Golf Cart Close Calls all in one week

[Weiserj]

Last week we had several close calls...
First, coming out of a tunnel and coming up around a curve, a cart loaded with 4 , with a young driver, came over the center and just missed us. There was heavy traffic and I had my own visitors in my cart or I might of turned around and tried to find them.
Second, a truck almost ran into our cart in the Brownwood parking lot heading to the the bridge. Had I not screamed, I think we would of been T-boned. He was sitting at a stop and just pulled out.
In addition, we were headed down to the lowlands when a cart came by, headed to Brownwood, and a child (maybe around 10) was driving with a sr (maybe a grandfather?) in the passenger seat 😡 This deeply upsets me. I want more awareness and personal responsibility for cart driving but not sure how. Ideas? Note- the golf cart stores don’t even rent carts to anyone under 25, I was told.

[Two Bills]

Got to be fake news.
Everyone knows only snowbirds drive badly, and they have flown the coop!:icon_wink:

[JohnN]

I had a golf cart driven by a 10 year old hit my car while it was in my drive-way !
Nothing surprises me around here.

[VApeople]

Ideas?

Drive a car instead of a golf cart. That works for us.

[golfing eagles]

Drive a car instead of a golf cart. That works for us.

Won't work too well on a golf course:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[vintageogauge]

Always be defensive whether on a golf cart, automobile, bike or just walking.

[bobdeb]

There are places (towns, etc.) that require a golf cart driver to be a licensed driver to drive on public roads. I know because I live in one.

The Villages is insane in allowing younger drivers.

[MrFlorida]

It looks like anybody of any age will come here and be allowed to drive a golf cart, that needs to be changed, these are not toys.

[golfing eagles]

Last week we had several close calls...
First, coming out of a tunnel and coming up around a curve, a cart loaded with 4 , with a young driver, came over the center and just missed us. There was heavy traffic and I had my own visitors in my cart or I might of turned around and tried to find them.
Second, a truck almost ran into our cart in the Brownwood parking lot heading to the the bridge. Had I not screamed, I think we would of been T-boned. He was sitting at a stop and just pulled out.
In addition, we were headed down to the lowlands when a cart came by, headed to Brownwood, and a child (maybe around 10) was driving with a sr (maybe a grandfather?) in the passenger seat 😡 This deeply upsets me. I want more awareness and personal responsibility for cart driving but not sure how. Ideas? Note- the golf cart stores don’t even rent carts to anyone under 25, I was told.

Please don't get "deeply upset" over this, especially on your first post. After a few years, you'll find the incidents you described are actually a light week.

[VApeople]

Ideas?

So does anyone else have any suggestions to help the OP?

We have only been here for five years and we arrived soon after two ladies were killed in a golf cart accident at Colony.

Which has caused more deaths - golf cart or car accidents?

[retiredguy123]

I would never feel safe in a golf cart, except on a golf course. That is why they call it a golf cart.

[asianthree]

So does anyone else have any suggestions to help the OP?

We have only been here for five years and we arrived soon after two ladies were killed in a golf cart accident at Colony.

Which has caused more deaths - golf cart or car accidents?

You forgot those walking in the road and have been hit at a blind curve

[Mortal1]

There are places (towns, etc.) that require a golf cart driver to be a licensed driver to drive on public roads. I know because I live in one.

The Villages is insane in allowing younger drivers.

to drive a cart is 14 years of age...accompanied by a responsible adult. Needless to say those that let younger children than 14 are stupid...as are those who allow a cartload of teens to take the cart out on their own...STUPID. Ya just can't fix it.

[BobnBev]

There are places (towns, etc.) that require a golf cart driver to be a licensed driver to drive on public roads. I know because I live in one.

The Villages is insane in allowing younger drivers.

Are you from Old Saybrook?

[bobdeb]

Are you from Old Saybrook?

I summer on an Island up in Maine.

