowed through in any direction. Cars on 466 in both directions just sit. Traffic on Buenos Aires just sit. Ain’t nobody goin’ no where.

Now can somebody explain to this growly impatient pain in the #$$@ what is going on?

I realize that I can rationalize my feelings with the justification that all that idle time you are just sitting in your automobile is a terrible waste of gasoline, polluting the environment, but I admitted that I am impatient and I am, but my greatest area of impatience is stupidity. You can’t cure stupidity and the traffic controls around here are just stupid.

And….I might add….I love our seasonal neighbors, aka, Snow Birds. They are great people and make great friends and neighbors. It’s those other idiots that come down here and don’t know how to drive around The Villages that get on our nerves. The are arrogant, abusive, antagonistic, rude and just down right nasty and they give a bad name to our wonderful seasonal neighbors whom we love so dearly.

Incidentally, I do not moan and groan about “the developer” making money and increasing prices. They must make a profit. It’s their investment of time, money and resources and they damned sure should make a profit. Do you want to live in a community that was created and controlled by a bunch of idiots? If they didn’t make profits, they would go bankrupt and leave us high and dry to fend for ourselves. But the traffic around here stinks.:ohdear::ohdear::ohdear:

[VApeople]

And that’s compounded by some wonderful driver who will not pull out into the intersection so that they can turn left when the traffic has a gap or when the light turns red.

I am one of those wonderful drivers.

I don't pull out into the intersection until I am confident I can turn left without pausing.

[graciegirl]

I guess you have lots of company. I am somehow programmed by something in my past NOT to let this bother me, although I am usually not patient. When in a car, you do not allow stuff like this to make you mad. Came from a long line of non-honkers. It is practically a sin to honk at someone where I grew up.

Everyone is different. I am so sorry this upsets you.

[Bilyclub]

I agree that sitting behind those who stay behind the white line when making a left turn is frustrating. The practice might even be considered obstructing traffic in some jurisdictions.

[shut the front door]

Your complaints are totally warranted. It is ridiculous that they can't time those lights. It's also ridiculous that they can't put right turn lanes at the majority of intersections. I can't count how much of my life has been wasted sitting at a red light behind a car that is going straight because they refuse to put in right turn lanes even where there is plenty of room to do so. Then when they do have a turn lane, you spend countless minutes waiting behind that ass clown who won't pull up enough to let you get in the turn lane.

[Stu from NYC]

I am one of those wonderful drivers.

I don't pull out into the intersection until I am confident I can turn left without pausing.

Bet you get honked out quite a bit.

[Polar Bear]

…The flow of traffic traveling at the posted speed limit should be able to continue through the traffic signals without having to stop. But not here…
Wow. There is a lot in your post. And you make some decent points. But I must point out that your frustration is partially due to your expectations….

The part of your post I quoted above is basically impossible to achieve. The goal is too minimize overall delay, not give one direction unrestricted flow. With cross traffic (thus the traffic signals) and variations in traffic flow, there WILL be delays. Minimizing those delays is the goal of the traffic engineer.

FWIW, I spent my career as a Professional Transportation Engineer in the State of Florida. :)

[skyking]

I agree with the original post. Most major streets in cities I have lived in are timed to give traffic successive green lights for traffic going the speed limit. In my experience here in Florida you get successive red lights if you drive at the posted speed.

[kathyspear]

And that’s compounded by some wonderful driver who will not pull out into the intersection so that they can turn left when the traffic has a gap or when the light turns red. AAAARRRRGGGG!!!

Drives my husband nuts!

kathy

[JoMar]

Drives my husband nuts!

kathy

In PA and NJ if you pull pass the white line and then turn left when the light turns green you have gone through a red light. I have the ticket to prove it. I discussed with my insurance carrier and they confirmed that is the law and the resulting accident was my fault. That happened in 2004 so can't speak to any change. I suspect that is the law in many States or there would be no need for the white line.

[C. C. Rider]

In PA and NJ if you pull pass the white line and then turn left when the light turns green you have gone through a red light. I have the ticket to prove it. I discussed with my insurance carrier and they confirmed that is the law and the resulting accident was my fault. That happened in 2004 so can't speak to any change. I suspect that is the law in many States or there would be no need for the white line.

They are not talking about pulling out into the intersection when the light is RED. Pull out into the intersection when the light is GREEN. Then when there's a gap in the oncoming traffic or when the oncoming traffic stops, you can make your left hand turn, even if the light has now turned RED.

That's perfectly legal because you ENTERED the intersection when the light was GREEN.

[Topspinmo]

TRAFFIC CONTROLS IN THE TRI-COUNTIES
Let’s begin with my admitting that I am an impatient son-of-a-gun and if things don’t go my way I have a hissy fit.

I have some terrible issues with the traffic controls in Tri-Counties. I have lived in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, California and Florida (Miami, Sarasota, St. Pete, Tampa, Jacksonville, Tallahassee and now The Villages) and I have never experienced the traffic controls like the ones we face daily….if we’re out on the highways.
In most other locations, the traffic engineers time the traffic signals to have an orderly flow of traffic. The primary issue is, of course, is SAFETY. The flow of traffic traveling at the posted speed limit should be able to continue through the traffic signals without having to stop. But not here. If you drive on US 441/27 you are lucky if you can get through two traffic signals without stopping and I mean lucky. Most of the time, you will have to stop at every stinking light. We drove through Leesburg this morning and every….EVERY light caught us.

And, I have never experienced the left turn arrow as we have here. In most locations, other than the tri-counties, you may have a left turn arrow, which gives you total right of way against opposing traffic. When that turn arrow goes to caution (yellow) you know that your right of way against opposing traffic is about to cease and you need to prepare to stop. But, then after the caution light goes off, you have a green light….in most other locations; but you also have opposing traffic, so you have better wait until you have a break in traffic before your turn left. Here, in the tri-counties, the turn arrow goes to red and you sit and sit and sit, even though there may not be any traffic coming at you. And that’s compounded by some wonderful driver who will not pull out into the intersection so that they can turn left when the traffic has a gap or when the light turns red. AAAARRRRGGGG!!!

Another wonderful bit of timing frequently occurs and the intersection of Buenos Aries and Hwy 466. Those lights are so timed that there may be no traffic at all allowed through in any direction. Cars on 466 in both directions just sit. Traffic on Buenos Aires just sit. Ain’t nobody goin’ no where.

Now can somebody explain to this growly impatient pain in the #$$@ what is going on?

I realize that I can rationalize my feelings with the justification that all that idle time you are just sitting in your automobile is a terrible waste of gasoline, polluting the environment, but I admitted that I am impatient and I am, but my greatest area of impatience is stupidity. You can’t cure stupidity and the traffic controls around here are just stupid.

And….I might add….I love our seasonal neighbors, aka, Snow Birds. They are great people and make great friends and neighbors. It’s those other idiots that come down here and don’t know how to drive around The Villages that get on our nerves. The are arrogant, abusive, antagonistic, rude and just down right nasty and they give a bad name to our wonderful seasonal neighbors whom we love so dearly.

Incidentally, I do not moan and groan about “the developer” making money and increasing prices. They must make a profit. It’s their investment of time, money and resources and they damned sure should make a profit. Do you want to live in a community that was created and controlled by a bunch of idiots? If they didn’t make profits, they would go bankrupt and leave us high and dry to fend for ourselves. But the traffic around here stinks.:ohdear::ohdear::ohdear:


Welcome to over crowded Florida, it’s only going to get worse.

[Mrprez]

You didn’t even mention the left turn lights that are on a timer and turn on even when there is nobody in the turn lane. Don’t these intersections have sensors to detect someone waiting for a left turn light?

[Billy1]

I am a native Floridian and even back in the fifties, my Dad would say they want the tourist to stop and spend money.

[DaleDivine]

You didn’t even mention the left turn lights that are on a timer and turn on even when there is nobody in the turn lane. Don’t these intersections have sensors to detect someone waiting for a left turn light?

Yep, this bugs me too...
And the gazillion STOP signs in TV that should be YIELD signs because hardly anybody stops for them anyway.
:ohdear::ohdear::ohdear:

[sdeikenberry]

All the comments are the reason I very rarely drive my car, unless I'm forced to go outside TV. I always drive my golf cart, and am in a much better frame of mind for doing so. It may take me a few more minutes to get to some places, but it's worth it for my mental state of staying calm. Everyone moves mostly the same rate of speed, it's easy to pass a slower cart, almost no stop lights, and very short delays crossing streets with auto traffic. If you plan your life correctly, there is almost no place you need to go that you can't get to by golf cart.

[bowlingal]

Grill Master.....don't sweat the small stuff. This is not important at all. You are going to give yourself a heart attack.

