Making directional signs more prominent?

[Dotneko]

Yesterday, Sunday, we were driving up Morse in our car. Wondered why cars were pulling right. Turns out there were two women in a golf cart doing 20 mph. Clearly lost, in the left lane of Morse in a non-street worthy cart. By the time we were able to react, we were by them in traffic, so unable to help.
They must have turned onto Morse from a village and missed the 'no carts beyond this point' sign. This happens frequently. Shouldnt the signs be made brighter, larger, orange or something? Also the entrance to the golf cart paths need to be made more clearly cart only so that automobiles arent found on the Brownwood and Lake Deaton golf cart bridges.
How do we fix this? Who do we contact?

[Bogie Shooter]

Yesterday, Sunday, we were driving up Morse in our car. Wondered why cars were pulling right. Turns out there were two women in a golf cart doing 20 mph. Clearly lost, in the left lane of Morse in a non-street worthy cart. By the time we were able to react, we were by them in traffic, so unable to help.
They must have turned onto Morse from a village and missed the 'no carts beyond this point' sign. This happens frequently. Shouldnt the signs be made brighter, larger, orange or something? Also the entrance to the golf cart paths need to be made more clearly cart only so that automobiles arent found on the Brownwood and Lake Deaton golf cart bridges.
How do we fix this? Who do we contact?

Does not happen frequently…….

[villagetinker]

OP, you can try contacting the local CDD, however all of the roads (with the exception of villa areas) are county roads, so the final authority is probably the county.

[Dotneko]

Does not happen frequently…….

Define frequently. 4x in the last 6 months is pretty frequent to me. YMMV.
We were able to reroute 2 of them. One gave us the finger.

[Bilyclub]

For all the carts out here it doesn’t happen that frequently. They need to educate people before they buy/rent a cart.

[CarlR33]

Your post reminds me of the problem with wrong way drivers getting on the interstate when there are clearly signs posted on the ramps. It’s not always the signage but lack of awareness of the driver, IMO. Just passed a cart on Meggison the other day, cart in the cart lane elderly driver with cell phone up in left side ear (cars passing side). Do you think their number one concern was driving?

[BrianL99]

Does not happen frequently…….

Define frequently. 4x in the last 6 months is pretty frequent to me. YMMV.
We were able to reroute 2 of them. One gave us the finger.

4 times?

Not week goes by, I don't see a golf cart driving on a road it shouldn't be on or driving on a cart path. This was last week, on my way home from Palmer Legends (Florida plates on the car). This was the 3rd time in 2025, I've seen a car on a cart path.

[GpaVader]

. One gave us the finger.

I guess they were rerouting you...:crap2:

[tjdmlhw]

Unless they have installed one recently, there is no 'no carts beyond this point' sign on Steelwater Trail at Morse Boulevard. The first day I was in The Villages, I ended up on Morse because there was nothing telling me I shouldn't take the golf cart through the gate. I could see golf carts on the MMP as I crossed over the Lake Sumter bridge but had no idea how to get there. It was a scary few minutes until I finally got off at the Mission Hills entrance and got on the path.

[Bill14564]

Define frequently. 4x in the last 6 months is pretty frequent to me. YMMV.
We were able to reroute 2 of them. One gave us the finger.

MMDV

I have made the mistake, once. In my four years here full time what I have seen is 1:1:1
- one cart on a road it should not be
- one cart appeared to be on a road it should not be but was actually a tagged LSV
- one cart pull through a gate, immediately realize its mistake, and U-turn back towards the cart path

Four times in six months? What area was that in?

[fdpaq0580]

One avoidable accident is one too many. Jmho.

[tophcfa]

I’ve always wondered why they put very indiscreet small print signs, with no lighting or reflective night viewing assistance, in a senior community where the general populations eyesight is not what it once was. Go figure?

[BrianL99]

I’ve always wondered why they put very indiscreet small print signs, with no lighting or reflective night viewing assistance, in a senior community where the general populations eyesight is not what it once was. Go figure?

