Traffic

[Michael G.]

A lot has been written about traffic in the past on various roads, streets, and round abouts, and not only snow bird season etc.etc.

But one needs to ask:

Do you think this year the traffic around central Florida and the villages sucks?

It's getting so bad that if the sun is out, stay home from running your weekly errands.
:shocked:

[Bill14564]

A lot has been written about traffic in the past on various roads, streets, and round abouts, and not only snow bird season etc.etc.

But one needs to ask:

Do you think this year the traffic around central Florida and the villages sucks?

It's getting so bad that if the sun is out, stay home from running your weekly errands.
:shocked:

No worse than last year. A bit surprising that drivers do the same dumb things year after year, you would think they would be more creative and come up with new dumb things to do.

[golfing eagles]

No worse than last year. A bit surprising that drivers do the same dumb things year after year, you would think they would be more creative and come up with new dumb things to do.

Or, surprising they haven't killed each other off by now

[Happydaz]

A lot has been written about traffic in the past on various roads, streets, and round abouts, and not only snow bird season etc.etc.

But one needs to ask:

Do you think this year the traffic around central Florida and the villages sucks?

It's getting so bad that if the sun is out, stay home from running your weekly errands.
:shocked:

Traffic is much worse than last year especially around the southern part of the Villages. Roads that used to be low traffic like 466A, Buena Vista and Morse are now more crowded than prior years. I avoid driving if I can. Change is one thing, rapid, unremitting expansion is another.

[JMintzer]

Traffic is much worse than last year especially around the southern part of the Villages. Roads that used to be low traffic like 466A, Buena Vista and Morse are now more crowded than prior years. I avoid driving if I can. Change is one thing, rapid, unremitting expansion is another.

Over the past 2 weeks, I've been on 466A at least a dozen times. I've seen no significant increase in traffic over the last 3 years...

That said, "Traffic" is one of my favorite bands... "Dear Mr. Fantasy" is a killer song!

[Michael G.]

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=96499&stc=1&d=1673797756

[PugMom]

Over the past 2 weeks, I've been on 466A at least a dozen times. I've seen no significant increase in traffic over the last 3 years...

That said, "Traffic" is one of my favorite bands... "Dear Mr. Fantasy" is a killer song!

"Light Up or Leave Me Alone," :jester:

[Mrs.Guy]

Traffic is much worse than last year especially around the southern part of the Villages. Roads that used to be low traffic like 466A, Buena Vista and Morse are now more crowded than prior years. I avoid driving if I can. Change is one thing, rapid, unremitting expansion is another.

:sigh: That's what I said years ago when they were building the village of Pinellas. Did you ever see Pinellas Pl. when it was a DIRT ROAD? It's very common around here for people to want their home to be the LAST one built. :oops:

[Happydaz]

Over the past 2 weeks, I've been on 466A at least a dozen times. I've seen no significant increase in traffic over the last 3 years...

That said, "Traffic" is one of my favorite bands... "Dear Mr. Fantasy" is a killer song!

Maybe you don’t drive east towards the Trailwinds development on 466A and Wildwood as well as onto 462 or Powell Road. There has been a significant increase in traffic over the last three years. The increased number of accidents at the intersection of 466A and Buena Vista May be an indication of that. If you go west towards Fruitland Park I can see your point that traffic may not have increased.

[Bogie Shooter]

Traffic, just another thing to whine about…………

[Mrs.Guy]

Traffic, just another thing to whine about…………

:icon_wink: My traffic whine is...... too much traffic on I95 South and too little on I95 North. :popcorn:

[DonH57]

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/attachments/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/96499d1673797756-traffic-unnamed-1-jpg

ROFLMAO One of my favorites!:a20:

[Garywt]

I have yet to see any real traffic in the Villages. 5 deep at a traffic light does not constitute traffic.

[justjim]

I have yet to see any real traffic in the Villages. 5 deep at a traffic light does not constitute traffic.

Spot on. Take a drive around Orlando, Tampa, Naples or Fort Myers this time of year and you will see traffic.

