New Speed Limits

[downeaster]

The Daily Sun reported yesterday that most current speed limits of 25 MPH will be reduced to 20 MPH in most parts of TV within Sumter County This change is to be effective Jan. 1, 2012.

I hope this means they are finally getting serious about making our streets safer. We claim to be the friendliest and soon to be the healthiest. Maybe someday we can be the safest drivers.

[villages07]

Darn...I missed that article. I recall Sumter commissioners were going to meet on this issue on the 26th.

OK, what about the neighborhood streets that are 15mph...are they going to be upped to 20mph???

Main streets like Canal, Bailey Trail, O'Dell etc will remain 30 mph?

[Figmo Bohica]

I also read that article and was wondering the same thing. Will the 15 and 10s go to 20 or will they stay the same? Also what will this do for the golf cart paths? Will the interior roads at 20 do away with the golf cart lanes since everything will be limited to 20 MPH?

Glad to see the speed limited lowered as there are way to many drivers in a hurry. I only hope that the enforcement goes up as well.

Leave earlier, arrive safely and don't stress because you are in a hurry. I thought this was a retirement community. *S*

[spk7951]

The article says 20mph on Sumter County roads in TV unless otherwise posted. The new ordinance goes into effect on existing roads on Jan 1, 2012 but is immediate for future designs. Main thoroughfares such as Morse and Buena Vista will not change, so I would say my best guess it that Odell, St, Charles and others that are higher than 20mph most likely would stay at that speed.

Interestingly one of the main reasons for the change is because the roads are golf cart accessible and the max speed for golf carts is 20mph.

[zcaveman]

The article is on page A-7 in the 7/27 Daily Sun. Hard to miss the headline.

Sumter approves Villages speed limit

The speeds on Sumter County roads in the Villages will be 20 mph unless otherwise posted. This is effective Jan 1 but the county could modify the speed limit for certain roads.

For the main roads, they do not plan on changing the speed limits.

I wish they would post these things on the districtgov.com website!!

[logdog]

I could be wrong (it's happened once or twice), but I think the general rule is:

1. If carts and cars are sharing the road with no separate cart path, everyone goes 20 mph.

2. If there is a cart path lane, cars go 30 mph except where cars and carts merge (see rule 1).

3. If carts are not allowed because there is a multimodal path available, cars go 35 mph.

That said, if you're in a small cart competing against a large car, YIELD! You may or may not be right but you will not win. I have been forced off the multimodal path by cars, passed on neighborhood roads and cutoff by cars making a right turn in front of me. Even if we keep up with the rules, visitors and snowbirds may not.

[Bogie Shooter]

I could be wrong (it's happened once or twice), but I think the general rule is:

1. If carts and cars are sharing the road with no separate cart path, everyone goes 20 mph.

2. If there is a cart path lane, cars go 30 mph except where cars and carts merge (see rule 1).

3. If carts are not allowed because there is a multimodal path available, cars go 35 mph.

That said, if you're in a small cart competing against a large car, YIELD! You may or may not be right but you will not win. I have been forced off the multimodal path by cars, passed on neighborhood roads and cutoff by cars making a right turn in front of me. Even if we keep up with the rules, visitors and snowbirds may not.
What are cars doing on the multimodal paths??

[logdog]

That was my thought when I looked in the mirror and shouted "Holy $hit" and pulled off the path to let the car pass. I think the driver forgot she wasn't in her golf cart and pulled into the path near the library. I followed to Parr Drive where she got back onto the road. It's not the first time this has happened.

[LittleDog]

When I was in the MP's I remember in one class where it was stated that 75% of drivers will drive at a "safe" speed regardless of what is posted. So that if their is a posted speed of 20 and most drivers are driving faster than that the speed limit is too slow for that particular road

John

[Hancle704]

So now as I'm driving 20 MPH in my car, I will be passed by LSV,NEV and souped up golf carts that don't have speedometers.

[villagegolfer]

Oh great. Now the people who drive 20-25 in a 30 mile zone will now drive 10-15 in the 20 mile zone. I do not see this as being safe or sane.