[Ele201]

I understand what you’re saying. I don’t take my golf cart out much at all. Frankly the roundabouts make me nervous, and there are blind spots to be aware of. This is supposed to be the “off season.” Yet Lake Sumter town center is jam packed with golf carts and cars when I’ve been there lately. At times I just use Uber. Last week we had several close calls...
First, coming out of a tunnel and coming up around a curve, a cart loaded with 4 , with a young driver, came over the center and just missed us. There was heavy traffic and I had my own visitors in my cart or I might of turned around and tried to find them.
Second, a truck almost ran into our cart in the Brownwood parking lot heading to the the bridge. Had I not screamed, I think we would of been T-boned. He was sitting at a stop and just pulled out.
In addition, we were headed down to the lowlands when a cart came by, headed to Brownwood, and a child (maybe around 10) was driving with a sr (maybe a grandfather?) in the passenger seat 😡 This deeply upsets me. I want more awareness and personal responsibility for cart driving but not sure how. Ideas? Note- the golf cart stores don’t even rent carts to anyone under 25, I was told.

[MandoMan]

So does anyone else have any suggestions to help the OP?

We have only been here for five years and we arrived soon after two ladies were killed in a golf cart accident at Colony.

Which has caused more deaths - golf cart or car accidents?

Yes. If you aren’t on a golf course, always require seatbelt use for everyone in your cart. It makes a huge difference if there is an accident. It’s so embarrassing when you take a left turn too quickly and your significant other goes flying out the side.

[golfing eagles]

I understand what you’re saying. I don’t take my golf cart out much at all. Frankly the roundabouts make me nervous, and there are blind spots to be aware of. This is supposed to be the “off season.” Yet Lake Sumter town center is jam packed with golf carts and cars when I’ve been there lately. At times I just use Uber.

So, to be clear, you moved to a golf cart community but have a fear of golf carts? Sort of like having coulrophobia and enrolling in a clown college:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[jakers]

Some grandparents seem to think that their perfect grandchild couldn’t possibly be careless or irresponsible...or take into account the lack of experience.

[airdale2]

But MY grandson is SPECIAL, very smart and far above others his age!

[Girlcopper]

I would never feel safe in a golf cart, except on a golf course. That is why they call it a golf cart.
Exactly. While the majority of TV residents want to use it as primary transportation then they take their chances. Golf carts n cars dont mix on the same rd or pkg lot. As far as cart to cart accidents? Same as car to car. Either live with it or stay home. Nothing will change

[VApeople]

So, to be clear, you moved to a golf cart community but have a fear of golf carts?

Yep, that's us.

Even though I have played a lot of golf, and still do, I have a real dislike of golf carts. I don't have a fear of golf carts as long as they are parked with no one in them.

Fortunately, we can drive our lovely cars wherever we want to go, and we can walk the Exec courses for free.

[Topspinmo]

You can’t go mile on golf cart path without a near miss. One reason, they put to may curves in paths that didn’t need to be there. People cut the corners off, come around corners too fast hogging more than half the path. Now add bikes, skaters, and walkers walking 2,3, 4, abreast that refuse to walk single file when traffic approaching, That hogging the path not sharing.

If you’re not paying attention you’re going to have several near missed. Another problem in diamond lanes golf cart driver attempts to make left turn from diamond lane which will get you killed faster than anything. You got to pull out in traffic before you plan on turning to make left turn safely, or you risk getting T-boned.

Now shall we mention the golfer’s speeding to next tee times going 25 plus? Or the living large knees hanging well outside the cart? One last problem everybody think’s they are right and the safest drivers ever to go down roadway. Add all that up and yes, several near misses in week or day or hour.

[Topspinmo]

So, to be clear, you moved to a golf cart community but have a fear of golf carts? Sort of like having coulrophobia and enrolling in a clown college:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

Need to add that to hate list. Dogs, dog poop, roundabouts, left lane drivers, seat savers ( o wait not problem no seats to save now). :)

[Topspinmo]

But MY grandson is SPECIAL, very smart and far above others his age!

Well, my grandsons are even better than that!:1rotfl:

[toeser]

"came over the center and just missed us."

