580 traffic citations

[TVMayor]

580 traffic citations issued April-July in The Villages, 82 to golf carts
Between April 10 and July 8, the Sumter County Sheriff�s Office issued 580 traffic citations in the Sumter County portion of The Villages, according to a quarterly report presented to the Village Community Development Districts 1-3 and 5-8.

In addition to that, during the same time, the sheriff�s office issued 82 golf cart citations during that same time period.

The vehicle citations ranged from items such as unlawful speed and improper braking to not wearing a seat belt.

However, more than 65 percent of the citations issued to golf carts were for running a stop sign, and more than 18 percent of the citations were for operating a golf cart without a registration, which is issued when a golf cart exceeds the 19 mph speed limit.

The sheriff�s office reminds Villagers to obey all traffic rules � no matter what vehicle you are in.

580 traffic citations issued April-July in The Villages, 82 to golf carts - ************** (http://www.**************.com/580-traffic-citations-issued-april-july-in-the-villages/)

[pooh]

Seems there are a number of drives who feel the rules of the road, the laws, don't apply to them. Hopefully there are now 580 drivers who won't violate, at least the law they were cited for disobeying, and maybe all trafic laws.

Sorry if this offends anyone, but driving is a privilege and not a right. When you get behind the wheel you are responsible for your safety, that of your passengers and all others sharing the roads with you.

[Taltarzac725]

When I am out and about in the golf cart, so many golf cart drivers still seem to be in such a hurry. I put-put along at around 16 or so and still often have a line of impatient carters behind me.

[rhood]

What is improper braking?

[buggyone]

What is improper braking?

I do not know. You could call the sheriff office and ask them.

Most of the golf cart violations were for running stop signs. Keep in mind this is on the public roadways. Stop means a complete stop! Lots of those occur when coming from a cut path from the multimodal trail onto one of the cul de sacs. I have seen police set up waiting for carts who do the rolling stop. I imagine the residents of the cul de sac get tired of carts not stopping and notify the police.

[janmcn]

580 traffic citations issued April-July in The Villages, 82 to golf carts - ************** (http://www.**************.com/580-traffic-citations-issued-april-july-in-the-villages/)


I wonder how these numbers compare to a city of similar size, say Clearwater, FL.

[buggyone]

I wonder how these numbers compare to a city of similar size, say Clearwater, FL.

Interesting thought but actually not applicable in my opinion.

The traffic patterns and road speed limits are not comparable.

I believe that the Villagers are basically good drivers in their cars. There is some speeding for the posted limit but not too bad. Golf cart driving can be a different story. Too many carts are way over the 20 mph limit both on the multimodal trails and on the public roadways. True, police do not monitor the multimodal trails but it would be nice to see people obey the 20 mph limits.

[msfooter]

When I am out and about in the golf cart, so many golf cart drivers still seem to be in such a hurry. I put-put along at around 16 or so and still often have a line of impatient carters behind me.

It would certainly be helpful if you would do your put-puting along at 19-20 so the line behind you would not be so long. Jimmie

[Indydealmaker]

It would certainly be helpful if you would do your put-puting along at 19-20 so the line behind you would not be so long. Jimmie

Respectfully, I would like to know, assuming you are making a five mile trip, how can it be important to save 4.5 minutes by being able to do 20mph instead of 16mph? It is easier and safer to enjoy the view at the slower speed.

If one is really in a hurry, most roads around here let you drive a car from 20mph to 45mph.

[al & jane]

These numbers are really quite minimal considering the population. We moved here from a community of 80,000 where at least 50 tickets per day were written compared to Sumter County's average of 5 per day.

I can actually go for several weeks without seeing a deputy and I am out a lot.

580 traffic citations issued April-July in The Villages, 82 to golf carts - ************** (http://www.**************.com/580-traffic-citations-issued-april-july-in-the-villages/)

[JerryP]

It would certainly be helpful if you would do your put-puting along at 19-20 so the line behind you would not be so long. Jimmie


That's the whole point in put-putting, relaxing, retired, in no hurry.

[TVMayor]

I would find it interesting to know the total cost of the 580 citations. A friend of mine has an investment in the total, she went 4mph over in her car. Too much NASCAR channel I guess.