Ambience over practicality.

[bob47]

MMDV

I have made the mistake, once. In my four years here full time what I have seen is 1:1:1
- one cart on a road it should not be
- one cart appeared to be on a road it should not be but was actually a tagged LSV
- one cart pull through a gate, immediately realize its mistake, and U-turn back towards the cart path

Four times in six months? What area was that in?

Do the math. 140,000 people, each making the mistake once in 4 years, is 35,000 mistakes each year, or 96 mistakes every day.

[Bill14564]

Do the math. 140,000 people, each making the mistake once in 4 years, is 35,000 mistakes each year, or 96 mistakes every day.

And yet we don't hear of 96 every day, or 96 every month, or 96 every year, or even 96 in the last four years.

As for the math, 140,000 people did not all arrive last year. We don't even hear about an incident for each of the 4,000 who arrive each year.

Either:
1. There is carnage on our highways that <the paper that shall not be named but is always looking out for things to criticize the Villages over> isn't reporting
OR
2. Not everyone makes the mistake before learning to avoid it. (even my wife and I only made the mistake once for the two of us)

[shut the front door]

Ambience over practicality.

Bingo. The Villages is about appearances.
It's about selling homes, nothing more.

[Altavia]

We're seeing golf carts on Marsh Bend Trail much more frequently (as much as several times a day) with the Lifestyle homes in Wellpoint and even Middleton people in their 4-6 passenger carts, some carrying children.

The signage could be more prominent.

Maybe clear instruction in the Lifestyle carts to look for the signs and the distinction between paths with two posts vs one post could help.

[Dotneko]

MMDV

I have made the mistake, once. In my four years here full time what I have seen is 1:1:1
- one cart on a road it should not be
- one cart appeared to be on a road it should not be but was actually a tagged LSV
- one cart pull through a gate, immediately realize its mistake, and U-turn back towards the cart path.

Four times in six months? What area was that in?

Yesterday was on Morse near the fire station on Odell by the driving range.
The middle finger one was the known scofflaw too lazy to go to the golf cart crossing beyond Sawgrass and instead goes through the roundabout from St Cats to Cason Hammock. I would love to see a cop get him.
Third was a cart from Richmond going to Lake Okahumpka rec center by way of the roadway/roundabout instead of backtracking onto the golf cart path near the Water Lily Bridge
Fourth was a cart missing the path turnoff in front of Rohan on Kristine Way and heading to Morse - we were able to catch their attention at the roundabout.
Oh, forgot about the cart going through the lights at Colony and missing the golf cart path turn at the light.
These were all in our 'hood' since thats where the majority of time is spent.

[Bill14564]

Yesterday was on Morse near the fire station on Odell by the driving range.
The middle finger one was the known scofflaw too lazy to go to the golf cart crossing beyond Sawgrass and instead goes through the roundabout from St Cats to Cason Hammock. I would love to see a cop get him.
Third was a cart from Richmond going to Lake Okahumpka rec center by way of the roadway/roundabout instead of backtracking onto the golf cart path near the Water Lily Bridge
Fourth was a cart missing the path turnoff in front of Rohan on Kristine Way and heading to Morse - we were able to catch their attention at the roundabout.
Oh, forgot about the cart going through the lights at Colony and missing the golf cart path turn at the light.
These were all in our 'hood' since thats where the majority of time is spent.

That's a pretty spread out 'hood.'

Guess I need to get out more, or pay more attention.

[Bogie Shooter]

Yesterday was on Morse near the fire station on Odell by the driving range.
The middle finger one was the known scofflaw too lazy to go to the golf cart crossing beyond Sawgrass and instead goes through the roundabout from St Cats to Cason Hammock. I would love to see a cop get him.
Third was a cart from Richmond going to Lake Okahumpka rec center by way of the roadway/roundabout instead of backtracking onto the golf cart path near the Water Lily Bridge
Fourth was a cart missing the path turnoff in front of Rohan on Kristine Way and heading to Morse - we were able to catch their attention at the roundabout.
Oh, forgot about the cart going through the lights at Colony and missing the golf cart path turn at the light.
These were all in our 'hood' since thats where the majority of time is spent.