[mgjim]

I also read that article and was wondering the same thing. Will the 15 and 10s go to 20 or will they stay the same? Also what will this do for the golf cart paths? Will the interior roads at 20 do away with the golf cart lanes since everything will be limited to 20 MPH?

Glad to see the speed limited lowered as there are way to many drivers in a hurry. I only hope that the enforcement goes up as well.

Leave earlier, arrive safely and don't stress because you are in a hurry. I thought this was a retirement community. *S*

Have to agree here - what's the hurry? Retirement is supposed to be savored, no?

[villagegolfer]

Have to agree here - what's the hurry? Retirement is supposed to be savored, no?
Well, to have a retirement community you must have upkeep. People need contractors. Stores and restaurants need to be supplied. People need to get to work. An active community has social activities to attend. The world don't stop so someone can savor the moment, ya know!!!

[RichieLion]

I don't get it. I believe it's legal to drive a cart on a 25 mph road now. Why the change? For what reason?

[madrose]

Oh great. Now the people who drive 20-25 in a 30 mile zone will now drive 10-15 in the 20 mile zone. I do not see this as being safe or sane.

AGREED!!! OMG, I'm sure I'm in the minority here but I can't believe everyone thinks 25mph is too fast. I might be relaxed but I don't want it to take me an hour to get everywhere. I'm just sayin....

[villages07]

I don't get it. I believe it's legal to drive a cart on a 25 mph road now. Why the change? For what reason?

Richie ... my guess is it's being done for consistency as much as safety. South of Lake Sumter all the neighborhood streets (residential) are 15 mph while many areas north of LSL have 25 in the residential neighborhoods. With golf carts allowed to go 20 and cars at 15 (which no one adheres to), I guess making residential uniformly 20 makes some sense.

[downeaster]

I don't get it. I believe it's legal to drive a cart on a 25 mph road now. Why the change? For what reason?

By definition, according to Florida statutes, a golf cart must not be capable of speed in excess of 20 MPH. If it is capable of speed in excess of 20 MPH it must be registered, insured and equipped as a licensed motor vehicle.

The decision for the change to 20 MPH limits was in the hands of the County Commissioners. Not being present at the meetings that resulted in the decision, I have no way of knowing their reason. It would be interesting to hear from any TOTV member who was there.

[JenAjd]

Today...drove our golfcart from LSL over to SS on Morse. Our cart goes 19MPH at "full speed". I got passed and left in the dust, so to speak, by a handful of carts. I had to wonder just how fast they had to be going if I was going 19 and they were no longer in site! Mmmmmmm!!! They weren't behind me for long...but came upon me and passed. I had to wonder if they made it o.k. to wherever they needed to go so quickly!?!

On the streets that have the bike/cart path along the side---will the carts also be made to comply with the 20 mph? I would think so!! I'm all for safety and keeping the law, have to wonder why there are some who feel the need to question this and I'm sure this post will spark some to comment negatively!!

[memason]

Richie ... my guess is it's being done for consistency as much as safety. South of Lake Sumter all the neighborhood streets (residential) are 15 mph while many areas north of LSL have 25 in the residential neighborhoods. With golf carts allowed to go 20 and cars at 15 (which no one adheres to), I guess making residential uniformly 20 makes some sense.

Unless I'm mistaken, carts are require to follow the posted speed limits, if on the streets. So, if the speed limit for cars is 15MPH, then it is 15MPH for the carts too. If cars are allowed faster than 20MPH, then carts are 20.

How many people drive 10MPH on Paige Pl. going into Spanish Springs? ...in a car or a cart? Sometimes, I believe the limits can be too slow and unreasonable. Therefore, they are not followed by anyone. Bicycles go faster than 10MPH... :smiley:

[bluedog103]

Unless I'm mistaken, carts are require to follow the posted speed limits, if on the streets. So, if the speed limit for cars is 15MPH, then it is 15MPH for the carts too. If cars are allowed faster than 20MPH, then carts are 20.