[Sandy and Ed]

I agree with the original post. Most major streets in cities I have lived in are timed to give traffic successive green lights for traffic going the speed limit. In my experience here in Florida you get successive red lights if you drive at the posted speed.
If you hit the first light and drive at the posted speed and the lights are timed for the speed limit.......logically you will hit every red light wouldn’t you?? Just asking

[Ptmckiou]

Being that I’m use to driving in LOs Angeles traffic, bumper to bumper in 6 lanes on the “expressways”, traffic here seems nonexistent and haven’t noticed that many issues. Being retired, every day is Saturday, so not that worried about how long it takes me to get from point “A” to “B”. Not worth sweating the small stuff....

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

If you look up, you'll see cameras on the cables connecting the traffic lights. There are also trip-wires under the road near the stop lines. There is also a timer.

This is so that people moving on the main road (such as 441) don't get stuck having to stop when no one is actually trying to cross the road. Unfortunately, if the camera misses you at the wrong moment, you're stuck in the left turn lane for an extra cycle.

The trick to tripping the light, that I've experienced so far:

Look at the lights up ahead when you're far away. Are they red? Well - you're going to miss that cycle then, no matter what you do. Are they yellow? You have a chance. Are they green? If you scoot along at a steady quick clip and make it into the left lane before they turn yellow, it's POSSIBLE you'll get that extra left-turn signal before the next cycle. But you might have to wait til the next cycle anyway.

If you see you're going to miss the signal, then move SLOWLY into that left lane. Do -not- go all the way up to the line. Stop a car-length away. And then, as soon as the side-road gets THEIR left turn, slowly move up to the line. That'll trip it.

[Sandy and Ed]

I am one of those wonderful drivers.

I don't pull out into the intersection until I am confident I can turn left without pausing.
And by sitting behind the intersection while you have a green light ....and waiting .....instead of proceeding into the intersection, you prevent others behind you from following. As far as I know it is legal and safe for a driver to move into the center of the intersection when the light is green and wait for an opportunity to torn left against oncoming traffic. The light is green!!! Use it! Please!!!

[maggie1]

I am one of those wonderful drivers.

I don't pull out into the intersection until I am confident I can turn left without pausing.

It's conceivable that unless the traffic light has a left turn arrow, you could wait at the stop line for several cycles before traffic approaching from the opposite direction clears. I believe that at an intersection where there is no left turn arrow, you are allowed to enter the intersection on green, wait for traffic from the opposite direction to clear, and then make your left turn. Perhaps a call to a Florida Highway Patrol Post would clear up any confusion.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

If you hit the first light and drive at the posted speed and the lights are timed for the speed limit.......logically you will hit every red light wouldn’t you?? Just asking

No. The lights have both a timer and a trip. If less-travelled side-roads suddenly have a car at the front line, it will trip the cycle and reset the timer. If you happen to be approaching the light on the main road when this happens, you are likely to get stuck at the light.

[Neils]

Ride a bike instead. They dont stop

[Sandy and Ed]

I can add two additional frustrations:

The traffic in the rotary has the right of way. Some drivers from one particular unnamed state are apparently taught that traffic entering the circle has the right of way. Result? Traffic in the circle slows and bunches up to allow the incoming vehicle to enter. WRONG.

Next: Rotaries here need some getting use to. Once you have been here awhile this isn’t a problem since you expect it. For newer residents or seasonal residents, this may be an issue. Some of the rotaries have two marked dotted line exit lanes from the rotary both going into some village entrances. It is possible for traffic in the right lane which is proceeding STRAIGHT past the exit to cross with traffic in the left lane attempting to leave the rotary to enter the village. The road markings show a turn possible from the left lane. The issue might. be resolved by somehow changing the road markings to reflect only the right lane may leave the rotary.

I never leave a rotary from the left lane regardless of how the lanes are marked

[tsmall22204]

State and local traffic engineers in Florida are definitely not on the same page. Bad driving is often the result of bad traffic engineers. Let that sink in.

[G.R.I.T.S.]

...and the unseen person, perhaps on a motorcycle, traveling in the opposite direction will hit you when you’re turning.

[Skunky1]

Left turn accidents are the worst! Stay out of the intersection until it’s safe to make your left turn

[J1ceasar]

I really have to laugh at your comments about traffic in Leesburg and the signals. Maybe you should realize that the lights are synchronized exactly so you cannot go through two of them! Leesburg has only two lanes each way and it's done this way specifically so you don't go 55 miles an hour in a 35 mile an hour zone. Unlike the villages area of 27/441 where there are three lanes each way, Leesburg has many many more intersections per mile on its main thoroughfare going north south and it's done for safety meaning your safety. It's bad enough everyone trying to get in and out to go somewhere fast just remember you're retired and you don't have to get there fast. And really if you don't like it take one of the East-West routes to 301 and see how you like that.

[J1ceasar]

5 minutes of your life I feel sorry for you

[Malsua]

While I've been coming to and owned in TV for years and finally just got my NJ house on the market, I have pretty good handle on the way FL vs NJ handles traffic. This is probably the _ONLY_ thing NJ does better than FL.

Traffic flow.

Every trip on 441 in either direction, you will catch every light. The length of the lights on the main highway are ridiculous too. The Yellows are not long enough as well, they need at least another second and yes, that is a _PROVEN_ way to reduce collisions and save lives.

This applies to any major road. Side roads are given way too much priority. You stop 200 cars so 3 cars can get out? Dumb. Make the 3 cars turn right if they don't want to wait and get turned around further down the road.

In college, one of my senior level courses was GPSS which is a time and traffic simulation program. While I was only peripherally involved(I built the module for a low volume intersection), one of the really good programmers put together all our modules and simulated the entire campus traffic system. He submitted his recommendations to the prof who took it to the board who submitted it to the city who in fact changed all the lights. The result? It eliminated two major bottlenecks.

I have to think that FDOT has some talented programmers and engineers, do they just ignore them?

[J1ceasar]

As I was discussing just last night, the rotary is here are very poorly designed as their diameter is about 1/4 of what they should be for proper usage. I will never ever get into the inside Lane whether or not I have to go exit the first second or the third turn. The only time I answer the rotary is when there is nobody to the left of me in the rotary or to the right of me in the rotary at least one quarter circle behind. In other words it has to be damn empty for me because there isn't enough time to make a decision when you're doing even 25 miles an hour and there's only 50 ft to decide to go left or right or turn. Whoever allowed the rotaries at the state level did a very poor job PS I'm from New Jersey and New York and I damn well know how to drive

[J1ceasar]

You do know however and it's hundreds of thousands of dollars to put in a right turn lane and that right turn Lanes do back up the other two lanes 50% of the time

[noslices1]

The traffic lights that have left turn arrows and then left turn red arrows are intersections that have had a history of left turn accidents, due to the impatience of us crabby old drivers. If you notice, there is even a 2 or 3 second delay when one light turns red and the other turns green. This is for all those impatient grumpy old people who know they can make that light, even though it turns yellow 100 feet before they get to it. Saves lives when they adjust the lights to make you wait a few seconds before you can race to the next light.

[golfing eagles]

I can add two additional frustrations:

The traffic in the rotary has the right of way. Some drivers from one particular unnamed state are apparently taught that traffic entering the circle has the right of way. Result? Traffic in the circle slows and bunches up to allow the incoming vehicle to enter. WRONG.

Next: Rotaries here need some getting use to. Once you have been here awhile this isn’t a problem since you expect it. For newer residents or seasonal residents, this may be an issue. Some of the rotaries have two marked dotted line exit lanes from the rotary both going into some village entrances. It is possible for traffic in the right lane which is proceeding STRAIGHT past the exit to cross with traffic in the left lane attempting to leave the rotary to enter the village. The road markings show a turn possible from the left lane. The issue might. be resolved by somehow changing the road markings to reflect only the right lane may leave the rotary.

I never leave a rotary from the left lane regardless of how the lanes are marked

You might want to review proper rotary driving yourself. The reason 2 lanes "exit" the rotary is that 2 lanes enter the rotary and can go straight through 180 degrees. There are 2 ways that some bozo will cross in front of a car exiting from the left (inner) lane.
1) They entered alongside you, but were going 270 degrees to the 3rd exit (ridiculous, but drivers do it all the time)
2) Someone entered the right (outer) lane from the 1st exit while you were coming around and then went straight (also prohibited, vehicles entering the RB MUST yield to traffic in EITHER lane, but it also happens daily)

There are some rotaries that have 2 lanes but a single lane "exit", but those are easily managed as well. All in all, the RBs work pretty well if drivers would learn to navigate them properly

[Girlcopper]

TRAFFIC CONTROLS IN THE TRI-COUNTIES
Let’s begin with my admitting that I am an impatient son-of-a-gun and if things don’t go my way I have a hissy fit.