[CFrance]

Maybe you don’t drive east towards the Trailwinds development on 466A and Wildwood as well as onto 462 or Powell Road. There has been a significant increase in traffic over the last three years. The increased number of accidents at the intersection of 466A and Buena Vista May be an indication of that. If you go west towards Fruitland Park I can see your point that traffic may not have increased.
I drive that route almost every day (Tamarind Grove Run to St. Charles to Buena Vista to 466A to left on Powell to Huey and the Wildwood dog park). We've lived here since 2012. I see some uptake in the traffic in that area in the last few years. If there's more traffic on 466A between Buena Vista and Powell, though, I would attribute most of it to the new shopping center at Trailwinds. That used to be a cattle field.
The traffic in The Villages is nothing compared to the places we have lived before. I guess it's a matter of perspective.

[Michael G.]

Spot on. Take a drive around Orlando, Tampa, Naples or Fort Myers this time of year and you will see traffic.

No thanks, I'll take your word for it.

[MrChip72]

Go to other popular areas in Florida during peak season (Ft Lauderdale beach, South Beach, Ft Myers beach, etc), and you'll be driving at a pace of around 1 mile every 5 mins, sometimes worse.

[maggie1]

No worse than last year. A bit surprising that drivers do the same dumb things year after year, you would think they would be more creative and come up with new dumb things to do.

Gosh, I sure hope they don't. I've just gotten used to avoiding the ones they've been using during the last ten years we've been here, so I don't need something new to rattle my cage. :cus:

[MandoMan]

A lot has been written about traffic in the past on various roads, streets, and round abouts, and not only snow bird season etc.etc.

But one needs to ask:

Do you think this year the traffic around central Florida and the villages sucks?

It's getting so bad that if the sun is out, stay home from running your weekly errands.
:shocked:

My sense is that during the Covid winter before we got vaccines, traffic was very light, as most groups weren’t meeting and few people were shopping. Traffic this winter seems no worse than last winter. No problem. Easy to manage.

[Rzepecki]

I have yet to see any real traffic in the Villages. 5 deep at a traffic light does not constitute traffic.

Ditto. I don’t know what people are complaining about. The traffic we have in TV is nothing. Always drive defensively and you won’t have a problem.

[bowlingal]

guests, renters, lifestyle people all contribute to the traffic and accidents. Not necessarily snow birds. From now till March 31, be on your guard.

[me4vt]

Traffic is much worse than last year especially around the southern part of the Villages. Roads that used to be low traffic like 466A, Buena Vista and Morse are now more crowded than prior years. I avoid driving if I can. Change is one thing, rapid, unremitting expansion is another.
Just remember, You Village People have caused every bet of it! I remember when it was all Cattle and Orange groves!! The Village People want the same things here they moved from………..

[me4vt]

Maybe you don’t drive east towards the Trailwinds development on 466A and Wildwood as well as onto 462 or Powell Road. There has been a significant increase in traffic over the last three years. The increased number of accidents at the intersection of 466A and Buena Vista May be an indication of that. If you go west towards Fruitland Park I can see your point that traffic may not have increased.
Get this person a compass!

[rjn5656]

As bad as people think our traffic is, I don't think it is bad. I used to drive in NYC, Boston, Philly just to name a few big cities so this traffic is minimal.

[Michael 61]

I just moved here permanently last month- I think traffic is a breeze here - love it

[GizmoWhiskers]

A lot has been written about traffic in the past on various roads, streets, and round abouts, and not only snow bird season etc.etc.

But one needs to ask:

Do you think this year the traffic around central Florida and the villages sucks?

It's getting so bad that if the sun is out, stay home from running your weekly errands.
:shocked:
My shocker last week was turning right across from the Water Lily golf cart bridge that crosses over the turnpike and watching a crotch rocket race up the wrong side of the road to turn left to use the bridge to get to Meggison Rd. When you think you've seen it all... you haven't.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

My shocker last week was turning right across from the Water Lily golf cart bridge that crosses over the turnpike and watching a crotch rocket race up the wrong side of the road to turn left to use the bridge to get to Meggison Rd. When you think you've seen it all... you haven't.

it takes awhile for new retirees to lose the commuter mentality. . . That's part of the problem as well, new retirees who haven't mentally adjusted to a slower lifestyle, trying fit in all the new activities in their new lifestyle.

[Michael G.]

Thank heaven most of us are retired.
I wonder if 85% of TV people had jobs and had to commute every day, if we would be living down here?

[MrFlorida]

Just another reason to stay in the bubble.

[WingedFoot78]

I saw an interesting right turn the other day at 466 and Morse. A north bound car in the left turn lane made a right turn onto 466. He/she did this within a couple of car lengths of the intersection. Just when you thought you'd seen everything...........