[Mimivillager]

Maybe the cart won't go any faster?
Sometimes mine doesn't. It used to bother me when everyone felt they had to fly past me. Now it doesn't bother me anymore. I just enjoy the ride.

[janmcn]

The speed limit is 19mph............move over!


Nineteen mph is the maximum speed allowed. Is there a minimum speed limit? Can you get pulled over for going ten mph?

[karostay]

580 traffic citations issued April-July in The Villages, 82 to golf carts - ************** (http://www.**************.com/580-traffic-citations-issued-april-july-in-the-villages/)

82 golf cart violations in a community of my guess would be
80,000 + or - golf carts is very low and not news worthy and 18% be deemed street legal= 14 carts YAWN

[blueeagle65]

Kudos to the deputies! Get em all! :D

[billethkid]

these numbers represent law enforcement's TOKEN presence.
To be more realistic that should be a monthly goal and even then the numbers would still be too low.

what we need is a citizen's arrest law allowing us to report violations that lead to citation and fining.

How about an all volunteer traffic posse with full citation and fine capabilities? Where do I sign up.

If traffic violations were a communicable disease the CDC in Atlanta would have to quarantine and shut down TV.

Traffic/moving violations here are mega epidemic!!

btk

[bluedog103]

When I am out and about in the golf cart, so many golf cart drivers still seem to be in such a hurry. I put-put along at around 16 or so and still often have a line of impatient carters behind me.

I wonder how many carts have speedometers. I suspect that a lot of the creeps are going a lot slower than they think. Be a good neighbor. If you find yourself leading a parade, pull over and enjoy the scenery while those with someplace to go can get there.

[George Bieniaszek]

Today I had a devilish smirk on my face, not once, but twice. We were going "off campus" in our car today and saw a police officer on a motorcycle with a golf cart pulled over just before the Sunset Point Gate. Looked like someone was getting a ticket. Approx. 4-5 hours later we were back in The Villages and saw another Police Officer northbound on Morse between SS and LSL with another golf cart pulled over and someone was getting another ticket. In both cases, the drivers did not look happy.

We zip along The Villages in our golf cart legal eagle with a top speed of 19 MPH and cannot believe how fast some of the carts are set to go. We have been passed in some dangerous places, like around blind turns, carts cutting close to us because they didn't have sufficient distance to pass safely. Some of the carts seemed like they were tweaked to go close to 30MPH. These carts in most cases are not "street Legal" meaning that they do not have sufficient brakes, suspensions, or seat belts to handle these speeds or provide safety for the operators.

If the added enforcement will increase the safety of us Villagers who abide by the rules, then I am all for it!!

[Warren Kiefer]

580 traffic citations issued April-July in The Villages, 82 to golf carts - ************** (http://www.**************.com/580-traffic-citations-issued-april-july-in-the-villages/)


Now you know how the county is able to hire 18 new deputies.

[buggyone]

Now you know how the county is able to hire 18 new deputies.

I saw that a new sheriff deputy earns $42,900 per year plus benefits.

[kittygilchrist]

I saw that a new sheriff deputy earns $42,900 per year plus benefits.

Ok then, that should feed a family of 4 and pay a mortgage.

[buggyone]

Ok then, that should feed a family of 4 and pay a mortgage.


In this part of Florida that is a very decent starting salary. If a family of four would have trouble on the salary, the spouse could also find a job. Nothing wrong with both parents working. My wife and both worked as well as being parents.

[DougB]

Ok then, that should feed a family of 4 and pay a mortgage.

Not really, a family living on 42,900 qualifies for reduced lunch in our public schools.

[Skybo]

I pass carts that are slower than mine, and I get passed by carts that are faster than mine. I don't care how fast, or slow other folks drive their carts. But I will say...if you are putting along and see a line of carts backed up behind you, then pull over and let them pass, it's just common courtesy. And if you pass someone who is going slower than you, wave ALL of your fingers.

[mulligan]

If I read correctly, That 42,900 includes benefits. Not that great.

[MikeV]

It's all about revenue. The almighty buck "drives" these tickets. I took a citizens police academy course a few years ago and in talking to officers and on ride alongs they alluded to the revenue theory. Often with a grin.

[Mimivillager]

Yesterday a cart pulled out in front of a truck to pass me.
Not too smart.

[rubicon]

It's all about revenue. The almighty buck "drives" these tickets. I took a citizens police academy course a few years ago and in talking to officers and on ride alongs they alluded to the revenue theory. Often with a grin.