I have some terrible issues with the traffic controls in Tri-Counties. I have lived in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, California and Florida (Miami, Sarasota, St. Pete, Tampa, Jacksonville, Tallahassee and now The Villages) and I have never experienced the traffic controls like the ones we face daily….if we’re out on the highways.
In most other locations, the traffic engineers time the traffic signals to have an orderly flow of traffic. The primary issue is, of course, is SAFETY. The flow of traffic traveling at the posted speed limit should be able to continue through the traffic signals without having to stop. But not here. If you drive on US 441/27 you are lucky if you can get through two traffic signals without stopping and I mean lucky. Most of the time, you will have to stop at every stinking light. We drove through Leesburg this morning and every….EVERY light caught us.

And, I have never experienced the left turn arrow as we have here. In most locations, other than the tri-counties, you may have a left turn arrow, which gives you total right of way against opposing traffic. When that turn arrow goes to caution (yellow) you know that your right of way against opposing traffic is about to cease and you need to prepare to stop. But, then after the caution light goes off, you have a green light….in most other locations; but you also have opposing traffic, so you have better wait until you have a break in traffic before your turn left. Here, in the tri-counties, the turn arrow goes to red and you sit and sit and sit, even though there may not be any traffic coming at you. And that’s compounded by some wonderful driver who will not pull out into the intersection so that they can turn left when the traffic has a gap or when the light turns red. AAAARRRRGGGG!!!

Another wonderful bit of timing frequently occurs and the intersection of Buenos Aries and Hwy 466. Those lights are so timed that there may be no traffic at all allowed through in any direction. Cars on 466 in both directions just sit. Traffic on Buenos Aires just sit. Ain’t nobody goin’ no where.

Now can somebody explain to this growly impatient pain in the #$$@ what is going on?

I realize that I can rationalize my feelings with the justification that all that idle time you are just sitting in your automobile is a terrible waste of gasoline, polluting the environment, but I admitted that I am impatient and I am, but my greatest area of impatience is stupidity. You can’t cure stupidity and the traffic controls around here are just stupid.

And….I might add….I love our seasonal neighbors, aka, Snow Birds. They are great people and make great friends and neighbors. It’s those other idiots that come down here and don’t know how to drive around The Villages that get on our nerves. The are arrogant, abusive, antagonistic, rude and just down right nasty and they give a bad name to our wonderful seasonal neighbors whom we love so dearly.

Incidentally, I do not moan and groan about “the developer” making money and increasing prices. They must make a profit. It’s their investment of time, money and resources and they damned sure should make a profit. Do you want to live in a community that was created and controlled by a bunch of idiots? If they didn’t make profits, they would go bankrupt and leave us high and dry to fend for ourselves. But the traffic around here stinks.:ohdear::ohdear::ohdear:

Just for the record. Its illegal to pull into the intersection while you wait for a break in traffic to make your turn. I know. Iknow. Everyone does it and so do I BUT those people are just obeying traffic laws

[noslices1]

As I was discussing just last night, the rotary is here are very poorly designed as their diameter is about 1/4 of what they should be for proper usage. I will never ever get into the inside Lane whether or not I have to go exit the first second or the third turn. The only time I answer the rotary is when there is nobody to the left of me in the rotary or to the right of me in the rotary at least one quarter circle behind. In other words it has to be damn empty for me because there isn't enough time to make a decision when you're doing even 25 miles an hour and there's only 50 ft to decide to go left or right or turn. Whoever allowed the rotaries at the state level did a very poor job PS I'm from New Jersey and New York and I damn well know how to drive

If you make a left turn in a round about from the right hand lane, any accident in the round about will be YOUR fault! Open your eyes and look for the BIG green signs, 100 feet before each one, showing which lanes to be in if you want to turn or go straight. Maybe you should give up your license and sell your car if you can’t safely navigate the traffic.

[MandoMan]

I’ve lived in Virginia (DC area), Southern California, Pennsylvania, Colorado, etc., and driven when I can’t avoid it in NYC and Philadelphia. I’ve been in a lot of traffic jams in cities and on freeways. I hear your frustration, and I also get annoyed by lights that change when there is no need. However, I don’t consider the traffic signals on 441 unusually bad. As happens most places, if there is no road construction and no traffic, cars can zip right through with few stops. When traffic is heavy, the system doesn’t work as well. Still, I can usually drive from Total Wine to WalMart in about five minutes, I think. Maybe ten at the worst rush hour. I can live with that. Lights that don’t change unless there is cross traffic from small roads can be great, but they don’t work as well when there is a long string of synchronised signals in a business district. Too complicated, and they break the flow pattern. Still, signals have come a long way since we were kids. I admit that I’ve often sat on Morse at 466 at 9 pm for two minutes, the only car in sight, and wished I could just proceed with caution.

What annoys me is people at a light who are texting and decide to finish the text before starting, so only three cars get through the signal instead of ten.

As for traffic on roads in The Villages, apart from unavoidable heavy traffic at times on Morse north of 466 (two blocks from my house), I consider it a miracle of traffic engineering.

[golfing eagles]

As I was discussing just last night, the rotary is here are very poorly designed as their diameter is about 1/4 of what they should be for proper usage. I will never ever get into the inside Lane whether or not I have to go exit the first second or the third turn. The only time I answer the rotary is when there is nobody to the left of me in the rotary or to the right of me in the rotary at least one quarter circle behind. In other words it has to be damn empty for me because there isn't enough time to make a decision when you're doing even 25 miles an hour and there's only 50 ft to decide to go left or right or turn. Whoever allowed the rotaries at the state level did a very poor job PS I'm from New Jersey and New York and I damn well know how to drive

Are you seriously stating that you INTENTIONALLY stay in the right (outer) lane even if you are going around 270 to the 3rd exit?????? If so, you are not only part of the problem and not part of the solution, but EXTREMELY DANGEROUS as well to the rest of us who know what we are doing. Please stay off the road or learn to drive a RB!

[eeroger]

TRAFFIC CONTROLS IN THE TRI-COUNTIES
Let’s begin with my admitting that I am an impatient son-of-a-gun and if things don’t go my way I have a hissy fit.

I have some terrible issues with the traffic controls in Tri-Counties. I have lived in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, California and Florida (Miami, Sarasota, St. Pete, Tampa, Jacksonville, Tallahassee and now The Villages) and I have never experienced the traffic controls like the ones we face daily….if we’re out on the highways.
In most other locations, the traffic engineers time the traffic signals to have an orderly flow of traffic. The primary issue is, of course, is SAFETY. The flow of traffic traveling at the posted speed limit should be able to continue through the traffic signals without having to stop. But not here. If you drive on US 441/27 you are lucky if you can get through two traffic signals without stopping and I mean lucky. Most of the time, you will have to stop at every stinking light. We drove through Leesburg this morning and every….EVERY light caught us.

And, I have never experienced the left turn arrow as we have here. In most locations, other than the tri-counties, you may have a left turn arrow, which gives you total right of way against opposing traffic. When that turn arrow goes to caution (yellow) you know that your right of way against opposing traffic is about to cease and you need to prepare to stop. But, then after the caution light goes off, you have a green light….in most other locations; but you also have opposing traffic, so you have better wait until you have a break in traffic before your turn left. Here, in the tri-counties, the turn arrow goes to red and you sit and sit and sit, even though there may not be any traffic coming at you. And that’s compounded by some wonderful driver who will not pull out into the intersection so that they can turn left when the traffic has a gap or when the light turns red. AAAARRRRGGGG!!!

Another wonderful bit of timing frequently occurs and the intersection of Buenos Aries and Hwy 466. Those lights are so timed that there may be no traffic at all allowed through in any direction. Cars on 466 in both directions just sit. Traffic on Buenos Aires just sit. Ain’t nobody goin’ no where.

Now can somebody explain to this growly impatient pain in the #$$@ what is going on?

I realize that I can rationalize my feelings with the justification that all that idle time you are just sitting in your automobile is a terrible waste of gasoline, polluting the environment, but I admitted that I am impatient and I am, but my greatest area of impatience is stupidity. You can’t cure stupidity and the traffic controls around here are just stupid.

And….I might add….I love our seasonal neighbors, aka, Snow Birds. They are great people and make great friends and neighbors. It’s those other idiots that come down here and don’t know how to drive around The Villages that get on our nerves. The are arrogant, abusive, antagonistic, rude and just down right nasty and they give a bad name to our wonderful seasonal neighbors whom we love so dearly.

Incidentally, I do not moan and groan about “the developer” making money and increasing prices. They must make a profit. It’s their investment of time, money and resources and they damned sure should make a profit. Do you want to live in a community that was created and controlled by a bunch of idiots? If they didn’t make profits, they would go bankrupt and leave us high and dry to fend for ourselves. But the traffic around here stinks.:ohdear::ohdear::ohdear:

I can't speak for the lights on 441/27, but there does need to be a break in traffic on 466. The "one & only one" entrance from my village is on 466. Without a break in traffic, we are trapped in our village. As more and more apartments are built on 466, the traffic is almost non-stop.

One of these days, one of my neighbors or myself will get killed trying to access 466!!!