[Heytubes]

I laugh and shake my head when making a right hand turn from Morse while going northbound onto 466 from the right hand lane (outside lane) onto the right hand lane (outside lane) of 466 while a southbound driver on Morse makes a left turn onto the outside lane of 466 instead of the inside lane and lays down on their horn. Guess they missed that page in the driver’s manual.

[VApeople]

I laugh and shake my head when making a right hand turn from Morse while going northbound onto 466 from the right hand lane (outside lane) onto the right hand lane (outside lane) of 466 while a southbound driver on Morse makes a left turn onto the outside lane of 466 instead of the inside lane and lays down on their horn. Guess they missed that page in the driver’s manual.

Do you both have green lights when this happens? If so, you have the right-of-way and he should stop and not turn left.

If the driver going south on Morse has a green light to turn left and you have a red light, you need to STOP and let the other driver have the right-of-way.

[JMintzer]

Maybe you don’t drive east towards the Trailwinds development on 466A and Wildwood as well as onto 462 or Powell Road. There has been a significant increase in traffic over the last three years. The increased number of accidents at the intersection of 466A and Buena Vista May be an indication of that. If you go west towards Fruitland Park I can see your point that traffic may not have increased.

I've been to the Lowes @ Trailwinds multiple times (too much on the "Honey do" list), gone to First Watch, and the new Car Wash in the last several weeks, driving from Morse to Trailwinds and 301...

Went to Darrel's @ Pinellas twice. I use 301 & Powell road often and the only time I've seen significant traffic was when a train came by... (or evening rush hour going south on 301)...

P.S. You've got your East & West backwards...

[JMintzer]

I have yet to see any real traffic in the Villages. 5 deep at a traffic light does not constitute traffic.

Spot on. Take a drive around Orlando, Tampa, Naples or Fort Myers this time of year and you will see traffic.

I drive that route almost every day (Tamarind Grove Run to St. Charles to Buena Vista to 466A to left on Powell to Huey and the Wildwood dog park). We've lived here since 2012. I see some uptake in the traffic in that area in the last few years. If there's more traffic on 466A between Buena Vista and Powell, though, I would attribute most of it to the new shopping center at Trailwinds. That used to be a cattle field.
The traffic in The Villages is nothing compared to the places we have lived before. I guess it's a matter of perspective.

https://media.tenor.com/joaMnbvYJ5gAAAAM/word-amy.gif

[Get real]

and yet people still drive slow in the left lane causing road rage.

[tvbound]

Do you both have green lights when this happens? If so, you have the right-of-way and he should stop and not turn left.

If the driver going south on Morse has a green light to turn left and you have a red light, you need to STOP and let the other driver have the right-of-way.


"If the driver going south on Morse has a green light to turn left and you have a red light, you need to STOP and let the other driver have the right-of-way."



You are absolutely correct and is a big pet peeve of mine.

If I am making a left hand turn with a green arrow (not just a green light) and an opposing driver is making a right-on-red, expect me to be one of those people laying on the horn for the ignorant/self-important person...making that right hand turn against those with a green turn arrow. And yes, I know that I am required to turn left into the left hand lane (if there's two lanes), but why in the world would the right hand turning driver think that their action is OK? Particularly when the left turning person has no idea, if the right hand turning person coming at them, actually understands traffic laws and will stay in the right hand lane after turning? Other than having an 'entitlement/I'm more important than you' attitude - that is.

They are also likely to be the same types who drive the speed limit in the left lane, as traffic builds up behind them.

[wayneman]

Spot on. Take a drive around Orlando, Tampa, Naples or Fort Myers this time of year and you will see traffic.
Exactly, recently went to Orlando, had to get on I-4. Didn’t think i was going to make it out. Crazy traffic, with even crazier drivers.

[Marathon Man]

Traffic is much worse than last year especially around the southern part of the Villages. Roads that used to be low traffic like 466A, Buena Vista and Morse are now more crowded than prior years. I avoid driving if I can. Change is one thing, rapid, unremitting expansion is another.

Perhaps your dislike of the southern growth is skewing your perception of traffic.

[Regorp]

A lot has been written about traffic in the past on various roads, streets, and round abouts, and not only snow bird season etc.etc.

But one needs to ask:

Do you think this year the traffic around central Florida and the villages sucks?