How many people drive 10MPH on Paige Pl. going into Spanish Springs? ...in a car or a cart? Sometimes, I believe the limits can be too slow and unreasonable. Therefore, they are not followed by anyone. Bicycles go faster than 10MPH... :smiley:
It's comical to read arguments about speed limits of 15, 20 and 25 mph, especially since most carts don't have speedometers anyway. How many people have the skill to determine the difference between 15 and 20 mph?
I don't think it can be enforced. You're just not going to have radar set up on the interior streets and if you did, everyone would know it was there.

[downeaster]

It's comical to read arguments about speed limits of 15, 20 and 25 mph, especially since most carts don't have speedometers anyway. How many people have the skill to determine the difference between 15 and 20 mph?
I don't think it can be enforced. You're just not going to have radar set up on the interior streets and if you did, everyone would know it was there.

They have set up radar on interior streets in the past and stopped a lot of cars and carts. I expect they will continue the practice.

BTW, Oak Forest is a favorite spot for both cars and carts. They park on a side street and their car is not visible then they stand on the street with a hand held. Very effective.

[bluedog103]

They have set up radar on interior streets in the past and stopped a lot of cars and carts. I expect they will continue the practice.

I stand corrected, I think.
What was the ticket for, 18 mph in a 15 zone? I still think it's like something from a cartoon. Imagine those speed demons!

[rubicon]

That was my thought when I looked in the mirror and shouted "Holy $hit" and pulled off the path to let the car pass. I think the driver forgot she wasn't in her golf cart and pulled into the path near the library. I followed to Parr Drive where she got back onto the road. It's not the first time this has happened.

Happened to me also when on a cartpath going pass Bridgeport to lake sumter Landing. I don't read the Daily sun so didn't read the article but if I read the posts correctly where there is a road/cartpath such as Canal, Bailey Trail, etc wil be reduced to 20mph. This reduction is only going to increase revenue for the police departments. Most cars can coast with their foot off the gas pedal and get over 20 unless their going up/downhill

[Bogie Shooter]

Happened to me also when on a cartpath going pass Bridgeport to lake sumter Landing. I don't read the Daily sun so didn't read the article but if I read the posts correctly where there is a road/cartpath such as Canal, Bailey Trail, etc wil be reduced to 20mph. This reduction is only going to increase revenue for the police departments. Most cars can coast with their foot off the gas pedal and get over 20 unless their going up/downhill

20 MPH unless otherwise posted.....doubt if Canal & Bailey trail will be reduced.

[rubicon]

20 MPH unless otherwise posted.....doubt if Canal & Bailey trail will be reduced.

Bogie Shooter...thank you.

[BOMBERO]

Happened to me also when on a cartpath going pass Bridgeport to lake sumter Landing. I don't read the Daily sun so didn't read the article but if I read the posts correctly where there is a road/cartpath such as Canal, Bailey Trail, etc wil be reduced to 20mph. This reduction is only going to increase revenue for the police departments. Most cars can coast with their foot off the gas pedal and get over 20 unless their going up/downhill

The posts are not correct! Read the Sun. The Sun has the correct story.
Am I the only person to read the story?

ROBICON, you're still looking over your shoulder for the Leesburg P.D. Do you remember your post from April?

[downeaster]

I stand corrected, I think.
What was the ticket for, 18 mph in a 15 zone? I still think it's like something from a cartoon. Imagine those speed demons!

It is a 25 MPH zone. I have no idea how fast they were going. It is a heavily traveled residential street with numerous driveways. I suspect the residents will welcome the 20 MPH speed limit.

[BOMBERO]

It is a 25 MPH zone. I have no idea how fast they were going. It is a heavily traveled residential street with numerous driveways. I suspect the residents will welcome the 20 MPH speed limit.

You didn't read it ( story in the "Sun" ) either... did you?

[downeaster]

You didn't read it ( story in the "Sun" ) either... did you?

Sorry, BOMBERO, I don't understand your question. What story are you referring to and why do you think I failed to read it?