MikeV you are spot on. a recent report on Television pointed out that communities all over the country are utilizing traffic tickets as a source of income and as this repot called them nothing but taxes. Take for instance the push on red light cameras. Experts have shown that if the rationale for such purchase is for safety then all communities have to do is reconfigure the yellow light slightly to alleviate it. There is also some complaints that police are abusing this system and people are being given tickets when they were never in the area owing to blurred photos of license plates, etc.

It seems some folks express their contempt for drivers who are ticketed but I wonder if those same folks are without sin?"

[capecodbob]

If I'm poking along I always wave the faster carts by. Simple act of courtesy that is easy to do.
Every now and then I see Mr./Mrs./Ms. Unconscious who has several carts jammed up behind him/her. How easy it would be to pull over and let the faster carts go on there merry way.
But wait, maybe they were on the safety patrol in elementary school and they want to "set the pace for safety" :shrug:

BB

[Schaumburger]

Not to hijack the thread -- but I will be back in TV in October for an LSV. I have read several times on TOTV that the golf carts that come with the LSV homes are quite slow. Is this true, and if so, when driving this golf cart should I be prepared to pull over a lot and let people behind me pass? I will just be vacationing in TV so I won't be in a great hurry to get anywhere, and I don't want to hold up anyone who is going to an appointment, a class or a tee time. Thanks in advance.

[buggyone]

Not to hijack the thread -- but I will be back in TV in October for an LSV. I have read several times on TOTV that the golf carts that come with the LSV homes are quite slow. Is this true, and if so, when driving this golf cart should I be prepared to pull over a lot and let people behind me pass? I will just be vacationing in TV so I won't be in a great hurry to get anywhere, and I don't want to hold up anyone who is going to an appointment, a class or a tee time. Thanks in advance.

I would not say you have to pull over a lot to let people pass as most people will pass you on their own - and most in a safe manner. However, it would be polite - as I know you are - to keep an eye on your rearview mirror and if you see more than a couple of carts in back of you, signal and pull over to the grass.

Yes, the gas powered carts provided by Villages Golf Carts are very slow at about 12 mph.

Stop in to the Iowa Club again when you visit.

[zonerboy]

If you are concerned about the number of citations issued and are worried about getting an expensive ticket, there's a simple solution: just obey the traffic laws. No Problemo.

[bluedog103]

Not to hijack the thread -- but I will be back in TV in October for an LSV. I have read several times on TOTV that the golf carts that come with the LSV homes are quite slow. Is this true, and if so, when driving this golf cart should I be prepared to pull over a lot and let people behind me pass? I will just be vacationing in TV so I won't be in a great hurry to get anywhere, and I don't want to hold up anyone who is going to an appointment, a class or a tee time. Thanks in advance.

Yes, the carts that come with the LSV are really slow. When we were on our LSVs I did as buggy suggested and kept checking my mirrors. If there were more than a couple of carts or if the same cart was behind me for awhile I'd pull over. I do the same thing walking down a crowded street. If I'm walking slower I step aside and let others past. Just common courtesy.

[Schaumburger]

Thanks for the advice. I have pulled over the golf cart in the past to let others go by, so it is the courteous thing to do. Hopefully the Iowa Club will be meeting during the time I am in TV in October. 12 MPH -- that does seem rather slow, but not a problem for me. I am just looking forward to returning to TV in 75 days (but who is counting). See you all on the cart trails!

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

That's 185 per month for a community of 100,000. 20 per month to golf carts. I understand that there are something 65,000 golf carts in the Villages.

Sounds like their pretty much leaving us alone and letting us drive.

I think that violators who are endangering the public should be cited. The problem that I have is when municipalities need some extra money so they start handing out tickets for people who do a rolling stop at stop signs or because your golf cart is going 21 mph. That really should fall into the category of harassment.

[Barefoot]

It's all about revenue. The almighty buck "drives" these tickets.

It may well be a source of revenue. But I would find it hard to criticize a police officer for doing his job, and giving a ticket to someone who has broken a law.

[SemiMike]

I pass carts that are slower than mine, and I get passed by carts that are faster than mine. I don't care how fast, or slow other folks drive their carts. But I will say...if you are putting along and see a line of carts backed up behind you, then pull over and let them pass, it's just common courtesy. And if you pass someone who is going slower than you, wave ALL of your fingers.

