It's A Jungle Out There, Be Careful

[Virtual Geezer]

It was 1:30 pm on Saturday afternoon on December 8, 2012 and I was driving the golf and just turned off Lake Sumter Landing Rd onto the cart path heading north to go over the Lake Sumter bridge. I take a look in the rear view mirror and what do I see following me but a lady driving a SUV. I first look to make sure I am on the cart path and not on the highway and sure enough I'm on the cart path. I slow down and stop the cart path and the SUV also stops. As I get out of the cart and head back to inform the lady that she is on a cart path she comes to realize her mistake. By this time a number of carts are coming south and are waving at her that she is on a cart path.

I never say her on a cell phone or any distraction of that nature. She just was not paying attention to where she was going. Her only comment to me was "OMG I can't believe I did that".

Next time I am up that way I will take a good look to see how much room there is between the center post and right side of the path.

Like it is said by Guns 'N Roses "Welcome to the jungle we've got fun and games"

[HMLRHT1]

Sounds like the Looneys are loose

[rubicon]

It was 1:30 pm on Saturday afternoon on December 8, 2012 and I was driving the golf and just turned off Lake Sumter Landing Rd onto the cart path heading north to go over the Lake Sumter bridge. I take a look in the rear view mirror and what do I see following me but a lady driving a SUV. I first look to make sure I am on the cart path and not on the highway and sure enough I'm on the cart path. I slow down and stop the cart path and the SUV also stops. As I get out of the cart and head back to inform the lady that she is on a cart path she comes to realize her mistake. By this time a number of carts are coming south and are waving at her that she is on a cart path.

I never say her on a cell phone or any distraction of that nature. She just was not paying attention to where she was going. Her only comment to me was "OMG I can't believe I did that".

Next time I am up that way I will take a good look to see how much room there is between the center post and right side of the path.

Like it is said by Guns 'N Roses "Welcome to the jungle we've got fun and games"

Sorry to report this but it is a common occurrence I have witnessed it twice in the last two weeks

[Mikeod]

Yesterday morning at the same spot, we observed a car approaching the roundabout put on their left turn signal and move into the cart lane as if they were going to take the cart path. Fortunately, they realized their error and moved back into the auto lane and entered the roundabout.

[Cantwaittoarrive]

I don't think there is all that much room between the centerpost and the right side of the path, it's been a couple of days since I've been on that section but it's a wonder she didn't hit the post

[buggyone]

I agree that the space (width) of the cart path over the Lake Sumter bridge does not look wide enough for an SUV to drive in. I would also wonder how she got onto the cart path as the white post is in the middle of the entrance to the cart path.

Did this really happen?

[Mikeod]

I agree that the space (width) of the cart path over the Lake Sumter bridge does not look wide enough for an SUV to drive in. I would also wonder how she got onto the cart path as the white post is in the middle of the entrance to the cart path.

Did this really happen?
So, we're assuming the post is still there? Maybe not!!!

[njbchbum]

I agree that the space (width) of the cart path over the Lake Sumter bridge does not look wide enough for an SUV to drive in. I would also wonder how she got onto the cart path as the white post is in the middle of the entrance to the cart path.

Did this really happen?

i wanna know how she got OFF the cart path! :22yikes:

[Roaddog53]

Yep. Last night we were leaving LSL going east. An older man backs up his rented golf car in front of cars, (the stripped down version) and proceeds to go 5-10 mph down the road. We figured he was checking out the stores/ sites but couldn't tell since we're the 3rd car behind him. He gets to the light and goes straight still barely moving. We think he is going to turn left on the cart path but figured he is lost. Nope, he goes straight and turns right in front of a car on the roundabout. Some one pulls next to him and assume they finally told him since he stopped for a second. Hopefully he was ok and got back on the path.
Since its that time of year, be careful as many are learning the ways.

[2BNTV]

It's A Jungle Out There so I will pack a couple of bananas in my lunch. :jester:

Seriously, this is the second time I have seen threads like this. Everyone, please be aware and be careful.

[Virtual Geezer]

I agree that the space (width) of the cart path over the Lake Sumter bridge does not look wide enough for an SUV to drive in. I would also wonder how she got onto the cart path as the white post is in the middle of the entrance to the cart path.