[rubicon]

The posts are not correct! Read the Sun. The Sun has the correct story.
Am I the only person to read the story?

ROBICON, you're still looking over your shoulder for the Leesburg P.D. Do you remember your post from April?

Dam straight not interested in contributing to the officers' beer fund. Watch them for two days pulling cars and carts over on Morse. But understand why they do it. There is so little crime in TV they have to pass the time somehow:D

[jkomoros]

I missed the Daily Sun article on speed limits this summer, but I've been hearing various reports of what people think will occur. Can anyone point me to something official I can read?

[spk7951]

I missed the Daily Sun article on speed limits this summer, but I've been hearing various reports of what people think will occur. Can anyone point me to something official I can read?

Read the three links under Item #1 of the following:
http://www.sumtercountyfl.gov/AgendaModule/AGID185/Agenda.html

[paulandjean]

I like the line about the police beer fund,very good. I also like the line about no crime in the villages so they have to do something. Right ON. I do think this is silly. I have been passed by bicycles on more than one occasion.20-25 fine for golf carts.

[CarGuys]

That was my thought when I looked in the mirror and shouted "Holy $hit" and pulled off the path to let the car pass. I think the driver forgot she wasn't in her golf cart and pulled into the path near the library. I followed to Parr Drive where she got back onto the road. It's not the first time this has happened.

OMG!!:oops::oops:

[GTTPF]

Herv, aren't you supposed to be on your way to TV? You have to be there in 2 days or are you flying? GL and have fun. See you soon.:wave:

[GTTPF]

Herv, What ever you do don't speed!:gc::eek:

[golf2140]

Let see: I bought a street leagal golf car, paying for registration, cost of car insurance, now I can only go 20mph. Wow great decision. :crap2:

[CarGuys]

Herv, What ever you do don't speed!:gc::eek:

Yea no speeding! We are flying down Friday night, Design team Saturday and Sunday. Jim has my cell number.

Gee-A smart car would fit on those cart trails by accident! There smaller than a Gem!

I can't imagine looking in the rear view mirror and seeing car lights coming at us.:crap2:

WOW!

[BigLew]

the new ordinance only changes the speed limits on currently unmarked roads. This limit had been 25 it would now be 20 mph, that is the only change being made....big deal! :loco:
Boy! people's reading skills have really gone downhill :-)

[Taj44]

When I was in the MP's I remember in one class where it was stated that 75% of drivers will drive at a "safe" speed regardless of what is posted. So that if their is a posted speed of 20 and most drivers are driving faster than that the speed limit is too slow for that particular road

John

That is exactly right, but its called the 85 percentile speed. In New York State, where I'm from, the police do radar studies to determine the speed (85th percentile) that the majority of drivers are going, and post the speed limits accordingly.

People falsely believe that if the speed limit is lowered artificially i.e. below what everyone is doing, then it will somehow be safer. What actually happens is that you'll get some people who obey the new speed limit, and many who drive the speed that they feel comfortable at given the conditions, which may be higher than the speed limit. This of course causes conflict and an increase in accidents or decrease in safety.

[paulandjean]

Not sure if I agree with that.

[BigLew]

Let see: I bought a street leagal golf car, paying for registration, cost of car insurance, now I can only go 20mph. Wow great decision. :crap2:

no, you can go 25 on a road marked 35

[Taj44]

Here is a link which describes the process of setting speed zones, which might make it easier for people to understand. http://www.ite.org/standards/speed_zoning.pdf
In the case of The villages, I suspect the potential for interaction with golf carts has driven the speed limit issue and made for a variation in accepted traffic engineering practice.

[Figmo Bohica]

I for one hope that Sumter write lots and lots of speeding tickets. If you are in a hurry leave earlier so that you are on time and don't have to hurry. With all the increase in traffic its time to slow down and smell the roses. I also wish that they would double or triple the speeding fines.