[dlebuis]

I agree. Seen too many accidents with people pulling out in intersection and thinking they can make it getting hit. Especially intersection of Morse and 466. With SUVs and trucks it’s often hard to see around them to make sure all lanes are clear. Since we’ve been here, there have been a few fatalities.

[joseppe]

TRAFFIC CONTROLS IN THE TRI-COUNTIES
Let’s begin with my admitting that I am an impatient son-of-a-gun and if things don’t go my way I have a hissy fit.

I have some terrible issues with the traffic controls in Tri-Counties. I have lived in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, California and Florida (Miami, Sarasota, St. Pete, Tampa, Jacksonville, Tallahassee and now The Villages) and I have never experienced the traffic controls like the ones we face daily….if we’re out on the highways.
In most other locations, the traffic engineers time the traffic signals to have an orderly flow of traffic. The primary issue is, of course, is SAFETY. The flow of traffic traveling at the posted speed limit should be able to continue through the traffic signals without having to stop. But not here. If you drive on US 441/27 you are lucky if you can get through two traffic signals without stopping and I mean lucky. Most of the time, you will have to stop at every stinking light. We drove through Leesburg this morning and every….EVERY light caught us.

And, I have never experienced the left turn arrow as we have here. In most locations, other than the tri-counties, you may have a left turn arrow, which gives you total right of way against opposing traffic. When that turn arrow goes to caution (yellow) you know that your right of way against opposing traffic is about to cease and you need to prepare to stop. But, then after the caution light goes off, you have a green light….in most other locations; but you also have opposing traffic, so you have better wait until you have a break in traffic before your turn left. Here, in the tri-counties, the turn arrow goes to red and you sit and sit and sit, even though there may not be any traffic coming at you. And that’s compounded by some wonderful driver who will not pull out into the intersection so that they can turn left when the traffic has a gap or when the light turns red. AAAARRRRGGGG!!!

Another wonderful bit of timing frequently occurs and the intersection of Buenos Aries and Hwy 466. Those lights are so timed that there may be no traffic at all allowed through in any direction. Cars on 466 in both directions just sit. Traffic on Buenos Aires just sit. Ain’t nobody goin’ no where.

Now can somebody explain to this growly impatient pain in the #$$@ what is going on?

I realize that I can rationalize my feelings with the justification that all that idle time you are just sitting in your automobile is a terrible waste of gasoline, polluting the environment, but I admitted that I am impatient and I am, but my greatest area of impatience is stupidity. You can’t cure stupidity and the traffic controls around here are just stupid.

And….I might add….I love our seasonal neighbors, aka, Snow Birds. They are great people and make great friends and neighbors. It’s those other idiots that come down here and don’t know how to drive around The Villages that get on our nerves. The are arrogant, abusive, antagonistic, rude and just down right nasty and they give a bad name to our wonderful seasonal neighbors whom we love so dearly.

Incidentally, I do not moan and groan about “the developer” making money and increasing prices. They must make a profit. It’s their investment of time, money and resources and they damned sure should make a profit. Do you want to live in a community that was created and controlled by a bunch of idiots? If they didn’t make profits, they would go bankrupt and leave us high and dry to fend for ourselves. But the traffic around here stinks.:ohdear::ohdear::ohdear:

My guess is that your time in California was NOT southern California (L.A.) Spend a month or so in the LosAngeles or even Orange County(California Orange County) and you'll think this is a picnic.

[Polar Bear]

Just for the record. Its illegal to pull into the intersection while you wait for a break in traffic to make your turn…
Are you talking about a left turn when you have a green ball?

If so, it is NOT illegal. It is in fact the correct and 100% legal way to make your left turn.

[Guitarman1951]

TRAFFIC CONTROLS IN THE TRI-COUNTIES
Let’s begin with my admitting that I am an impatient son-of-a-gun and if things don’t go my way I have a hissy fit.

I have some terrible issues with the traffic controls in Tri-Counties. I have lived in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, California and Florida (Miami, Sarasota, St. Pete, Tampa, Jacksonville, Tallahassee and now The Villages) and I have never experienced the traffic controls like the ones we face daily….if we’re out on the highways.
In most other locations, the traffic engineers time the traffic signals to have an orderly flow of traffic. The primary issue is, of course, is SAFETY. The flow of traffic traveling at the posted speed limit should be able to continue through the traffic signals without having to stop. But not here. If you drive on US 441/27 you are lucky if you can get through two traffic signals without stopping and I mean lucky. Most of the time, you will have to stop at every stinking light. We drove through Leesburg this morning and every….EVERY light caught us.

And, I have never experienced the left turn arrow as we have here. In most locations, other than the tri-counties, you may have a left turn arrow, which gives you total right of way against opposing traffic. When that turn arrow goes to caution (yellow) you know that your right of way against opposing traffic is about to cease and you need to prepare to stop. But, then after the caution light goes off, you have a green light….in most other locations; but you also have opposing traffic, so you have better wait until you have a break in traffic before your turn left. Here, in the tri-counties, the turn arrow goes to red and you sit and sit and sit, even though there may not be any traffic coming at you. And that’s compounded by some wonderful driver who will not pull out into the intersection so that they can turn left when the traffic has a gap or when the light turns red. AAAARRRRGGGG!!!

Another wonderful bit of timing frequently occurs and the intersection of Buenos Aries and Hwy 466. Those lights are so timed that there may be no traffic at all allowed through in any direction. Cars on 466 in both directions just sit. Traffic on Buenos Aires just sit. Ain’t nobody goin’ no where.

Now can somebody explain to this growly impatient pain in the #$$@ what is going on?

I realize that I can rationalize my feelings with the justification that all that idle time you are just sitting in your automobile is a terrible waste of gasoline, polluting the environment, but I admitted that I am impatient and I am, but my greatest area of impatience is stupidity. You can’t cure stupidity and the traffic controls around here are just stupid.

And….I might add….I love our seasonal neighbors, aka, Snow Birds. They are great people and make great friends and neighbors. It’s those other idiots that come down here and don’t know how to drive around The Villages that get on our nerves. The are arrogant, abusive, antagonistic, rude and just down right nasty and they give a bad name to our wonderful seasonal neighbors whom we love so dearly.

Incidentally, I do not moan and groan about “the developer” making money and increasing prices. They must make a profit. It’s their investment of time, money and resources and they damned sure should make a profit. Do you want to live in a community that was created and controlled by a bunch of idiots? If they didn’t make profits, they would go bankrupt and leave us high and dry to fend for ourselves. But the traffic around here stinks.:ohdear::ohdear::ohdear:
I get aggravated by bad drivers and heavy traffic as well but you have me beat by quite a bit!! 😜As my wife says sometimes, take a chill pill!! We are in one of the fastest growing areas in the entire nation. In consideration of that fact, I think overall, the local communities do a pretty good job in adjusting to it.
As far as your complaint about traffic lights, it must just be your bad luck. There are times when I've driven thru the various towns, Lady Lake, Leesburg, Bellevue, etc., and get thru numerous green lights before I catch a red. Other times, much like you said, catching a lot of reds. It's just timing I figure. I'm more aggravated by the crazy drivers, people not paying attention and all us old people whose driving prowness may not be what it once was!!! 😂
All in all, after fighting traffic in St. Louis for many years, experience in other big cities, especially LA & San Francisco, I'd take here over any of those anytime!! Chill my son, chill!! 😂😎

[golfing eagles]

TRAFFIC CONTROLS IN THE TRI-COUNTIES
Let’s begin with my admitting that I am an impatient son-of-a-gun and if things don’t go my way I have a hissy fit.

I have some terrible issues with the traffic controls in Tri-Counties. I have lived in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, California and Florida (Miami, Sarasota, St. Pete, Tampa, Jacksonville, Tallahassee and now The Villages) and I have never experienced the traffic controls like the ones we face daily….if we’re out on the highways.
In most other locations, the traffic engineers time the traffic signals to have an orderly flow of traffic. The primary issue is, of course, is SAFETY. The flow of traffic traveling at the posted speed limit should be able to continue through the traffic signals without having to stop. But not here. If you drive on US 441/27 you are lucky if you can get through two traffic signals without stopping and I mean lucky. Most of the time, you will have to stop at every stinking light. We drove through Leesburg this morning and every….EVERY light caught us.

And, I have never experienced the left turn arrow as we have here. In most locations, other than the tri-counties, you may have a left turn arrow, which gives you total right of way against opposing traffic. When that turn arrow goes to caution (yellow) you know that your right of way against opposing traffic is about to cease and you need to prepare to stop. But, then after the caution light goes off, you have a green light….in most other locations; but you also have opposing traffic, so you have better wait until you have a break in traffic before your turn left. Here, in the tri-counties, the turn arrow goes to red and you sit and sit and sit, even though there may not be any traffic coming at you. And that’s compounded by some wonderful driver who will not pull out into the intersection so that they can turn left when the traffic has a gap or when the light turns red. AAAARRRRGGGG!!!