How long was your training to become a deputy?:22yikes::police:

[BrianL99]

Do the math. 140,000 people, each making the mistake once in 4 years, is 35,000 mistakes each year, or 96 mistakes every day.

That sounds more like it. Nice job with the math.

[Altavia]

...

Third was a cart from Richmond going to Lake Okahumpka rec center by way of the roadway/roundabout instead of backtracking onto the golf cart path near the Water Lily Bridge



Seen that several times but did not see a "No golf carts" sign at that intersection?

[golfing eagles]

Unless they have installed one recently, there is no 'no carts beyond this point' sign on Steelwater Trail at Morse Boulevard. The first day I was in The Villages, I ended up on Morse because there was nothing telling me I shouldn't take the golf cart through the gate. I could see golf carts on the MMP as I crossed over the Lake Sumter bridge but had no idea how to get there. It was a scary few minutes until I finally got off at the Mission Hills entrance and got on the path.

I agree, there isn't any sign there. But the real question: Is there a sign at STILLWATER TRAIL and Morse?

[Bill14564]

I agree, there isn't any sign there. But the real question: Is there a sign at STILLWATER TRAIL and Morse?

Or, why is there a cart on Stillwater Trail? Don't need a sign where golf carts should never be.

EDIT: I was looking from the wrong side. Carts are allowed on Stillwater east of Morse. Can't see if there is a sign there.

[golfing eagles]

Or, why is there a cart on Stillwater Trail? Don't need a sign where golf carts should never be.

There is a cart/ bike lane on Stillwater between Odell and Morse. Sounds like the OP went through the exit gate and onto Morse northbound and stayed on it all the way across the bridge and got off at the RB before 466, which I suppose is better than turning on to 466

[Dotneko]

That's a pretty spread out 'hood.'

Guess I need to get out more, or pay more attention.

We are out just about every day in our cart. Just in the past week have gone from our house in St Cats up to the Walmart on Wedgewood Lane and today from St Cats to BJs - both drives a bit over an hour each way. You can see a whole lot of bad driving in that span of time.
Most of our trips are between St Cats and Brownwood or Havana/Colony - a half hour one way ish. We think of that as our local area.

[Dotneko]

How long was your training to become a deputy?:22yikes::police:

Doesnt take 'deputy' training. Situational awareness is a valuable tool - a car trying to avoid the golf cart being stupid make take YOU out.

[BrianL99]

I agree, there isn't any sign there. But the real question: Is there a sign at STILLWATER TRAIL and Morse?

If you're talking about where I think you're talking about ... yes.

Coming from Caroline on Stillwater, towards Morse, the cart path starts right before the Guard House and goes through the tunnel, under Morse. Coming from the other direction, the cart path is on the right side of Morse and turns into Carolina, crosses Stillwater and runs through the same tunnel.

[graciegirl]

Yesterday, Sunday, we were driving up Morse in our car. Wondered why cars were pulling right. Turns out there were two women in a golf cart doing 20 mph. Clearly lost, in the left lane of Morse in a non-street worthy cart. By the time we were able to react, we were by them in traffic, so unable to help.
They must have turned onto Morse from a village and missed the 'no carts beyond this point' sign. This happens frequently. Shouldnt the signs be made brighter, larger, orange or something? Also the entrance to the golf cart paths need to be made more clearly cart only so that automobiles arent found on the Brownwood and Lake Deaton golf cart bridges.
How do we fix this? Who do we contact?

My answer will not be popular. It is because the birds are back. And the renters. And their families who do not know how big this place is and don't know how to get around. It happens every year at this time and this year we are inundated with people. Please don't tell me how the snowbirds pay my way because I am a year rounder, I am very appreciative that I have nine months without the crowding and it is a shame and a scary thing to see the new folks occasionally lost and being where they should not be. Sometimes cars get on the cartpaths too. In fact a lot of people are reading this who have almost done that.