Now on the other side of the problem. What will happen with the golf cart roads on roads that go to 20 MPH? Will there still be golf cart roads or are cars and carts going to share the roads. Gonna be lots of accidents. Make sure that your insurance is up to date and that you have good coverage.

[rkimball]

No way does the now 25, 30 or 35 mph speed limits cause accidents in TV. It is the driver that makes a left turn into the right lane or the driver that fails to signal or the driver after 20 years in TV that still can't negotiate the 20 mph traffic circle or the driver that leaves Happy Hour a little to late or the driver that thinks the stop sign is for everyone else, and on and on and on.

The USDOT reports that speeding in itself is not a cause of accidents and the VDoT found that 2.9% were due to speeding -- dead last -- while 3.8%t were due to drivers falling asleep or falling ill at the tiller.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/18/us-dot-report-confirms-speed-not-major-cause-of-accidents

So what's all the all the hoopla about the new regs?

I for one have only found that the people that complaining about the fast golf carts are the one who bought theurs years ago when they would only go about ten mph.

[MelZ]

I guess the Moral of the story is if your cart can't speed you have nothing to worry about.................

:police:


:gc:

[rubicon]

No way does the now 25, 30 or 35 mph speed limits cause accidents in TV. It is the driver that makes a left turn into the right lane or the driver that fails to signal or the driver after 20 years in TV that still can't negotiate the 20 mph traffic circle or the driver that leaves Happy Hour a little to late or the driver that thinks the stop sign is for everyone else, and on and on and on.

The USDOT reports that speeding in itself is not a cause of accidents and the VDoT found that 2.9% were due to speeding -- dead last -- while 3.8%t were due to drivers falling asleep or falling ill at the tiller.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/18/us-dot-report-confirms-speed-not-major-cause-of-accidents

So what's all the all the hoopla about the new regs?

I for one have only found that the people that complaining about the fast golf carts are the one who bought theurs years ago when they would only go about ten mph.

rkimball: You are spot on. Police involving accidents had always had a fall back called "speed too fast for conditions". This charge was their insurance in case the other accidednt factors failed

[BOMBERO]

I missed the Daily Sun article on speed limits this summer, but I've been hearing various reports of what people think will occur. Can anyone point me to something official I can read?

"Daily Sun" Wednesday 27 July 2011 Page A7

[TomW]

I've heard several accounts of the lady who got her car stuck in the BV tunnel near Turtle Mound a few months back. I have a street legal and get my doors blown off (if I had 'em) about once a week by unregistered carts doing 30+ mph. This happens most commonly on Canal Street. I have seat belts and disc brakes and they don't.

[nanci2539]

A few weeks ago a friend was pulled over on Canal Street. There were a mixture of golf cars and cars pulled over with her. No tickets were issued. They were told to spread the word - effective January 1st, when sharing a road with a golf cart, any road, the speed limit for both cart and car will be 20mph. Tickets will be issued at $250 per offense if either the cart of automobile exceeds the 20mph limit. No discussion or debate, it's an automatic ticket. Each car and cart pulled over was going over 20mph on Canal. The officers told the people to spread the word, they are not kidding on this one - you will be ticketed and there is no room for debate!

[villages07]

I can't imagine Canal, Belvedere, Bailey Trail, O'Dell circle,to name a few, with a posted 20 mph for auto traffic. Canal isn't posted now. Belvedere is 30.

It sure would be nice to see something official in writing about these higher travel roads.


Neighborhood streets at 20, I can understand.

[Indydealmaker]

A few weeks ago a friend was pulled over on Canal Street. There were a mixture of golf cars and cars pulled over with her. No tickets were issued. They were told to spread the word - effective January 1st, when sharing a road with a golf cart, any road, the speed limit for both cart and car will be 20mph. Tickets will be issued at $250 per offense if either the cart of automobile exceeds the 20mph limit. No discussion or debate, it's an automatic ticket. Each car and cart pulled over was going over 20mph on Canal. The officers told the people to spread the word, they are not kidding on this one - you will be ticketed and there is no room for debate!