Another wonderful bit of timing frequently occurs and the intersection of Buenos Aries and Hwy 466. Those lights are so timed that there may be no traffic at all allowed through in any direction. Cars on 466 in both directions just sit. Traffic on Buenos Aires just sit. Ain’t nobody goin’ no where.

Now can somebody explain to this growly impatient pain in the #$$@ what is going on?

I realize that I can rationalize my feelings with the justification that all that idle time you are just sitting in your automobile is a terrible waste of gasoline, polluting the environment, but I admitted that I am impatient and I am, but my greatest area of impatience is stupidity. You can’t cure stupidity and the traffic controls around here are just stupid.

And….I might add….I love our seasonal neighbors, aka, Snow Birds. They are great people and make great friends and neighbors. It’s those other idiots that come down here and don’t know how to drive around The Villages that get on our nerves. The are arrogant, abusive, antagonistic, rude and just down right nasty and they give a bad name to our wonderful seasonal neighbors whom we love so dearly.

Incidentally, I do not moan and groan about “the developer” making money and increasing prices. They must make a profit. It’s their investment of time, money and resources and they damned sure should make a profit. Do you want to live in a community that was created and controlled by a bunch of idiots? If they didn’t make profits, they would go bankrupt and leave us high and dry to fend for ourselves. But the traffic around here stinks.:ohdear::ohdear::ohdear:

Compared to NY, the traffic here is great. But I do agree with much of what you said.

The problem with the left turn arrows is that the powers that be have played to the lowest common denominator of drivers. The intersection of both Morse and BV with 466A used to have a left arrow, followed by a flashing yellow left arrow for the rest of the cycle. About 2 years ago they changed it to a timed left arrow followed by red for the whole cycle. So now you sit there 2-3 minutes with no one coming if it is late enough at night. Why??? Because there were a bunch of accidents, probably by people who shouldn't be driving in the first place, so now everyone suffers.

[toeser]

I completely agree. We have the worst traffic signal timing here of anyplace I have ever lived. A trip to Ocala or a trip south through Lady Lake and Leesburg can often take double the time it should with some reasonably timed lights. There is no way to time lights so everyone gets through without having to stop, but like you, I have hit 100% red lights sometimes trying to get through these cities.

[Pinball wizard]

Granted this is from Alberta...

Left Hand Turn Demonstration - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZaX9Q6nvUK8)

[wrestle1]

Are you talking about a left turn when you have a green ball?

If so, it is NOT illegal. It is in fact the correct and 100% legal way to make your left turn.

You are correct, legal and a courteous and safe method to keep left turn traffic flowing. I’m assuming Girlcopper was joking.

[tallmanf]

Quite the rant. I myself had to learn how to slow down. I’m retired, not running to work, taking kids to school, etc. enjoy the ride.

[Fuzzy]

I am one of those wonderful drivers.

I don't pull out into the intersection until I am confident I can turn left without pausing.

Many have lost their life pulling out thinking they could make it or didn’t see the other driver. That comment is truly insensitive.

[cgalloway6]

TRAFFIC CONTROLS IN THE TRI-COUNTIES
Let’s begin with my admitting that I am an impatient son-of-a-gun and if things don’t go my way I have a hissy fit.

I have some terrible issues with the traffic controls in Tri-Counties. I have lived in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, California and Florida (Miami, Sarasota, St. Pete, Tampa, Jacksonville, Tallahassee and now The Villages) and I have never experienced the traffic controls like the ones we face daily….if we’re out on the highways.
In most other locations, the traffic engineers time the traffic signals to have an orderly flow of traffic. The primary issue is, of course, is SAFETY. The flow of traffic traveling at the posted speed limit should be able to continue through the traffic signals without having to stop. But not here. If you drive on US 441/27 you are lucky if you can get through two traffic signals without stopping and I mean lucky. Most of the time, you will have to stop at every stinking light. We drove through Leesburg this morning and every….EVERY light caught us.

And, I have never experienced the left turn arrow as we have here. In most locations, other than the tri-counties, you may have a left turn arrow, which gives you total right of way against opposing traffic. When that turn arrow goes to caution (yellow) you know that your right of way against opposing traffic is about to cease and you need to prepare to stop. But, then after the caution light goes off, you have a green light….in most other locations; but you also have opposing traffic, so you have better wait until you have a break in traffic before your turn left. Here, in the tri-counties, the turn arrow goes to red and you sit and sit and sit, even though there may not be any traffic coming at you. And that’s compounded by some wonderful driver who will not pull out into the intersection so that they can turn left when the traffic has a gap or when the light turns red. AAAARRRRGGGG!!!

Another wonderful bit of timing frequently occurs and the intersection of Buenos Aries and Hwy 466. Those lights are so timed that there may be no traffic at all allowed through in any direction. Cars on 466 in both directions just sit. Traffic on Buenos Aires just sit. Ain’t nobody goin’ no where.

Now can somebody explain to this growly impatient pain in the #$$@ what is going on?

I realize that I can rationalize my feelings with the justification that all that idle time you are just sitting in your automobile is a terrible waste of gasoline, polluting the environment, but I admitted that I am impatient and I am, but my greatest area of impatience is stupidity. You can’t cure stupidity and the traffic controls around here are just stupid.

And….I might add….I love our seasonal neighbors, aka, Snow Birds. They are great people and make great friends and neighbors. It’s those other idiots that come down here and don’t know how to drive around The Villages that get on our nerves. The are arrogant, abusive, antagonistic, rude and just down right nasty and they give a bad name to our wonderful seasonal neighbors whom we love so dearly.

Incidentally, I do not moan and groan about “the developer” making money and increasing prices. They must make a profit. It’s their investment of time, money and resources and they damned sure should make a profit. Do you want to live in a community that was created and controlled by a bunch of idiots? If they didn’t make profits, they would go bankrupt and leave us high and dry to fend for ourselves. But the traffic around here stinks.:ohdear::ohdear::ohdear:

The traffic lights at the intersection of 466A and 441/27 is a puzzle. There are left turn lanes and lights on both the north and south bound lanes. The left turn lane on the northbound lane turns onto 466A. The left turn lane on southbound lane 441/27 turns into a guard rail. There is no road! And the northbound 441/27 traffic has to stop every cycle for southbound traffic to make left turns into the non existent road. There is no need for a car to trip it as it automatically operates. I have only seen one car use it for a u-turn, otherwise it is empty while the southbound traffic continues and all the northbound traffic has to stop and wait for nothing.
When the left turn light on northbound 441/27 is active, it would be nice if there was a right turn arrow on 466A but you have to hope the driver ahead of you is aware the right turn is protected by the left turning traffic on NB 441/27 with a left turn light. Sometimes they are, sometimes they are napping.
For the folks telling us to calm down and just go with the flow - every time you sit at a light you are wasting gas and creating pollution. I'm not an environmentalist but I am cheap. Timing the lights on 441/27 through Leesburg wouldn't be that difficult. Side streets could just wait for the next cycle instead of allowing them to switch whenever.

[stanley]

I see there are a lot of retired traffic and highway engineers here

[Topspinmo]

Yep, this bugs me too...
And the gazillion STOP signs in TV that should be YIELD signs because hardly anybody stops for them anyway.
:ohdear::ohdear::ohdear:

Funny thing about those stops signs especially at 4 way stops, you to stop before you’re in-line and that means behind the stop sign or white line across the street. :)

[HJBeck]

Try Marijuana, you'll feel a lot better.

[Bilyclub]

Just for the record. Its illegal to pull into the intersection while you wait for a break in traffic to make your turn. I know. Iknow. Everyone does it and so do I BUT those people are just obeying traffic laws

I am not a Florida LEO, but I have talked to several around TV and it is not illegal in Florida. I have seen East coasters post it was illegal in their states. In my jurisdiction it was legal and taught in driver's ed.

[Dave&JeanneBankard]

Wow, there’s a lot of issues in your post. I too wonder why the lights work the way they do, but since I live in Fenney, I have multiple ways to get up to 441/27. Even with the whacky light situation, Morse is the quickest way. Take your time and remember that the seemingly nut-job driver in front of you is really the great equalizer that will most likely save you from something terrible down the road.

[Chrissy55]

You are right on so many levels but I will add to your list that people in Florida do not use turn signals.when driving their cars or golf carts. It’s very frustrating and dangerous.

[NewRealms]

I would suggest you look in the mirror for the problem.

[Villages Kahuna]

Calm down… and stay off the highways. Traffic circles seem to work better.

[b1ll649]

It doesn't sound like it based on your fear. I drove in NJ for 45 years with roundabout (we called them circles) on most major highways. These circles down here are nothing to fear, believe me.