Reminds me of the old George Carlin joke about there being only 2 kinds of drivers: idiots and maniacs. An idiot is anyone driving slower than you, and a maniac is anyone driving faster!

He was quite an astute observer of life - sorry he is gone.

[3puttharry]

I wonder how many carts have speedometers. I suspect that a lot of the creeps are going a lot slower than they think. Be a good neighbor. If you find yourself leading a parade, pull over and enjoy the scenery while those with someplace to go can get there.

Totally agree (even though you are yankee fan). when ever we borrow a cart from the village cart store, they only do 15 mph. it does not take long to have a few carts behind being held up. We always pull over (even if it is one cart), let them pass. to be fair and also not be the cause of possible accident. go sox

[pooh]

That's 185 per month for a community of 100,000. 20 per month to golf carts. I understand that there are something 65,000 golf carts in the Villages.

Sounds like their pretty much leaving us alone and letting us drive.

I think that violators who are endangering the public should be cited. The problem that I have is when municipalities need some extra money so they start handing out tickets for people who do a rolling stop at stop signs or because your golf cart is going 21 mph. That really should fall into the category of harassment.

But Dr, a rolling stop is not a stop....and a violation at a stop sign. ;)

[mickey100]

I'd love to see them start giving tickets to the idiot drivers in the roundabouts. Twice in the past month I've had someone cut in front of me from the LEFT so they could turn RIGHT (from the left lane). Yikes!

[bluedog103]

Keep in mind that there were likely well over 580 citations issued. This number was what was written by the Sumter County Sheriff's Department. We don't know the number written by the Lady Lake Police Dept., Marion County Sheriff or Wildwood City Police or Florida State Police. Did I miss any?

[buggyone]

Keep in mind that there were likely well over 580 citations issued. This number was what was written by the Sumter County Sheriff's Department. We don't know the number written by the Lady Lake Police Dept., Marion County Sheriff or Wildwood City Police or Florida State Police. Did I miss any?

You missed Graciegirl's Super Soaker patrol. Don't mess with them ladies!

[Bosoxfan]

I pass carts that are slower than mine, and I get passed by carts that are faster than mine. I don't care how fast, or slow other folks drive their carts. But I will say...if you are putting along and see a line of carts backed up behind you, then pull over and let them pass, it's just common courtesy. And if you pass someone who is going slower than you, wave ALL of your fingers.

Well said.Too many folks are concerned about how fast others are going. If they're speeding then it's their choice & if they're caught by police officers(no citizens arrest please) then they have to pay the consequences . Please folks lighten up & tend to your own business.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Keep in mind that there were likely well over 580 citations issued. This number was what was written by the Sumter County Sheriff's Department. We don't know the number written by the Lady Lake Police Dept., Marion County Sheriff or Wildwood City Police or Florida State Police. Did I miss any?

Well if I'm not mistaken, about 80% of the Villages is in Sumter county. It's still a very small number.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I'd love to see them start giving tickets to the idiot drivers in the roundabouts. Twice in the past month I've had someone cut in front of me from the LEFT so they could turn RIGHT (from the left lane). Yikes!

I've heard that a few times on TOTV and I've never seen is happen. I've been living here over a year and drive around roundabouts almost every day. Why would anyone have to move into the right lane to make a right turn. I think that you can make a right turn at almost all the roundabouts while staying in the left lane.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Totally agree (even though you are yankee fan). when ever we borrow a cart from the village cart store, they only do 15 mph. it does not take long to have a few carts behind being held up. We always pull over (even if it is one cart), let them pass. to be fair and also not be the cause of possible accident. go sox

I'll agree with the Yankee fan as well. (Especially since they are 8 games behind my Red Sox) (Sorry, couldn't help it) What's the big deal some people want to go slow and some people want to go faster. How about if everyone just let's everyone do what they want to do. If they are exceeding the speed limit, allow them to take the risk of getting fined. People who drive fast are not preventing anyone that wants to go slower from doing so.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

It may well be a source of revenue. But I would find it hard to criticize a police officer for doing his job, and giving a ticket to someone who has broken a law.