Did this really happen?

Yes it did really happen. What do you need pictures? Get real.

I did not go back to look and see if she hit the post. Also I did not take the names of every cart that passed heading in the south bound lane that also witnessed the event to satisfy you.

I was more concerned in getting this lady off the cart path and back onto the road so she did not endanger anyone.

[Virtual Geezer]

i wanna know how she got OFF the cart path! :22yikes:

She backed her cart back to Lake Sumter Landing Rd. Others heading south helped guide her and seeing that I got back into may cart and drove onto my destination.

VG

[Virtual Geezer]

So, we're assuming the post is still there? Maybe not!!!

At 7:45 PM on Saturday December 8, 2012 the post is still there and there is plenty of room to drive any car, SUV or pickup truck onto cart path with ease. There are no shrubs or plantings for a good distance past the entrance. It is also a somewhat smoother transition from the road to the cart path as compared to others in TV so it would be hard to notice in a car or SUV.

VG

[gatherer47]

For many years I have only driven a golf cart here in the Villages.Now that I have a car also I found myself on two different occasions heading toward a golf cart path in my car.I guess all those years heading toward the trails had me conditioned to do that in my car too.Luckily I realized my mistake and I warn myself now before driving "you're in the car" to prevent a mishap.

[rmcpklinefelter]

I suppose I could see this happening if one is on auto pilot, thinking about other things, and, well, forgets which vehicle one is in at the moment?

[Golfingnut]

I would suggest that the proper solution for this problem is to not allow cars to be driven in The Villages.
:wave:

[graciegirl]

This has almost happened to me a couple of times and my Sweetie who I consider to be the best driver on the planet has almost turned into a cart path driving a car. Just as others have said we become accustomed to doing things and forget which conveyance we are in. I have intelligent and careful friends who have told me they have done it.

And Buggy one, Virtual Geezer is a real person, a valid person and someone who visits us in our home and he is a reliable reporter. Plus he is from Ohio. There have been a few documented cases of people from Ohio lying and stretching the truth over the last couple of centuries but it doesn't happen often and certainly I bet my best hat you can trust this fellow and his description of what happened on this cart path.

We need to do the best we can while driving in the months coming up because it will become more dangerous with all of the people here during the season. I resolve to NOT take my golf cart unless playing golf. It just is not as protected as my big old car.

You precious cargo, every one of you. Drive defensively and a little slower. Can't hurt.

Merry Christmas

[buggyone]

I believe I did mis-read Virtual Geezer's original post and I apologize for it. I thought he meant he was actually on the Lake Sumter bridge cart path (over the water) and not just turned on the beginning of the pathway by the houses.

I did go by that area today (Sunday) and did see that there is enough room for an SUV to actually turn onto the path without hitting the white post and go for a few feet before realizing their mistake. :confused:

Gracie, I am not going to get on your bad side by bad-mouthing Ohioans. After all, they did help greatly in the Presidential election and I thank them for that. Secondly, I do not want to be the victim of a drive-by soaking by your all-girl water gun possee.

[rubicon]

Folks a couple of weeks ago I was making a left turn onto the cartpath at the gate located on Bailey Trail a car in front of me turned left was entering the cartpath and realizd his mistake backed up......

The following week at the same gat an white SUV followed me onto the cartpath and after passing two golf carts coming at him realized he made a mistake and exited at the Bailey Trail entrance of Lake Minoa. Trust me there seem to be plenty of room for a car or SUV. Seeing is believing.

[buggyone]

Folks a couple of weeks ago I was making a left turn onto the cartpath at the gate located on Bailey Trail a car in front of me turned left was entering the cartpath and realizd his mistake backed up......

The following week at the same gat an white SUV followed me onto the cartpath and after passing two golf carts coming at him realized he made a mistake and exited at the Bailey Trail entrance of Lake Minoa. Trust me there seem to be plenty of room for a car or SUV. Seeing is believing.

What is really amazing - and it has happened - is for a car to be on the Multi-Modal trail and then turn into a tunnel - and get stuck. Now, how do you explain that to your insurance company - or to your wife? :shrug: