Another dumb Golf Cart incident

[sukismom]

Yesterday while up at the Mallory pool, I saw a golf cart drive in rather quickly. Driving this gas powered 4 forward seater was a 5 year old. (white cart with red sunbrella) A young woman was in the passenger seat pushing the gas pedal. I stopped them and informed her that it was against the law and very dangerous to allow a child to drive a golf cart. She switched seats with him and they drove away. Shortly after while driving on Gayles Mill, I saw the same golf cart, child driving through the side streets. I called Village watch, surprisingly they were quick to respond. We traveled the side streets and found the golf cart part at a home on Mallory Hill Drive (Golf Course side). Village Watch took over and the last I saw he was knocking on their front door. What are these people thinking? Driving up to Mallory this 5 year old had to drive and cross O'Dell in the process. This young woman could hardly reach the brake when she had to .

[sukismom]

I have found the Village watch very helpful on villager to villager issues. I knew they would respond quicker.

[karostay]

When someone sees stupid..Police or no Police hats off to Villages watch their only looking out for evryones well being

[buggyone]

Congratulations on doing the right thing! It was good of you to talk to the woman. Lots of people would not do that. Calling Community Watch was the perfect thing to do. I am sure the lady got a good explanation of what her liabilities would be if there was an accident.

No, Community Watch is not the same as the police - but they are a good force to have to watch what is happening in the community. Very helpful people.

[mfp509]

Unfortunately this will always be a problem and sooner or later there will be a fatality. It's sad.

[graciegirl]

Congratulations on doing the right thing! It was good of you to talk to the woman. Lots of people would not do that. Calling Community Watch was the perfect thing to do. I am sure the lady got a good explanation of what her liabilities would be if there was an accident.

No, Community Watch is not the same as the police - but they are a good force to have to watch what is happening in the community. Very helpful people.

I agree again with you Buggyone.

This little reminder was in the Sun this morning.

I would hve written it a little stronger....such as..."Listen UP! We love kids here and we are sure you love yours, STOP endangering their life and ours. You've got a lot to learn about raising kids!"

I COULD never say that to anyone ....ever but in this case I might have.

[asianthree]

and summer begins

[SALYBOW]

Unfortunately there is no cure for stupid.

[mfp509]

I've seen them strapped in the golf bag area on carts again, also. Every summer it is the same thing.

[buggyone]

I've seen them strapped in the golf bag area on carts again, also. Every summer it is the same thing.

Well, when we something stupid and dangerous, let's make it a point to inform the grownup (nicely, of course) how dangerous it is!

If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.

[mfp509]

I was in my car driving - saw it at a distance or I would have said something.

[Challenger]

Community Watch is a good thing. They might not have ultimate authority, but this is a perfect case of where they can be helpful without requiring direct confration that may be disasterous.

[travelguy]

from what i remember there was a fatality reported on in one of the vha or poa newsletters, the one that reports on golf cart incidents/accidens. i believe that a child was killed in some sort of golf cart mishap. maybe it is time for TV to regulate the use of golf carts within the boundaries of our community.

[Trayderjoe]

from what i remember there was a fatality reported on in one of the vha or poa newsletters, the one that reports on golf cart incidents/accidens. i believe that a child was killed in some sort of golf cart mishap. maybe it is time for TV to regulate the use of golf carts within the boundaries of our community.

I think that I see a "slippery slope" on the horizon and would caution that we need to be careful of what we wish. Where I work, if someone does something "stupid", a new work process, rule, requirement, etc. is written and implemented. While the intent is good, the result is that people who know better and are following the rules, end up being "burdened" to do more to "protect" them from themselves. Perhaps, if people who do stupid things are actually held accountable for their actions and are made to "pay the price" they will think next time. Why do people need to have their own accident in order to believe that yes, it can happen to you?

My running "joke" at work is that we need to let Darwin's theories take effect so that the lower end of the gene pool is thinned out. I know that this sounds harsh, but the way things are going, pretty soon when I drive my car, I am going to have to wear a "crash suit" with a helmet to drive to Dunkin Donuts, the speed limit on 466 will be 15 mph or less and my monthly car insurance bill will cost more than a monthly mortgage payment. Oh, perhaps I shouldn't have identified Dunkin Donuts in my example since it will probably be shutdown when someone else has an issue with how they feel the food to be "unhealthy". They will then pass legislation to protect me from myself since I can't seem to determine for myself that there is healthier food out there. Think it can't happen? Check out New York City and their legislation around fast food. The bottom line is that you can't fix stupid and we shouldn't try to legislate people to protect them from stupidity since the only people who feel the pinch of the legislation are people who know better. :mad: :mad: :024:

[tommy steam]

This is my point of view. The woman/girl was an idiot for letting a 5 year old drive the golf cart. The child doesn't know they are doing somthing very dangerous that could cause a loss of life. Driving a golf cart around the villages is a challenge for an adult with cars, bycycles, and all kinds of foot traffic. I think the villages is just too big to allow kids to drive a golf cart around here. People don't like rules but many times people who do stupid things affect us all. Maybe kids should have a drivers license before driving a golf cart.