No, but common sense should prevail. If I'm approaching an intersection in my golf cart and rolling at 3 mph, and can see a quarter of a mile down the road in both directions before I get to the intersection, and there are no cars coming, it's absurd for a cop to pull me over and give me a ticket.

The speed limit for carts is 19.9 mph. If I'm traveling at 21.4 mph, and doing nothing unsafe, is it reasonable for a cop to pull me over and give me a ticket.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

But Dr, a rolling stop is not a stop....and a violation at a stop sign. ;)


You're right, of course, but do you really want every law enforce in every single instance no matter how insignificant? Especially when nothing dangerous is being done. I think that almost every car could be pulled over every time it's driven no matter how careful and law abiding the driver.

Can every here say that they have never crossed the center line a tiny bit when making a left had turn? Do we want everyone who is going 2 mph over the speed limit pulled over?

Again, common sense should prevail. In fact when some of these cases come to court, they are tossed out and the officer is bawled out for wasting the court's time.

Blowing through a stop sign without slowing or looking, or pulling out in front of a car are serious violations that endanger other drivers. Let's let the officers
focus on those.

[Barefoot]

No, but common sense should prevail. If I'm approaching an intersection in my golf cart and rolling at 3 mph, and can see a quarter of a mile down the road in both directions before I get to the intersection, and there are no cars coming, it's absurd for a cop to pull me over and give me a ticket.

I'm curious, do you also feel that rolling stops should be ignored when you're driving a car?

[OpusX1]

[QUOTE=Dr Winston O Boogie jr;715427]I've heard that a few times on TOTV and I've never seen is happen. I've been living here over a year and drive around roundabouts almost every day. Why would anyone have to move into the right lane to make a right turn. I think that you can make a right turn at almost all the roundabouts while staying in the left

You may not make a right turn from the left lane. The left lane is only for going straight through or for making a left turn. Just like you may not make a left turn from the right lane. The right lane is for making a right turn or going straight through.
The signs before you enter the roundabout make this clear.
About the only time a ticket is issued is when there is an accident. If you are in the left lane and turn right at the first exit and cause an accident you will be cited just as you will be cited if you are in the right lane and hit some one in the left lane that is going straight through.

[NotGolfer]

I'd love to see them start giving tickets to the idiot drivers in the roundabouts. Twice in the past month I've had someone cut in front of me from the LEFT so they could turn RIGHT (from the left lane). Yikes!

If this is 2/3 of the way around the round-about this is legal. IF you would T-bone the car in that instance you'd be ticketed!

[rayschic]

I'd love to see them start giving tickets to the idiot drivers in the roundabouts. Twice in the past month I've had someone cut in front of me from the LEFT so they could turn RIGHT (from the left lane). Yikes!

You are not supposed to CHANGE lanes within the roundabout but you can exit from the left lane. If a driver is exiting from the left lane and you are in the right lane and hit him, YOU will be ticketed. It took a long time for me to get used to people exiting from the left. Here's a link to the guidelines.


http://www.districtgov.org/community/Roundabout-02-08-12.pdf

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

[QUOTE=Dr Winston O Boogie jr;715427]I've heard that a few times on TOTV and I've never seen is happen. I've been living here over a year and drive around roundabouts almost every day. Why would anyone have to move into the right lane to make a right turn. I think that you can make a right turn at almost all the roundabouts while staying in the left

You may not make a right turn from the left lane. The left lane is only for going straight through or for making a left turn. Just like you may not make a left turn from the right lane. The right lane is for making a right turn or going straight through.
The signs before you enter the roundabout make this clear.
About the only time a ticket is issued is when there is an accident. If you are in the left lane and turn right at the first exit and cause an accident you will be cited just as you will be cited if you are in the right lane and hit some one in the left lane that is going straight through.

OK, I misunderstood. I thought that by making a right hand turn you were talking about taking and exit from the roundabout from the left hand lane.

You are correct, no one should be taking the first exit from the left hand lane. But again, I can't remember ever seeing this happen. I have seen a few people confused at roundabouts and I assume that they are new here of visiting and are unfamiliar with the roundabout rules. I just slow down or stop and get out of their way. But, it hasn't happened very often.

[buzzy]

We recently did a fly/drive vacation in Ireland, where almost all intersections are controlled by roundabouts. On the two-lane roundabouts, these rules are strictly observed by cars, trucks and buses. It's a good thing that I had plenty of practice on The Villages roundabouts. (It was lots of fun going clockwise)

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I'm curious, do you also feel that rolling stops should be ignored when you're driving a car?