It's getting so bad that if the sun is out, stay home from running your weekly errands.
:shocked:

The worst traffic has to be on 301, south of 44. Every afternoon a parking lot. Future plans call for expanding the lanes to a 4 way, but 2 years away. Snowbirds make it worse.

[Aces4]

The worst traffic has to be on 301, south of 44. Every afternoon a parking lot. Future plans call for expanding the lanes to a 4 way, but 2 years away. Snowbirds make it worse.

I think it’s the full timers that make it worse, if they would leave the traffic would be much better.:ohdear:

[VApeople]

I think it’s the full timers that make it worse, if they would leave the traffic would be much better.:ohdear:

That's funny!

If everyone were full timers, we would never have bad traffic. It would be the same all year long.

[togabill]

Traffic is much worse than last year especially around the southern part of the Villages. Roads that used to be low traffic like 466A, Buena Vista and Morse are now more crowded than prior years. I avoid driving if I can. Change is one thing, rapid, unremitting expansion is another.

Agree!

[Michael G.]

If everyone were full timers, we would never have bad traffic. It would be the same all year long.

Yes, less traffic. :pepper2:

[NewRealms]

Michael, this is season, high season in central FL where snowbirds come to roost. It is the time for locals to hibernate, just like bears do. Everything takes longer to get to and lines are long in stores. It's the price we pay for 7 1/2 months of peaceful bliss. ;-)

[CFrance]

"If the driver going south on Morse has a green light to turn left and you have a red light, you need to STOP and let the other driver have the right-of-way."



You are absolutely correct and is a big pet peeve of mine.

If I am making a left hand turn with a green arrow (not just a green light) and an opposing driver is making a right-on-red, expect me to be one of those people laying on the horn for the ignorant/self-important person...making that right hand turn against those with a green turn arrow. And yes, I know that I am required to turn left into the left hand lane (if there's two lanes), but why in the world would the right hand turning driver think that their action is OK? Particularly when the left turning person has no idea, if the right hand turning person coming at them, actually understands traffic laws and will stay in the right hand lane after turning? Other than having an 'entitlement/I'm more important than you' attitude - that is.

They are also likely to be the same types who drive the speed limit in the left lane, as traffic builds up behind them.
From the Florida Driver's License Handbook:
"Finish your turn in the proper lane. A right turn should be from the right lane into the right lane of the roadway entered. A left turn may be completed in any lane lawfully available, or safe, for the desired direction of travel. See the diagrams for making left turns from or into one-way streets."


If I'm reading this correctly, it seems like when turning left onto a four-lane road, you can turn into either lane.

[Ray Greene]

There is no traffic here. Try Miami or the cross Bronx expressway, or The 305 in L.A. , then you’ll find out what traffic really is about!

[Veiragirl]

A lot has been written about traffic in the past on various roads, streets, and round abouts, and not only snow bird season etc.etc.

But one needs to ask:

Do you think this year the traffic around central Florida and the villages sucks?

It's getting so bad that if the sun is out, stay home from running your weekly errands.
:shocked:

Perhaps it's because of the ridiculas OVER BUILDING south of 44. I've lived here for 10 years and never saw it like this . It's not just snow bird traffic it's people across 44 don't have the emenities we have here. I live 15 minutes from Brownwood Square. You can't get a parking spot, have to wait AT ALL restaurants, the crowds are huge at the Square, EVERY DAY. I truly hope all this building doesn't ruin our Village culture.

[JMintzer]

Perhaps it's because of the ridiculas OVER BUILDING south of 44. I've lived here for 10 years and never saw it like this . It's not just snow bird traffic it's people across 44 don't have the emenities we have here. I live 15 minutes from Brownwood Square. You can't get a parking spot, have to wait AT ALL restaurants, the crowds are huge at the Square, EVERY DAY. I truly hope all this building doesn't ruin our Village culture.

When I was down for two weeks in October, I walked into pretty much every single restaurant in Brownwood (without a reservation) and was seated immediately...

Parking was never a problem (we had to park behind the buildings on the square ONCE...

I just returned home from two weeks at our place and the only difference was having to make a reservation (on occasion). The only time we had parking problems was when we went to the Craft Fair last Saturday. We had to wait 5 minutes (at 10:30 am) at the Flying Biscuit to get a table for breakfast...

I was able to play golf 3-4 X's a week, get on pickleball courts, pretty much do the same things I do when I'm down in the Spring/Summer...