[Rocksnap]

Bingo. The Villages is about appearances.
It's about selling homes, nothing more.
And we love it that way. If there was a sign up for every little thing, this place would be a horror show. All we would have is signs. Who wants that?

[Rocksnap]

Old people and golf carts. What could possibly go wrong? But if that have trouble getting around in golf carts, what do you think they are doing in a car? Perhaps ban old people from driving anything!

[Rwirish]

No action needed, just pay attention.

[MorTech]

The only way to fix this is to reverse aging.
Age-related forgetfulness sucks. It happens. Just deal with it. Don't freak out.

[darkim]

Does not happen frequently…….

I can’t speak for the entire Villages, but I’ve seen 3 instances just around Brownwood (1-on the westside, and 2- on the east side departing near the Village Golf Carts onto Buena Vista.

[CybrSage]

Do the math. 140,000 people, each making the mistake once in 4 years, is 35,000 mistakes each year, or 96 mistakes every day.

This implies no one ever learns from their mistakes. Most people do

[CybrSage]

My answer will not be popular. It is because the birds are back. And the renters. And their families who do not know how big this place is and don't know how to get around. It happens every year at this time and this year we are inundated with people. Please don't tell me how the snowbirds pay my way because I am a year rounder, I am very appreciative that I have nine months without the crowding and it is a shame and a scary thing to see the new folks occasionally lost and being where they should not be. Sometimes cars get on the cartpaths too. In fact a lot of people are reading this who have almost done that.

Pretending frogs are the only ones able to read a sign is odd, why pretend such a weird thing?

Seasonal renters are most likely the problem since all of this is foreign to them. Heck, they most likely do not know the difference between one pole at the entrance to a MMP and two poles.

Snowbirds are able to drive and read just fine, they see the same signs every year, just like frogs. Visitors do not.

Logic says it is the visitors and renters. But hey, why let something like logic get in the way of irrationally claiming snowbirds cannot read, drive, or learn, right?

Need a new term, snowbirdophobia or such...the irrational fear of snowbirds that makes the person blame them for everything.

[Joe C.]

There are people whose awareness needs some help. There are others who are easily distracted, others who are in a "London fog", and there are some who are just plain stupid. We can't put signs up everywhere for them, so we put signs for the rest of us to read and follow. :gc::gc::gc:

[CybrSage]

Maybe a red circle with a slash through it, over a golf car would help, with the words written underneath or such .

[MorTech]

A lot of prescription drugs mess with your mind as well.

[Bill14564]

Maybe a red circle with a slash through it, over a golf car would help, with the words written underneath or such .

While I think the signs are adequate, particularly with a reminder that there are only a few gates that golf carts should be traveling through, a picture instead of (or in addition to) would definitely help.

When I approach a circle in my car I know enough to look for the green sign. Still, with all the signs at the gates and intersections it can be difficult to find the one you are looking for or to take note of everything you are being told. In a cart I know I don't have to look at almost any sign since I can't reach the speed limit, I have a separate lane, and I know to look for cart paths. Putting that together, it is easy to not notice a sign or to miss it in the jumble. A red circle over a cart would be much more noticeable.

[Nell57]

The Villages was developed as a “minimum signage” community.
Check out the parking aisles in shopping centers….no numbers to help you find your row.
Selling your home? A 12x12 window placard inside your window is permitted.
Controlled signage is always the standard in “upscale” communities.. Go shopping in Naples….Sarasota….better have a good GPS just to find your local Publix.
And that’s the solution here. Vistors, snowbirds, residents all need to know how to use the GPS apps when navigating someplace new.
If you don’t really know where you are going a last minute sign won’t help

[BrianL99]

The Villages was developed as a “minimum signage” community.
Check out the parking aisles in shopping centers….no numbers to help you find your row.
Selling your home? A 12x12 window placard inside your window is permitted.
Controlled signage is always the standard in “upscale” communities.. Go shopping in Naples….Sarasota….better have a good GPS just to find your local Publix.
And that’s the solution here. Vistors, snowbirds, residents all need to know how to use the GPS apps when navigating someplace new.
If you don’t really know where you are going a last minute sign won’t help

100% correct. Signage is "low brow". The best country clubs in the world, sometimes don't even mark "Hole Numbers". "Those in the know, don't need signs". False exclusivity, but it's a trend.