Absolutely they should if the driver has proceeded safely. In fact in many states that is the law. They found that the police were simply harassing people for no valid reason. They also found that something like 90% of the people don't come to a full and complete stop when it is unnecessary.
Like I said, I often am rolling at less that 5mph and can see for half a mile in both direction. I am going plenty slow enough to stop if I have to, but in many instances it is unnecessary.
Police ticketing people for things like that is only to raise money for the town.
I have had people who were at a full stop, see me and still pull out causing me to step on my brakes. Which is more dangerous?

[billethkid]

We recently did a fly/drive vacation in Ireland, where almost all intersections are controlled by roundabouts. On the two-lane roundabouts, these rules are strictly observed by cars, trucks and buses. It's a good thing that I had plenty of practice on The Villages roundabouts. (It was lots of fun going clockwise)

The problem here in TV is highlighted above. The violators are made up of: >those who don't care what the rules are (for anything)
>those who don't know the rules
>those who think the rules only apply to others
>a permissive population complimented by a permissive police force

as I said previously the 580 is nothing more than tokenism for the problem.
And as far as it being a revenue generated issue....so what. It is a revenue issue ONLY if you are one of the above........and remember no matter what one does it really isn't illegal until you get caught right?

I say add to the force and ticket consistently ech and every day until people strictly observe the rules......don't hold your breath.

btk

[bluedog103]

as I said previously the 580 is nothing more than tokenism for the problem.
And as far as it being a revenue generated issue....so what. It is a revenue issue ONLY if you are one of the above........and remember no matter what one does it really isn't illegal until you get caught right?

I say add to the force and ticket consistently ech and every day until people strictly observe the rules......don't hold your breath.

btk

BTK, have you ever broken a traffic law? If so, were you ticketed for every occasion? If you didn't receive a ticket for every traffic law broken I must assume that you drove to the police station and turned yourself in.

[DougB]

Bet this guy would know what to do in a roundabout.

Road rage + open window = plenty of laughs - YouTube

[Waynecarla]

WOW!!! Talk about road rage.

[billethkid]

BTK, have you ever broken a traffic law? If so, were you ticketed for every occasion? If you didn't receive a ticket for every traffic law broken I must assume that you drove to the police station and turned yourself in.

I don't follow the line of question or the issue?
No I am just like evrybody else that breaks traffic/moving violations every single time I am driving.....EXCEPT....... when I am in those towns or areas known to enforce those laws. Then like everybody else I slow right down and become a model driver.......until we get outta sight.

All I am advocating is the law be enforced to a point here in TV that everybody knows to slow down and be a model driver while on TV roads.
I long for the day when TV becomes noted for it's lifestyle, it's friendliness and IT'S most stringent TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT/speed traps.

Book em Danno!!.

btk

[BobnBev]

Absolutely they should if the driver has proceeded safely. In fact in many states that is the law. They found that the police were simply harassing people for no valid reason. They also found that something like 90% of the people don't come to a full and complete stop when it is unnecessary.
Like I said, I often am rolling at less that 5mph and can see for half a mile in both direction. I am going plenty slow enough to stop if I have to, but in many instances it is unnecessary.
Police ticketing people for things like that is only to raise money for the town.
I have had people who were at a full stop, see me and still pull out causing me to step on my brakes. Which is more dangerous?

Absolutely they should if the driver has proceeded safely. In fact in many states that is the law.

I can't think of ONE state where that is the law. I guess, by your way of thinking, we should get rid of all stop signs, replace them with yield signs.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Absolutely they should if the driver has proceeded safely. In fact in many states that is the law.

I can't think of ONE state where that is the law. I guess, by your way of thinking, we should get rid of all stop signs, replace them with yield signs.

No, I'm not saying that at all. I'm just saying that LE should and usually does use a little common sense. If someone is proceeding safely, there is no reason to ticket them. If someone comes to a complete stop and then pulls out in front of an oncoming car, that is obviously a problem. If someone completely blows through a stop sign that is an obvious problem and those drivers should be fined. But someone that almost comes to a complete stop and can clearly see that there is no oncoming traffic and proceeds after slowing down to 2 mph, that is not a problem.

I think that more of a problem is people that don't understand that the car that gets to the intersection first has the right of way and if the both get there at the same time, the car on the right has the right of way. I don't how many times I've arrived at an intersection at the same time as a car to my left and they sit there either not knowing what to do or waiting for me to go first. I finally realize that they want me to go first and as soon as I start, they start as well. Those people should have their licenses revoked. There are much more serious violations than people going through a stop sign after slowing to 2 mph.

You do bring up and interesting point however. I lived in the Philippines for about a year and except for a very few "Americanized" areas there are virtually no stop signs. Everyone slows down or stops when they get to an intersection and they proceed safely. There are almost no accidents at the intersections. It actually works out very well.

[Virtual Geezer]

The one thing the local sheriff need to do is stop profiling. I witnesses a speed checkpoint on Buena Vista at the Bridgeport gate. The sheriff was clocking traffic heading south from the Palmer roundabout. Now there were at least 4 chase sheriffs on motorcycles just waiting for the next victim. Along comes a car over the speed limit but along side of him being passed going at least 10 mph faster was a local construction worker in his truck. The construction worked did not get stopped but the car driver did and received a ticket. The construction worker never slowed down through the entire area and went on his way. Now they both should have received tickets if they were over the posted speed limit but I guess that is not the way it works in TV. Profiling at it's best.

VG

[Bogie Shooter]

The one thing the local sheriff need to do is stop profiling. I witnesses a speed checkpoint on Buena Vista at the Bridgeport gate. The sheriff was clocking traffic heading south from the Palmer roundabout. Now there were at least 4 chase sheriffs on motorcycles just waiting for the next victim. Along comes a car over the speed limit but along side of him being passed going at least 10 mph faster was a local construction worker in his truck. The construction worked did not get stopped but the car driver did and received a ticket. The construction worker never slowed down through the entire area and went on his way. Now they both should have received tickets if they were over the posted speed limit but I guess that is not the way it works in TV. Profiling at it's best.

VG

A few assumptions being made here.

[Virtual Geezer]

I call them the way I see them.

VG

[buggyone]

I call them the way I see them.

VG

Why not call the Sumter County sheriff office and file a citizen complaint against the profiling you saw?

[mickey100]

You are not supposed to CHANGE lanes within the roundabout but you can exit from the left lane. If a driver is exiting from the left lane and you are in the right lane and hit him, YOU will be ticketed. It took a long time for me to get used to people exiting from the left. Here's a link to the guidelines.


http://www.districtgov.org/community/Roundabout-02-08-12.pdf

I think you may have misread my post. I came up to the roundabout in the right lane. Someone came up at about the same time to the roundabout in the left lane. They accelerated ahead of me, cut in front of me and immediately turned right. This was going north on Buena Vista. They turned right onto Camino Real. From the lane they were in, their only legal options were to go straight or turn left.

I agree, it is bizarre, and having lived here 7 years, this is the first time its happened, and twice in one month. Scary to say the least. What more commonly occurs, and it happens VERY frequently, is some joker enters the right lane and tries to go 3/4 of the way around the roundabout in the right lane, so they can make their left turn. This is incorrect. When you enter the roundabout in the right lane, your only legal move is to turn right or go straight.

[tommy steam]

The one thing the local sheriff need to do is stop profiling. I witnesses a speed checkpoint on Buena Vista at the Bridgeport gate. The sheriff was clocking traffic heading south from the Palmer roundabout. Now there were at least 4 chase sheriffs on motorcycles just waiting for the next victim. Along comes a car over the speed limit but along side of him being passed going at least 10 mph faster was a local construction worker in his truck. The construction worked did not get stopped but the car driver did and received a ticket. The construction worker never slowed down through the entire area and went on his way. Now they both should have received tickets if they were over the posted speed limit but I guess that is not the way it works in TV. Profiling at it's best.

VG
Some years back I got a speeding ticket in an hov lane. When I said to the PO what about the other three lanes to my right who were going faster than me? His answer was,it's like fishing I can't catch everyone but I caught you. :laugh:

[kittygilchrist]

haha! my Tennessee aunt and uncle were pulled over on an interstate. My aunt leaned over from the passenger side to deliver this in her best Elizabethan/American English:
"We wasn't going no faster than anybody else. We was just the onliest one you could catch."