This has happened to me multiple times while riding my bicycle. There is a minority of golf cart drivers who have zero respect for the imaginary center line.

[sail33or]

Just posting in order to possibly prevent even one bad accident.

A very dangerous situation is when you are (in a car or cart) in the right turning lane beside a huge SUV or Contractor Truck and can not see cross traffic. If you inch ahead to see if you can turn right a golf cart can hit you. I have even had the vehicle on my left turn right into me as I was in a cart.

Then I have seen cars make a right turn directly across the golf cart lane with carts even with them.

Very dangerous is crossing a country club driveway on the MM pathway when cars can turn into the driveway from the road.

And yesterday I saw a Cart with grandpa driving and two small children were "standing" on the rear facing seat wrestling each other and dangling over the sides.

But the most accidents I have seen is in Parking Lots. Carts and Cars coming and going from every direction.

[MollyJo]

Seems one would need a drivers license. If 10 y/o causes an accident, I guarantee Grandpa would never allow a child to drive his golf cart again… IF he had any money left to buy a golf cart AND found someone to insure him!

[rochellepfaff]

It looks like anybody of any age will come here and be allowed to drive a golf cart, that needs to be changed, these are not toys.

Not true that The Villages allows anyone to drive a golf cart. All drivers must be at least 14 years old. It's the law. The Villages reminds us of that frequently in the paper, and in The Villages New.net. And all of the rental places know that. Anyone who allows a child younger that 14 is legally liable for any damages or injuries the young driver causes.

[golfing eagles]

Not true that The Villages allows anyone to drive a golf cart. All drivers must be at least 14 years old. It's the law. The Villages reminds us of that frequently in the paper, and in The Villages New.net. And all of the rental places know that. Anyone who allows a child younger that 14 is legally liable for any damages or injuries the young driver causes.

And children 14-18 as well. And yourself as well, Dan Newlin will make sure of it:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[bobdeb]

Not true that The Villages allows anyone to drive a golf cart. All drivers must be at least 14 years old. It's the law. The Villages reminds us of that frequently in the paper, and in The Villages New.net. And all of the rental places know that. Anyone who allows a child younger that 14 is legally liable for any damages or injuries the young driver causes.

How is this enforced?

[bobdeb]

Please try not to get into a 'twist' over this. I'm not proposing anything here. It's just my experience with golf cart usage on public roads outside of TV.

All golf carts must have proof of insurance and then be registered. The registration includes a form of proof of registration and date stickers to be displayed on both the front and back of the cart.

Each cart also displays the owner's address displayed on the back. Something like your home number on your Villages ID card. OMG, folks would know where you live...

You must have a valid driver's license to operate. If stopped for a violation and you don't have a license and proof of insurance... well, same as if you are driving your vehicle in the Villages.

I'm not proposing all of this. It's just my experience. But having a valid driver's license seems extremely practical to me. Or, some other form of identification if you don't or can't drive.

I know the sheriff up here personally. They are very accommodating and kind to folks. You would likely just get warnings.

Ok, I guess I proposed a valid license or ID though...

[John41]

Last week we had several close calls...
First, coming out of a tunnel and coming up around a curve, a cart loaded with 4 , with a young driver, came over the center and just missed us. There was heavy traffic and I had my own visitors in my cart or I might of turned around and tried to find them.
Second, a truck almost ran into our cart in the Brownwood parking lot heading to the the bridge. Had I not screamed, I think we would of been T-boned. He was sitting at a stop and just pulled out.
In addition, we were headed down to the lowlands when a cart came by, headed to Brownwood, and a child (maybe around 10) was driving with a sr (maybe a grandfather?) in the passenger seat 😡 This deeply upsets me. I want more awareness and personal responsibility for cart driving but not sure how. Ideas? Note- the golf cart stores don’t even rent carts to anyone under 25, I was told.

Avoid driving your cart around holidays when kids are likely to be visiting. Turn on your cart lights to be more visible. Use your horn proactively to alert other vehicles.