:BigApplause:

[ajbrown]

I can't imagine Canal, Belvedere, Bailey Trail, O'Dell circle,to name a few, with a posted 20 mph for auto traffic. Canal isn't posted now. Belvedere is 30.



I do not think the roads you mention are changing. They have a designated golf cart lane and they are posted 30 MPH. I will have to go check Canal south of Stillwater, I swear I have seen a 30 MPH sign, but could be wrong. I do remember checking the other roads you mention last year as I could not understand why the main drag through Sanibel was 35MPH and I wanted to verify others that had a golf cart lane ON the road were only 30. It was always my impression that any road with a speed limit of 35 had the golf cart path OFF the road.

As I read these articles it seems to me they are targeting roads with NO designated golf cart path to set a new standard as some were 25 and others 20. I assume my 'hood will stay 15 unless they take down the signage.

I always leave open the idea that I am way off base, but this is how I have interpreted the articles...

[Villages PL]

I hope this means they are finally getting serious about making our streets safer. We claim to be the friendliest and soon to be the healthiest. Maybe someday we can be the safest drivers.

I hope so but I have some doubt. I live on a street where the speed limit is 10 mph. That's certainly a safe speed but almost no one obeys it. Golf carts often go by at full speed and cars can, and do, go faster. I have never clocked their speed but it seems fast when you see them go by. They're certainly not going 10 mph. It's just lucky that I live on a loop so there's not a lot of traffic.

You know it must be fast when they kill rabbits. I found two dead rabbits in the road this past year.

:wave:

[BigLew]

I do not think the roads you mention are changing. They have a designated golf cart lane and they are posted 30 MPH. I will have to go check Canal south of Stillwater, I swear I have seen a 30 MPH sign, but could be wrong. I do remember checking the other roads you mention last year as I could not understand why the main drag through Sanibel was 35MPH and I wanted to verify others that had a golf cart lane ON the road were only 30. It was always my impression that any road with a speed limit of 35 had the golf cart path OFF the road.

As I read these articles it seems to me they are targeting roads with NO designated golf cart path to set a new standard as some were 25 and others 20. I assume my 'hood will stay 15 unless they take down the signage.

I always leave open the idea that I am way off base, but this is how I have interpreted the articles...

the 20 is for currently unposted speed limit roads which currently as unmarked roads, are 25 mph other awww never mind ...its been explained too many times already.....:Screen_of_Death:

[Happinow]

I'm just an observer who visited The Villages about 6 weeks ago and bought a piece of land to build on in the spring. I have to say I was dumbfounded when I read the speed limit was 20 because people were doing about 30-40. I commented to my husband about how fast people were driving and it seemed dangerous with all of the traffic and golf carts. I really do hope people will slow down. Everyone is retired, what's the hurry? Save a life....it may be yours. :confused:

[aln]

opinion
In the summer there's less traffic and the year round residents are just 'in no hurry!
As the seasonal people return, you can see and 'feel' the stress rise because they are returning from the cities where it's a "get goin' attitude". They actually slow down and fit in as time goes bye.
As we move on to the snowbirds (renters) it gets even worse as they are only here for a short time and want to get as much in as quickly as possible.

The bottom line is GOLF CARTS GO 20 MPH OR LESS!

......... LET'S ALL JUST TRY TO GET ALONG!

[BogeyBoy]

I noticed that in the new area south of 466a they are putting up speed limit signs for 15 MPH. (Same as a lot of streets south of 466.) I think it would be odd if they put up those signs in November and then change them in January.

I'm beginning to think those already set at 15 will remain 15, the primary change will be north of 466.

[downeaster]

I noticed that in the new area south of 466a they are putting up speed limit signs for 15 MPH. (Same as a lot of streets south of 466.) I think it would be odd if they put up those signs in November and then change them in January.

I'm beginning to think those already set at 15 will remain 15, the primary change will be north of 466.

I believe the plan is to indicate the spreed limit within The Villages is to be 20 MPH unless otherwise posted. I would expect 15 MPH signs will remain. I expect some 25 MPH signs will be removed.