If there's one bit of signage I think TV could implement, that would be huge ... are signs that point out, Automobiles have the Right of Way. It drives me batty, anytime I car stops on the road, to let me pass across ... No Way! I'm not going to get myself hit by a car, when I'm in a golf cart. Just keep on driving if you have the right of way.

[golfing eagles]

100% correct. Signage is "low brow". The best country clubs in the world, sometimes don't even mark "Hole Numbers". "Those in the know, don't need signs". False exclusivity, but it's a trend.

If there's one bit of signage I think TV could implement, that would be huge ... are signs that point out, Automobiles have the Right of Way. It drives me batty, anytime I car stops on the road, to let me pass across ... No Way! I'm not going to get myself hit by a car, when I'm in a golf cart. Just keep on driving if you have the right of way.

Excellent! Those who want to wave carts across are part of the problem, NOT part of the solution. I just sit there in my cart with my arms folded until the car, which has the right of way, proceeds. Imagine what happens if the cart starts to cross and the car driver's foot slips onto the accelerator. And guess who would be at fault.

[Bill14564]

Excellent! Those who want to wave carts across are part of the problem, NOT part of the solution. I just sit there in my cart with my arms folded until the car, which has the right of way, proceeds. Imagine what happens if the cart starts to cross and the car driver's foot slips onto the accelerator. And guess who would be at fault.

On at least one occasion I've had to step out of the cart before the car would move. That guy wasn't making any friends in the line of traffic behind him.

[MrFlorida]

I always expect drivers to do something stupid, weather in a car or cart.... defensive driving is the key.

[BrianL99]

Excellent! Those who want to wave carts across are part of the problem, NOT part of the solution. I just sit there in my cart with my arms folded until the car, which has the right of way, proceeds. Imagine what happens if the cart starts to cross and the car driver's foot slips onto the accelerator. And guess who would be at fault.

It happens every day, on my way to a golf course and on my way home. I get it, folks are trying to be polite & folks that don't live here, *assume* carts have some special rights or need some special rights. It scares the crap out of me.

Had I not done some research before buying a cart, I wouldn't have know who has the right of way. I don't think I've ever seen a sign in TV, that makes it clear automobiles have priority on the roads.

[Topspinmo]

Old people and golf carts. What could possibly go wrong? But if that have trouble getting around in golf carts, what do you think they are doing in a car? Perhaps ban old people from driving anything!

Be careful what wish for cause it may effect you depending on who determines old?

[ron32162]

I have contacted The Villages before of this type of thing about the signs They said all of our signs are good by county code even the one that says GOLF CARTS (are suppose to) MERGE INTO TRAFFIC how many of them slow down maybe 2% then flip the driver of the car off.

[Normal]

Although Darwin and his Beagle trip where way of course they did have a good point….

Let “natural selection” take its course. It’s all about attrition.

[justjim]

Does not happen frequently…….

I agree, from my 18 plus years in TV, you see a cart or car in the wrong traveling road/path very infrequently. I’ve seen it three times and all three times it was “in season”. I could be wrong, no fatalities have occurred from such mistakes mentioned in this Thread.

Fatalities occur when cars and carts get in the exact same “space” at the same time. Car wins and a dozen or so golf cart fatalities have unfortunately occurred.

[Bill14564]

On at least one occasion I've had to step out of the cart before the car would move. That guy wasn't making any friends in the line of traffic behind him.

And today makes at least two occasions.

Come on people! The carts all have stop signs and the cars do not. No stop sign means you're not required to stop and to keep traffic flowing you should not stop.