[Billy1]

Villages refers to them as golf cars.

[DAVES]

Seems one would need a drivers license. If 10 y/o causes an accident, I guarantee Grandpa would never allow a child to drive his golf cart again… IF he had any money left to buy a golf cart AND found someone to insure him!

There is a big difference between reality and should be. Insurance, liability only matters if you have something to take. Years ago I spoke to a friend actually he is a good driver, he has a home, four kids and a huge boat. I asked him what he carries for auto insurance.
His reply sort of shocked me. He has the minimum insurance to get plates on his car.
Reason in his own words, he owes more on his house than it is worth and more on his boat than it is worth. There is nothing worth taking.

An attorney will not handle the case if there is nothing to take. Florida real estate is weird
they will not take your home.

[DAVES]

How is this enforced?

Much law is not enforced. The question is do we want it enforced? People actually stopping for a stop sign? Turn signals? Proper speed? For that matter a cop, yes, your honor he was driving a red Yamaha doing 22 mph. How did you determine the speed?
What proof do you have it was him or her or that is his golf cart? Well you honor I cuffed him and we kept him in jail for 3 days due to the holiday week end.

Then there was a caning, public whipping for stealing a poster.

Nothing is perfect. Beware of what you want. If, you get what you want will you still want it?

Self responsibility? You only need to read the posts.

[stebooo]

Who says they allow young drivers.?

[bobdeb]

I would hope that a 16 or 17 year old with a driver's license is more capable than a 12 or 14 year old with little or no experience.

Of course your kids and mileage may vary.

[PugMom]

Are you from Old Saybrook?

i love old saybrook, & the rte 1 drive. :)

[graciegirl]

How is this enforced?

It is a STATE LAW. It can be enforced. There are not too many lawbreakers around here. BUT..............

More than two dozen people have been killed in Golf Cart accidents in The Villages over the past two dozen years.

Seat belts help keep you safe but be careful and everyone slow down and quit acting like Barney Oatfield. There is no side to our carts and the lid isn't going to help much in a roll over.

Most people have good sense. If we get into the license stuff and the policing the paths than payment for those services ultimately come out of all of our pockets. And I will stop there.

[Curtisbwp]

Just like anywhere in the USA it is YOUR responsibility to keep yourself and your love ones safe. ALWAYS drive defensively, anticipate the unexpected. God be with you.

[Retiring]

In April I saw a driver (car) change lanes and cutting cars off within a roundabout. I was behind the car and watched as they weaved (within their lane) and change lanes often without looking, coming close to catastrophe. When the lady stopped at the store and got out, she was 4’11” about 80 lbs (in other words she looked frail) and at least 120 years old. Till this day I feel I should have called 911 when I was driving behind her witnessing this mess. I fear she will hurt herself or an innocent victim. I didn’t call anyone because the ‘mind your own business' NYer in me comes to the surface sometimes. When you’re raised in a culture of ‘snitches get stitches’ it’s difficult to change. How do you deal with an obviously poor driver?

[manaboutown]

Years ago I interviewed a young lady for a position at my firm. She had a huge prominent scar at the base of her throat. She brought it up, not me, that she had been in a horrific accident, her car being hit by a car driven by an older individual who should not have been driving anymore. It nearly killed her. She told me she reported such drivers to the police whenever she spotted one who might be a problem. She had turned in a few who lost their licenses as a result. She no doubt saved some lives.

After my mother had some mini-strokes she wanted to keep driving. I took her out on a road test and it was apparent she should no longer drive. My statement to her came like a bolt of lightning out of the blue, "Mom, how would you feel if you hit a child?". That convinced her to give up her car keys.

[VApeople]

How do you deal with an obviously poor driver?

I think you already know

Till this day I feel I should have called 911

You should have called 911. While you were waiting for them to arrive, you should have prevented her from getting back into her car. A security person at the store could have helped you.

Would I do that myself? I doubt it.

But now that I have posted my response to your question, I will think about it, and I will see what I have the ambition to do when I see a driver like her.