[jblum315]

People come here from the Arctic States and the sun makes them crazy. I am sure that young woman would not allow a 5-year-old to steer her automobile

[Barefoot]

Yesterday while up at the Mallory pool, I saw a golf cart drive in rather quickly. Driving this gas powered 4 forward seater was a 5 year old. (white cart with red sunbrella) A young woman was in the passenger seat pushing the gas pedal. I stopped them and informed her that it was against the law and very dangerous to allow a child to drive a golf cart. She switched seats with him and they drove away. Shortly after while driving on Gayles Mill, I saw the same golf cart, child driving through the side streets. I called Village watch, surprisingly they were quick to respond. We traveled the side streets and found the golf cart part at a home on Mallory Hill Drive (Golf Course side). Village Watch took over and the last I saw he was knocking on their front door. What are these people thinking? Driving up to Mallory this 5 year old had to drive and cross O'Dell in the process. This young woman could hardly reach the brake when she had to .

Good for you Sukismom. I will never understand why a parent would willingly put a child in harm's way.

[CFrance]

It seems like it doesn't matter what season it is. Stupid people will continue to do stupid things year-round.

Good for you. You tried to fix stupid and it didn't work, so you went to community watch and id'd the less than intelligent person. Perhaps CW had more luck convincing her what she was doing is so wrong.

[kb8tpw]

You have to have eagle eyes. Had about a 6-7 year old driving, grandma on the other side, in front of Havana just as I was about to go thru the gates come flying out of the side and never even looked, let alone stopped. I would like to have shook that grandma to pieces and made the boy walk home....

[SusanOfWoodbury]

Some people need to realize the golf carts are not, toys!

[graciegirl]

Yesterday, coming home in our car from visiting a friend at the hospital on Morse north of 466 we passed a cart being driven by a boy of about seven with his fathers arm around him. We paused as he cut across in front of us to make the turn before 466.

My window mechanism failed to roll down. I was gonna roll it down and SAY something to that father. Sweetie said that it was a good thing that I couldn't get the window down. It would NOT have made any difference and that young father would have just thought me to be an old fool.

AND SINCE we cannot change the behavior of young visitors, I am glad that I don't have to witness dangerous behavior like this a lot and one of the reasons I chose to live in an over 55 community. I love children and I worry a lot and I have grown old enough to have seen terrible things happen if we don't use good judgment.

The cart lanes are so narrow on Morse north of 466 that they give me pause and I certainly would not think it safe to be guiding the cart from the passenger seat.

Thank you all for listening. I feel better.

[CFrance]

Yesterday, coming home in our car from visiting a friend at the hospital on Morse north of 466 we passed a cart being driven by a boy of about seven with his fathers arm around him. We paused as he cut across in front of us to make the turn before 466.

My window mechanism failed to roll down. I was gonna roll it down and SAY something to that father. Sweetie said that it was a good thing that I couldn't get the window down. It would NOT have made any difference and that young father would have just thought me to be an old fool.

AND SINCE we cannot change the behavior of young visitors, I am glad that I don't have to witness dangerous behavior like this a lot and one of the reasons I chose to live in an over 55 community. I love children and I worry a lot and I have grown old enough to have seen terrible things happen if we don't use good judgment.

The cart lanes are so narrow on Morse north of 466 that they give me pause and I certainly would not think it safe to be guiding the cart from the passenger seat.

Thank you all for listening. I feel better.

Sweetie probably saw that coming and employed the child-lock mechanism!

[jblum315]

Clever comeback, but I think child lock only works on the rear windows

[CFrance]

Clever comeback, but I think child lock only works on the rear windows

Not on my car. My husband is constantly hitting the wrong button and locking all the windows shut.

[tommy steam]

I'd like to see more cops driving around here, giving tickets out to these foolish people and a good verbal lashing. Maybe it would save someone from a serious accident .

[T-325]

Is this an issue of a summertime renter doing crazy stuff or a year round resident indulging his grandkids.

I think TOTV should be required reading for all residents! ;)

[gustavo]

Some people need to realize the golf carts are not, toys!

Some 5 year olds operate giant combines on farms, dangerous or not?

[pooh]

Some 5 year olds operate giant combines on farms, dangerous or not?

Dangerous, yes, but danger and stupidity aside, it's against the law to be younger than 14 if you're driving a golf cart.

[Phyrst]

Community Watch acts as the eyes and ears of The Villages. If you see a situation that is questionable, do not hesitate to call 753-0550 at any time of the day.