I could understand it, maybe, if a pedestrian was waiting to cross - they do look like crosswalks after all. But a cart does not look like a pedestrian, there are no crosswalks for vehicles, a cart has a stop sign, and you don't so keep moving.

[Bill14564]

Lack of "No carts beyond this point" signs at Stillwater & Morse and at Richmond across from Okahumpka.....

... this would be a good thing to bring to your CDD meeting. The roads are county roads and perhaps only the county is allowed to install those signs (some on here have argued otherwise) but the District sits in those meetings also and they might be able to get some movement on getting the signs added.

[jimmy o]

Yesterday, Sunday, we were driving up Morse in our car. Wondered why cars were pulling right. Turns out there were two women in a golf cart doing 20 mph. Clearly lost, in the left lane of Morse in a non-street worthy cart. By the time we were able to react, we were by them in traffic, so unable to help.
They must have turned onto Morse from a village and missed the 'no carts beyond this point' sign. This happens frequently. Shouldnt the signs be made brighter, larger, orange or something? Also the entrance to the golf cart paths need to be made more clearly cart only so that automobiles arent found on the Brownwood and Lake Deaton golf cart bridges.
How do we fix this? Who do we contact?
There is little to be done. The main reason it happens is because we drivers forget if we’re in our car or on our cart. We have a tendency to drive on automatic brain. We just need to pay more attention. So periodically we will see a cart in the road, and sometimes a car who starts to turn on cart path. Note, cars only start the turn because their brain quickly realizes that the vehicle they’re driving is too wide for the path.

[MorTech]

I doubt most people in automobiles realize they are suppose to slow down to 20 MPH at diamond lane merge points. The little yellow speed limit sign is for automobiles.

[Bill14564]

I doubt most people in automobiles realize they are suppose to slow down to 20 MPH at diamond lane merge points. The little yellow speed limit sign is for automobiles.

Yellow signs are advisory/cautionary not regulatory. Perhaps you should slow down but you are not required to slow down.

[golfing eagles]

Yellow signs are advisory/cautionary not regulatory. Perhaps you should slow down but you are not required to slow down.

But you are required to merge properly. A car does not have the right of way when the cart is 150-200 feet ahead and signaling. It especially applies to those drivers that speed up to 45 to satisfy their “me first” complex

[BrianL99]

Although Darwin and his Beagle trip where way of course they did have a good point….

Let “natural selection” take its course. It’s all about attrition.

Like Norm said about the bulls?

[Number 10 GI]

Be careful what wish for cause it may effect you depending on who determines old?

Just like there are tests to determine if a person is driving under the influence, there can be tests to determine the capabilities of an elderly driver.

[DAVES]

Old people and golf carts. What could possibly go wrong? But if that have trouble getting around in golf carts, what do you think they are doing in a car? Perhaps ban old people from driving anything!


Typical, most accidents, first of all are not accidents because they can be avoided. CONTROL is how you avoid accidents. You have or shouLd have control of what YOU DO.

[DAVES]

But you are required to merge properly. A car does not have the right of way when the cart is 150-200 feet ahead and signaling. It especially applies to those drivers that speed up to 45 to satisfy their “me first” complex

It is clearly a stretch to believe people know what the law is and a HUGE stretch that they know the law and will follow it.
Far as law. I'm sure the law does not say 150-200 feet. Signaling? No shortage of jokes about that.

[DAVES]

This implies no one ever learns from their mistakes. Most people do

Far as fatal mistakes they are NOT repeatable.

[golfing eagles]

It is clearly a stretch to believe people know what the law is and a HUGE stretch that they know the law and will follow it.
Far as law. I'm sure the law does not say 150-200 feet. Signaling? No shortage of jokes about that.

I was just throwing a number out there, I doubt the law specifies a distance, although sometimes it does such as signaling 100 feet before a turn. But a car at 30 mph travels 44 ft/ sec and a cart at 20 mph about 29 feet/sec so closing at a difference of 15 ft/sec gives a more than adequate lead time of 10 seconds for 150 feet. It looks like even 100 feet is fine