[EBZ06]

Having grown up in the "big city" (Queens, NY). I've seen some traffic related things that's make your head spin. But, my contention is, the worst drivers in the country reside in Florida. No doubt. I know that most of us all come from somewhere else, but it's true - Fla-da. I submit: I-75. That being said, these "Traffic Engineers" know not what they do. In Queens, Northern Blvd runs basically parallel to the Long Island Expressway into Manhattan. The "Distressway" is infamous for being a total bottleneck, especially during the rush hours. Years ago, someone discovered that if they timed the lights on Northern - and you observed the 35MPH speed limit, you could make it into the city. I tried it. It works, and also relieved me of a lot of frustration. I believe it would work here on 27/441 - but only if the morons who HAVE to do 50+ would abide.

[TesaA]

YES!!! My favorite gripe is the driver who stops at the light two or three cars away from the "lead" car and totally blocks anyone from making it into the right turn lane.

[rmd2]

There are 2 traffic lights that don't work properly at night. I don't know why this is only at night but this is what happens. If you are coming out of Lowe's or Cracker Barrel on 441 and you want to go straight across 441 onto Buenos Aries Rd. you can sit through 3 light changes and you won't get a green light to go across 441. You have to turn R, go to the next light on 441, do a U Turn and then make a right onto Buenos Aries.

The other non-functioning light is at Southern Trace and Buena Vista. If you are on Southern Trace and want to make a left turn onto Buena Vista at night good luck. You can sit there forever and the light will not change. I have had to make a UTurn and go back again through the gate sometimes this will trip the light but sometimes even that won't work. If another car comes behind me it generally will trip the light then.

These two lights do not work at night. During the day they are fine. I live in the area and drive there all the time, but I just don't understand why they don't function at night (you can tell I am a night person:)

[GPGuar]

I am one of those wonderful drivers.

I don't pull out into the intersection until I am confident I can turn left without pausing.

WHY!!!???? I understand you’re safety concern but all this does is back up traffic behind you. And usually if I’m the one behind you I get stuck at the light. And please don’t say something like “I’m retired what’s the rush?”

[daddymac1127]

WHY!!!???? I understand you’re safety concern but all this does is back up traffic behind you. And usually if I’m the one behind you I get stuck at the light. And please don’t say something like “I’m retired what’s the rush?”

i will say it. Your RETIRED WHAT IS THE RUSH? I always say better to use common sense and be safe than sorry.

[VApeople]

I am one of those wonderful drivers.

I don't pull out into the intersection until I am confident I can turn left without pausing.

WHY!!!???? I understand you’re safety concern

Your post makes no sense.

You say you understand my "safety concerns", but then you ask "Why".

Anyway, we have been here five years and have never found the traffic to be irritating. We know how others drive and we have learned how to deal with it. That is what grown-ups do.

[kathyspear]

i will say it. Your RETIRED WHAT IS THE RUSH? I always say better to use common sense and be safe than sorry.

All Villagers are NOT retired. Just saying ...

k.

[jimhurtt@twc.com]

Good venting. You should feel a lot better now.

[C. C. Rider]

Just for the record. Its illegal to pull into the intersection while you wait for a break in traffic to make your turn. I know. Iknow. Everyone does it and so do I BUT those people are just obeying traffic laws

First, you contradict yourself in your post. How can something be "illegal" and at the same time be "obeying traffic laws"?

Second, if you think it is "illegal" to pull into the intersection when you have a green light, I'd like you to show me the law that says that. People who make right hand turns pull into the intersection all the time before turning right, so why couldn't people in the left lane also pull into the intersection before making their turn?

[GPGuar]

Your post makes no sense.

You say you understand my "safety concerns", but then you ask "Why".

Anyway, we have been here five years and have never found the traffic to be irritating. We know how others drive and we have learned how to deal with it. That is what grown-ups do.
That’s fine, I’ll wait Patiently behind you while you Cautiously proceed into the intersection. No worries. Lol Just different driving from different parts of the country.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

I can add two additional frustrations:

The traffic in the rotary has the right of way. Some drivers from one particular unnamed state are apparently taught that traffic entering the circle has the right of way. Result? Traffic in the circle slows and bunches up to allow the incoming vehicle to enter. WRONG.

Next: Rotaries here need some getting use to. Once you have been here awhile this isn’t a problem since you expect it. For newer residents or seasonal residents, this may be an issue. Some of the rotaries have two marked dotted line exit lanes from the rotary both going into some village entrances. It is possible for traffic in the right lane which is proceeding STRAIGHT past the exit to cross with traffic in the left lane attempting to leave the rotary to enter the village. The road markings show a turn possible from the left lane. The issue might. be resolved by somehow changing the road markings to reflect only the right lane may leave the rotary.

I never leave a rotary from the left lane regardless of how the lanes are marked

If the outside lane is the only lane that may leave the rotary, then the people coming in from the inside lane would never be allowed to leave the rotary. They'd just keep going around in a circle forever.

The inside lane is for people who are going past their own next exit. If they're going around 2 exits, or 3 exits, or making a complete u-turn. In fact, if they are going to their third exit OR making a u-turn, they are -required- to enter into the inside lane. People who are on the outside lane are not -allowed- to go 3/4 or all the way around the circle.

[VApeople]

The inside lane is for people who are going past their own next exit. If they're going around 2 exits, or 3 exits, or making a complete u-turn. In fact, if they are going to their third exit OR making a u-turn, they are -required- to enter into the inside lane. People who are on the outside lane are not -allowed- to go 3/4 or all the way around the circle.

You and I and most other villagers agree. However, we are aware that some drivers do not agree with us.

That is why I drive slowly thru a roundabout and always have one hand on my horn, and I use it very frequently.

[Laker14]

They are not talking about pulling out into the intersection when the light is RED. Pull out into the intersection when the light is GREEN. Then when there's a gap in the oncoming traffic or when the oncoming traffic stops, you can make your left hand turn, even if the light has now turned RED.

That's perfectly legal because you ENTERED the intersection when the light was GREEN.

This is the way I was taught in Driver's Ed in 1969, in Ohio. Also, I was taught to keep your wheels straight while waiting, so that if you get back-ended you don't get driven into the oncoming lane.
Some young people in my community up north were killed a few years ago when they had their wheel turned anticipating the left turn, and got rear-ended. Keep the wheels straight.

[J1ceasar]

If all of the seniors would actually turn their heads to look left and right then they wouldn't be any accidents until then I'll stay in the right hand lane and they're simply is not enough time when you're doing 30 miles an hour or 50 like some of them do to go from one lane to the other to turn in 25 ft

[J1ceasar]

Again and again I believe the lights your timed so you do not speed. Please remember Leesburg itself has many many retail stores that are small and have inlets and outlets going on to the highway so the speed limit is less. It's for your safety as well as mine so next time you see someone pulling out of Wendy's you're not doing 55 mph but you're doing 35 etc etc etc. And if you don't like 27 in Leesburg please stay in the bubble

[J1ceasar]

Actually I think the main problem with the roundabouts is that most drivers are doing or trying to do 55 like a highway and passing people on the left or the right willy-nilly.

[J1ceasar]

By the way for all the complainers, the only thing that actually helps is writing to f Dot, it may take 6 months or a year but they do react to your letters by doing personal observation. I have gotten a few extra signs installed on 44

[thevillagernie]

go back up North

[VApeople]

If all of the seniors would actually turn their heads to look left and right then they wouldn't be any accidents until then I'll stay in the right hand lane and they're simply is not enough time when you're doing 30 miles an hour or 50 like some of them do to go from one lane to the other to turn in 25 ft

And if some seniors would use proper punctuation in their messages, then we might be able to understand what they are trying to say.

[golfing eagles]

If all of the seniors would actually turn their heads to look left and right then they wouldn't be any accidents until then I'll stay in the right hand lane and they're simply is not enough time when you're doing 30 miles an hour or 50 like some of them do to go from one lane to the other to turn in 25 ft

Once again I have to ask, as before, in RBs, are you seriously stating that you INTENTIONALLY stay in the right (outer) lane even if you are going around 270 to the 3rd exit?????? If so, you are not only part of the problem and not part of the solution, but EXTREMELY DANGEROUS as well to the rest of us who know what we are doing. Please stay off the road or learn to drive a RB!

[Villagesgal]

I will not enter an intersection to turn left unless it is clear.. I was pulled over by a Sheriff here in Florida and told never to block an intersection, to only go out into the intersection if I could make the left turn without stopping..

Here's how the Department of Licensing interprets the law in the Driver Guide : “Drivers must not enter an intersection unless they can get through it without having to stop.” That would seem to mean that even for left turns you shouldn't pull into the intersection and wait for a gap.

[jswirs]

I agree with most of what you have stated, however, all of this is partly offset by the fact that THERE ARE VERY FEW "NO TURN ON RED" signs here in Fl. I come from Pa., and there are "no turn on red" signs on almost every other intersection. Sometimes I would look and try to understand why there are so many of these signs, many of which do make any sense. Also, Pa. has a speed limit of 5 MPH when going through toll booths, another ridiculous law. Further, I do not see nearly as many cops sitting hidden somewhere with "Itchy ticket fingers", just waiting to catch someone going 7 MPH over the speed limit. These facts offset all of the problems you mention, IMHO.

[Professor]

Sorry you have to live this way. What is your rush anyway...just enjoy being alive with reasonably good health and you will enjoy the day much more...

[Girlcopper]

And by sitting behind the intersection while you have a green light ....and waiting .....instead of proceeding into the intersection, you prevent others behind you from following. As far as I know it is legal and safe for a driver to move into the center of the intersection when the light is green and wait for an opportunity to torn left against oncoming traffic. The light is green!!! Use it! Please!!!
No. Its illegal. Read your traffic laws. You are not permitted to enter an intersection until you have immediate clearance. Though I agree its a pain. Thats the legal way to do it

[Bill14564]

No. Its illegal. Read your traffic laws. You are not permitted to enter an intersection until you have immediate clearance. Though I agree its a pain. Thats the legal way to do it

Do you mean these Florida traffic laws (http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.075.html)? I didn't find any mention of immediate clearance.

The video posted earlier in this thread seems to describe the safe and logical movement of traffic. Personally, I don't like to enter the intersection to make a left unless I have a good reason to believe I will be able to complete my turn *before* the light turns red. However, the laws above seem to allow a single car to enter the intersection to make a left turn and to wait in the intersection while yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.

[Bilyclub]

No. Its illegal. Read your traffic laws. You are not permitted to enter an intersection until you have immediate clearance. Though I agree its a pain. Thats the legal way to do it

I have gone or thru Florida Chapter 316 and do not see anything like that for left turning vehicles. You obviously were not Florida copper or you would know this law chapter and verse. Quit saying it's illegal without backing it up.

[DAVES]

TRAFFIC CONTROLS IN THE TRI-COUNTIES
Let’s begin with my admitting that I am an impatient son-of-a-gun and if things don’t go my way I have a hissy fit.

I have some terrible issues with the traffic controls in Tri-Counties. I have lived in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, California and Florida (Miami, Sarasota, St. Pete, Tampa, Jacksonville, Tallahassee and now The Villages) and I have never experienced the traffic controls like the ones we face daily….if we’re out on the highways.
In most other locations, the traffic engineers time the traffic signals to have an orderly flow of traffic. The primary issue is, of course, is SAFETY. The flow of traffic traveling at the posted speed limit should be able to continue through the traffic signals without having to stop. But not here. If you drive on US 441/27 you are lucky if you can get through two traffic signals without stopping and I mean lucky. Most of the time, you will have to stop at every stinking light. We drove through Leesburg this morning and every….EVERY light caught us.

And, I have never experienced the left turn arrow as we have here. In most locations, other than the tri-counties, you may have a left turn arrow, which gives you total right of way against opposing traffic. When that turn arrow goes to caution (yellow) you know that your right of way against opposing traffic is about to cease and you need to prepare to stop. But, then after the caution light goes off, you have a green light….in most other locations; but you also have opposing traffic, so you have better wait until you have a break in traffic before your turn left. Here, in the tri-counties, the turn arrow goes to red and you sit and sit and sit, even though there may not be any traffic coming at you. And that’s compounded by some wonderful driver who will not pull out into the intersection so that they can turn left when the traffic has a gap or when the light turns red. AAAARRRRGGGG!!!

Another wonderful bit of timing frequently occurs and the intersection of Buenos Aries and Hwy 466. Those lights are so timed that there may be no traffic at all allowed through in any direction. Cars on 466 in both directions just sit. Traffic on Buenos Aires just sit. Ain’t nobody goin’ no where.

Now can somebody explain to this growly impatient pain in the #$$@ what is going on?

I realize that I can rationalize my feelings with the justification that all that idle time you are just sitting in your automobile is a terrible waste of gasoline, polluting the environment, but I admitted that I am impatient and I am, but my greatest area of impatience is stupidity. You can’t cure stupidity and the traffic controls around here are just stupid.

And….I might add….I love our seasonal neighbors, aka, Snow Birds. They are great people and make great friends and neighbors. It’s those other idiots that come down here and don’t know how to drive around The Villages that get on our nerves. The are arrogant, abusive, antagonistic, rude and just down right nasty and they give a bad name to our wonderful seasonal neighbors whom we love so dearly.

Incidentally, I do not moan and groan about “the developer” making money and increasing prices. They must make a profit. It’s their investment of time, money and resources and they damned sure should make a profit. Do you want to live in a community that was created and controlled by a bunch of idiots? If they didn’t make profits, they would go bankrupt and leave us high and dry to fend for ourselves. But the traffic around here stinks.:ohdear::ohdear::ohdear:


You ask for suggestions. GROW UP. The world does not revolve around you. Nothing ever is or will be perfect in the real world.

[larrycrilley@gmail.com]

These lights are frustrating to me as well. However after spending 40+ years of driving the streets of all 5 Boroughs of NYC. I worked and lived in Queens with a 15 mile commute that was 45 minutes on a good day and well over an hour on most days. I find the traffic conditions here to be nirvana!

[Astron]

TRAFFIC CONTROLS IN THE TRI-COUNTIES
Let’s begin with my admitting that I am an impatient son-of-a-gun and if things don’t go my way I have a hissy fit.

I have some terrible issues with the traffic controls in Tri-Counties. I have lived in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, California and Florida (Miami, Sarasota, St. Pete, Tampa, Jacksonville, Tallahassee and now The Villages) and I have never experienced the traffic controls like the ones we face daily….if we’re out on the highways.
In most other locations, the traffic engineers time the traffic signals to have an orderly flow of traffic. The primary issue is, of course, is SAFETY. The flow of traffic traveling at the posted speed limit should be able to continue through the traffic signals without having to stop. But not here. If you drive on US 441/27 you are lucky if you can get through two traffic signals without stopping and I mean lucky. Most of the time, you will have to stop at every stinking light. We drove through Leesburg this morning and every….EVERY light caught us.

And, I have never experienced the left turn arrow as we have here. In most locations, other than the tri-counties, you may have a left turn arrow, which gives you total right of way against opposing traffic. When that turn arrow goes to caution (yellow) you know that your right of way against opposing traffic is about to cease and you need to prepare to stop. But, then after the caution light goes off, you have a green light….in most other locations; but you also have opposing traffic, so you have better wait until you have a break in traffic before your turn left. Here, in the tri-counties, the turn arrow goes to red and you sit and sit and sit, even though there may not be any traffic coming at you. And that’s compounded by some wonderful driver who will not pull out into the intersection so that they can turn left when the traffic has a gap or when the light turns red. AAAARRRRGGGG!!!

Another wonderful bit of timing frequently occurs and the intersection of Buenos Aries and Hwy 466. Those lights are so timed that there may be no traffic at all allowed through in any direction. Cars on 466 in both directions just sit. Traffic on Buenos Aires just sit. Ain’t nobody goin’ no where.

Now can somebody explain to this growly impatient pain in the #$$@ what is going on?

I realize that I can rationalize my feelings with the justification that all that idle time you are just sitting in your automobile is a terrible waste of gasoline, polluting the environment, but I admitted that I am impatient and I am, but my greatest area of impatience is stupidity. You can’t cure stupidity and the traffic controls around here are just stupid.

And….I might add….I love our seasonal neighbors, aka, Snow Birds. They are great people and make great friends and neighbors. It’s those other idiots that come down here and don’t know how to drive around The Villages that get on our nerves. The are arrogant, abusive, antagonistic, rude and just down right nasty and they give a bad name to our wonderful seasonal neighbors whom we love so dearly.

Incidentally, I do not moan and groan about “the developer” making money and increasing prices. They must make a profit. It’s their investment of time, money and resources and they damned sure should make a profit. Do you want to live in a community that was created and controlled by a bunch of idiots? If they didn’t make profits, they would go bankrupt and leave us high and dry to fend for ourselves. But the traffic around here stinks.:ohdear::ohdear::ohdear:

Relax and enjoy the journey, not just the destination. Spend your energy on actions that you can control, and accept situations that you cannot control. Getting angered by someone you cannot effect just increases stress for you. If traffic light timing bothers you, contact the agency in charge, collect a petition, try to calmly change the situation.
Having lived from Hawaii to New England to Florida, I can say with confidence every locale has it’s unique driving style and unique challenges that will seem wrong to people used to driving in a different locale. Don’t sweat the small stuff, and go with the flow. You really have little else you can do safely. :posting:

[Astron]

TRAFFIC CONTROLS IN THE TRI-COUNTIES
Let’s begin with my admitting that I am an impatient son-of-a-gun and if things don’t go my way I have a hissy fit.

I have some terrible issues with the traffic controls in Tri-Counties. I have lived in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, California and Florida (Miami, Sarasota, St. Pete, Tampa, Jacksonville, Tallahassee and now The Villages) and I have never experienced the traffic controls like the ones we face daily….if we’re out on the highways.
In most other locations, the traffic engineers time the traffic signals to have an orderly flow of traffic. The primary issue is, of course, is SAFETY. The flow of traffic traveling at the posted speed limit should be able to continue through the traffic signals without having to stop. But not here. If you drive on US 441/27 you are lucky if you can get through two traffic signals without stopping and I mean lucky. Most of the time, you will have to stop at every stinking light. We drove through Leesburg this morning and every….EVERY light caught us.

And, I have never experienced the left turn arrow as we have here. In most locations, other than the tri-counties, you may have a left turn arrow, which gives you total right of way against opposing traffic. When that turn arrow goes to caution (yellow) you know that your right of way against opposing traffic is about to cease and you need to prepare to stop. But, then after the caution light goes off, you have a green light….in most other locations; but you also have opposing traffic, so you have better wait until you have a break in traffic before your turn left. Here, in the tri-counties, the turn arrow goes to red and you sit and sit and sit, even though there may not be any traffic coming at you. And that’s compounded by some wonderful driver who will not pull out into the intersection so that they can turn left when the traffic has a gap or when the light turns red. AAAARRRRGGGG!!!

Another wonderful bit of timing frequently occurs and the intersection of Buenos Aries and Hwy 466. Those lights are so timed that there may be no traffic at all allowed through in any direction. Cars on 466 in both directions just sit. Traffic on Buenos Aires just sit. Ain’t nobody goin’ no where.

Now can somebody explain to this growly impatient pain in the #$$@ what is going on?

I realize that I can rationalize my feelings with the justification that all that idle time you are just sitting in your automobile is a terrible waste of gasoline, polluting the environment, but I admitted that I am impatient and I am, but my greatest area of impatience is stupidity. You can’t cure stupidity and the traffic controls around here are just stupid.

And….I might add….I love our seasonal neighbors, aka, Snow Birds. They are great people and make great friends and neighbors. It’s those other idiots that come down here and don’t know how to drive around The Villages that get on our nerves. The are arrogant, abusive, antagonistic, rude and just down right nasty and they give a bad name to our wonderful seasonal neighbors whom we love so dearly.

Incidentally, I do not moan and groan about “the developer” making money and increasing prices. They must make a profit. It’s their investment of time, money and resources and they damned sure should make a profit. Do you want to live in a community that was created and controlled by a bunch of idiots? If they didn’t make profits, they would go bankrupt and leave us high and dry to fend for ourselves. But the traffic around here stinks.:ohdear::ohdear::ohdear:

Relax and enjoy the journey, not just the destination. Spend your energy on actions that you can control, and accept situations that you cannot control. Getting angered by someone you cannot effect just increases stress for you. If traffic light timing bothers you, contact the agency in charge, collect a petition, try to calmly change the situation.
Having lived from Hawaii to New England to Florida, I can say with confidence every locale has it’s unique driving style and unique challenges that will seem wrong to people used to driving in a different locale. Don’t sweat the small stuff, and go with the flow. You really have little else you can do safely. :posting:

[golfing eagles]

Relax and enjoy the journey, not just the destination. Spend your energy on actions that you can control, and accept situations that you cannot control. Getting angered by someone you cannot effect just increases stress for you. If traffic light timing bothers you, contact the agency in charge, collect a petition, try to calmly change the situation.
Having lived from Hawaii to New England to Florida, I can say with confidence every locale has it’s unique driving style and unique challenges that will seem wrong to people used to driving in a different locale. Don’t sweat the small stuff, and go with the flow. You really have little else you can do safely. :posting:

Did this post evolve, change or take on increased importance in the last 1 hour and 20 minutes???:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[VApeople]

Once again I have to ask, as before, in RBs, are you seriously stating that you INTENTIONALLY stay in the right (outer) lane even if you are going around 270 to the 3rd exit?????? If so, you are not only part of the problem and not part of the solution, but EXTREMELY DANGEROUS as well to the rest of us who know what we are doing. Please stay off the road or learn to drive a RB!

Dream on. They will not stay off the road.

We just have to learn how to deal with them.

[Bilyclub]

Relax and enjoy the journey, not just the destination. Spend your energy on actions that you can control, and accept situations that you cannot control. Getting angered by someone you cannot effect just increases stress for you. If traffic light timing bothers you, contact the agency in charge, collect a petition, try to calmly change the situation.
Having lived from Hawaii to New England to Florida, I can say with confidence every locale has it’s unique driving style and unique challenges that will seem wrong to people used to driving in a different locale. Don’t sweat the small stuff, and go with the flow. You really have little else you can do safely. :posting:


Nothing like thinking your post is so good you post it twice.:MOJE_whot::boom::pray:

[graciegirl]

Drive carefully. You are important to the rest of us.

[golfing eagles]

Dream on. They will not stay off the road.

We just have to learn how to deal with them.

I just hope that person understands that when (not if) he gets in an accident in a RB, it is HE that will get a ticket, it is HIS insurance that will pay to fix BOTH vehicles, it is HIS insurance premium that will skyrocket, and God forbid there is any personal injury he better hope he has a large umbrella policy, because Dan Newlin/Morgan & Morgan will have a field day

[Laker14]

Sometimes, you just have to chill. It will be OK. R-E-L-A-X....reeeelaxxxxx......

[VApeople]

I just hope that person understands that when (not if) he gets in an accident in a RB, it is HE that will get a ticket

We all know he does not understand that he is in the wrong. He thinks he is in the right.

That's why we gotta expect him to do what he does.

[Bilyclub]

Again and again I believe the lights your timed so you do not speed. Please remember Leesburg itself has many many retail stores that are small and have inlets and outlets going on to the highway so the speed limit is less. It's for your safety as well as mine so next time you see someone pulling out of Wendy's you're not doing 55 mph but you're doing 35 etc etc etc. And if you don't like 27 in Leesburg please stay in the bubble

From your previous posts you show disdain for TV, so since you live in Leesburg, please stay out of our bubble.

[DaveGodin]

An Orlando TV station ran a short video created by some young folks just as impatient as you seem to be. In the video, 4 guys jumped out of their car, set up a card table and chairs, and played cards while they waited for the light to change. I've never seen a period between light changes anywhere as long as they are in Florida. After a while I've become numb to it.

[Joe V.]

An Orlando TV station ran a short video created by some young folks just as impatient as you seem to be. In the video, 4 guys jumped out of their car, set up a card table and chairs, and played cards while they waited for the light to change. I've never seen a period between light changes anywhere as long as they are in Florida. After a while I've become numb to it.

Guess you never have driven in San Antonio.

[FLgirlNow]

You are right on so many levels but I will add to your list that people in Florida do not use turn signals.when driving their cars or golf carts. It’s very frustrating and dangerous.
I agree. Please use your turn signals! And even more dangerous are those in a golf cart or a motorcycle with a left-turn signal on at a 4-way stop and then they go STRAIGHT. I almost hit a bike that way up by Publix in SSpgs. We both came to the stop at the same time across from each other. I had my left turn signal on and so did he. I stopped at the stop sign and then started again with a left-hand turn and at the same time he hit his gas on his bike and instead of making the left-hand turn he went STRAIGHT in front of me. I slammed on the brakes and he swerved and it was a near miss. He probably noticed his signal was on later and realized he would have been at fault IF he had lived (no helmet!). So ... signals are great, but PLEASE make sure your bike or golf cart's signals aren't on when you think they're off. Saw the same thing up at the Chula Vista Rec Center. Golf car approaching with right-hand signal on and another car making a left-hand turn onto Rio Grande. Golf cart was moving pretty fast and it didn't turn and went straight in front of the car. Other car obviously had a pretty good driver to realize what that cart was doing and he hadn't pulled out for his left avoiding an accident.

[Willow&Darla]

Why get yourself stressed out over small things? Give yourself more driving time to your desired destination and take deep breaths while waiting for the red light to change. Works well for me.

[VApeople]

Other car obviously had a pretty good driver to realize what that cart was doing and he hadn't pulled out for his left avoiding an accident.

All of us who survive driving in The Villages are "pretty good drivers". We pay attention when we drive and expect the unexpected.

[nn0wheremann]

I think the traffic lights on 441/27 are controlled by magnetic sensors at the stop lines by the cross streets. If no traffic on the cross street the lights stay green. Sometimes.

As to taking possession of the intersection awaiting a left turn against opposing traffic, that may be Gospel in Chicago or other high traffic density locales, but so far as I can determine the practice will get you a ticket in Florida. Besides some young bozo in a pickup truck will probably run the red light against you and leave you stranded there.

What gets my goat is the unpredictability of the left turn arrow lights. Some come on when the your traffic direction goes green. Some allow left turns in both directions at once. Some come on after your traffic direction goes from green to red but before the cross street gets the green. I don't know if the left turn arrows are randomly generated or controlled by the phase of the moon. Welcome to Florida.

[Joe V.]

Besides some young bozo in a pickup truck will probably run the red light against you and leave you stranded there.



Or some old-fart in a 1991 Mercury Marquis ....