[Villages PL]

Yesterday while up at the Mallory pool, I saw a golf cart drive in rather quickly. Driving this gas powered 4 forward seater was a 5 year old. (white cart with red sunbrella) A young woman was in the passenger seat pushing the gas pedal. I stopped them and informed her that it was against the law and very dangerous to allow a child to drive a golf cart. She switched seats with him and they drove away. Shortly after while driving on Gayles Mill, I saw the same golf cart, child driving through the side streets. I called Village watch, surprisingly they were quick to respond. We traveled the side streets and found the golf cart part at a home on Mallory Hill Drive (Golf Course side). Village Watch took over and the last I saw he was knocking on their front door. What are these people thinking? Driving up to Mallory this 5 year old had to drive and cross O'Dell in the process. This young woman could hardly reach the brake when she had to .

It's called "child endangerment" and it's a serious crime.

[handyman]

I'm surprised that the Village Watch would even respond at all. They are not the police.

They may not be sworn policemen ,but many are retired policemen that patrol for neighborhood watch , they know law and procedure,and can have a sworn deputy at a scene within minutes........

[dillywho]

Some 5 year olds operate giant combines on farms, dangerous or not?

While it may be "dangerous or not", there is no traffic on the farm. :0000000000luvmyhors:0000000000luvmyhors

[buggyone]

I would really doubt if any farmer would let a 5 year old operate a giant combine on a farm. He may let the child steer while on his lap but certainly not actually operate the combine.

What one of us can say that our fathers did not let us steer a tractor while sitting one his lap - or steer a car - in an unpopulated area (I hope)?

Certainly though, a 5 year old steering a golf cart while on one of the multi-modal trails is equivalent to steering a car on a populated street - and is terribly dangerous and should not be tolerated by anyone. If you see this, let the grownup know it is WRONG and then call Community Watch from your cellphone. Good possibility that the grownup will say something like, "Mind your own business" but still you have done your duty. Let them know you have called Community Watch, also.

It has been said on TOTV before that it is a great idea to have Community Watch on your cellphone list. 352-753-0550

[travelguy]

I think that I see a "slippery slope" on the horizon and would caution that we need to be careful of what we wish. Where I work, if someone does something "stupid", a new work process, rule, requirement, etc. is written and implemented. While the intent is good, the result is that people who know better and are following the rules, end up being "burdened" to do more to "protect" them from themselves. Perhaps, if people who do stupid things are actually held accountable for their actions and are made to "pay the price" they will think next time. Why do people need to have their own accident in order to believe that yes, it can happen to you?

My running "joke" at work is that we need to let Darwin's theories take effect so that the lower end of the gene pool is thinned out. I know that this sounds harsh, but the way things are going, pretty soon when I drive my car, I am going to have to wear a "crash suit" with a helmet to drive to Dunkin Donuts, the speed limit on 466 will be 15 mph or less and my monthly car insurance bill will cost more than a monthly mortgage payment. Oh, perhaps I shouldn't have identified Dunkin Donuts in my example since it will probably be shutdown when someone else has an issue with how they feel the food to be "unhealthy". They will then pass legislation to protect me from myself since I can't seem to determine for myself that there is healthier food out there. Think it can't happen? Check out New York City and their legislation around fast food. The bottom line is that you can't fix stupid and we shouldn't try to legislate people to protect them from stupidity since the only people who feel the pinch of the legislation are people who know better. :mad: :mad: :024:

however, my insurance rates and medical insurance rates go up because of other people's stupid choices. and that gets me angry.
the 'thinning out of the gene pool' made me laugh, glad you had the nerve to say that. unhealthy choices should be penalized; if you are a smoker you should pay lots more for health insurance. but now i have gone off on another topic.
:popcorn:

[NotGolfer]

I would really doubt if any farmer would let a 5 year old operate a giant combine on a farm. He may let the child steer while on his lap but certainly not actually operate the combine.

What one of us can say that our fathers did not let us steer a tractor while sitting one his lap - or steer a car - in an unpopulated area (I hope)?

Certainly though, a 5 year old steering a golf cart while on one of the multi-modal trails is equivalent to steering a car on a populated street - and is terribly dangerous and should not be tolerated by anyone. If you see this, let the grownup know it is WRONG and then call Community Watch from your cellphone. Good possibility that the grownup will say something like, "Mind your own business" but still you have done your duty. Let them know you have called Community Watch, also.

It has been said on TOTV before that it is a great idea to have Community Watch on your cellphone list. 352-753-0550

"Might" not let a 5 yr. old drive a combine but I live with someone whose dad had him learn to drive the tractor at age 5...learned to work like a man early. While I don't agree with letting a 5 yr old drive a golf cart in T.V. I've heard of LOTS of folks who've had ATV's, golf carts etc on acerages up north that let their kids/grandkids on these. THAT'S not safe neither but sort of the same mind-set. If let up to me---I'd not let anyone below the age of 16 on any of these vehicles!!!