accident Morse gate at 466
 

A car has just wiped out the median separating the resident lane from the guest lane at Morse Blvd and 466.How it happened I don't know.When I went by, the guest lane was closed and the car with its passenger side front smashed in,was resting on top of the post that divides the two lanes.A woman was sitting in the car using the phone.The fire department was there sweeping up debris and the gate attendant was directing all traffic through the resident lane.

Accident on 466
 

It is very difficult to get a car through those gates. You first must decide which lane to aim for, then you must navigate the visitor side with that intimidating guard with a stop sign or aim for the resident side requiring you to stick your pass card out of your window. It is just more than some people can handle after dark. :D

I have had people honk at me so they could get thru this gate faster.... even though I have been through this gate many times, it still is confusing with a lot of traffic stopped by the gate attendant...

I agree.... I have people honk at me to get thru this gate faster.... even though I have been through it many times.... I find it is very frustrating to have impatient people wanting me to move faster!

Been there, done that. I let them honk away. After all they are behind you!

Of all the gates in TV, I believe this one is the worst. It is on a very heavily traveled road, and causes backups and (obviously) confusion. Noting that the gates don't do any real security, perhaps it is time to rethink the gates, at least in this location. I realize the main purpose of the gates to to slow traffic approaching the golf cart crossings, but perhaps the whole concept needs to be reevaluated/re engineered? Just a thought based on this accident and what I see when I use Morse N bound at this point.

I've said all along, "Some people know how to aim their car; others know how to drive their car." There is a big difference. Sadly, the driver in this case can't even aim it properly.

If people can not figure out how to drive in a straight line thru a gate those people will be in deep doo doo when they have to negotiate a roundy round.

I'm with you. What is confusing about two lanes of traffic? It is no different than stopping at a traffic light. When it's your turn, you go.

I agree 100%. My point about possibly rethinking the gates has nothing to do with driving skills, although I often see drivers who (sadly) shouldn't be driving anymore...perhaps this isn't the appropriate thread for my comment. This accident report just got me thinking about this particular gate, where I often see folks quickly change lanes at the last minute to get in the shorter line.

I agree. Just get in a lane and stay there.
Also if it is hard for someone at night................maybe they should not drive at night!

I read a lot of things said on here and have to wonder. Should a lot of the people driving in TV be driving at all. This gate is not that hard to figure out. It the same all over the place, guest on the left and resident on the right. The guard alternates the traffic flow to keep vehicles moving. Learn the rules of the road. Stop trying to change the rules.

I go through the gate often. I see no problem as there is plenty of time to get in your lane AND STAY there. I think the guards do a great job.

That is the fault of the driver, not the gate or its design. They just need to take a chill-pill. These are the same people that cut in front of you in traffic, grocery lines, etc.

The gate guard at this specific gate will have the two lanes of traffic alternate on going through. Added to the mixture of traffic at that gate are the golf carts which have to cross Morse when headed South in order to get to the multi-modal trail on the other side.

It is not rocket science - just have to take an extra minute at the most and be alert as to what is happening while you are driving.

People are just in too much of a hurry these days....especially the ones that have to be First in line & have to get somewhere fast...!!!!

So now we have the gate that is at fault as well as the gatekeeper.

If a driver can't handle this gate their problems , far from removing this gate, will do nothing because there will be another obstacle down the road Essentially the driver is the problem and rather than removing the gate authorities should remove the driver

I am just wondering that some people be in rush getting through the gate(s). I always thought that all is made for people which have a little bit time because they are retired. Yes, I know these "drivers" changing in a faster lane but I let'm go without honking because I feel sorry for them….. very sorry, they don't have time, have to rush, rush!

I hope folks are not thinking I am blaming the gate or the gate keeper for that accident. Quite the contrary! The post about the accident just caused me to think about that gate, and what I see sometimes when I approach it...sometimes a back up, and sometimes drivers in a hurry switching lanes. (perhaps this accident was because someone was trying to switch lanes at the last minute?) I personally think the gates are kinda silly, but understand their reason for being, and always defend them to my friends who wonder why they are there... if anyone can get in. Like many other growth issues in TV, I was thinking that the gate now might be better if further north from 466, (or perhaps the roadway and cart crossing re-designed...Morse is only one lane all the way to Camino Real). I think the gate keepers do a great job all over TV.

Is this the first accident at this gate? I don't remember another.
Now we want the gate moved? Hmmmm

Hopefully, the driver who was at fault will be required to pay for all damages done to the surrounding area.

You had a great post, telling us about an accident. I don't think anyone feels you were blaming anyone. I felt you were just pointing out the problem. There are problems of some sort anywhere you drive. IMHO, some here should not be driving and many seem to impatient and in too big of a hurry. Also, we all make mistakes and thankfully those mistakes do not always results in accidents. That is why they are called ACCIDENTS. I thought we left that all behind when we retired but I guess some did not.
It's a beautiful day in The Villages.

Every time there is an accident folks on this blog want to change everything. Maybe it's the operator who needs to change.

I guess the first thing would be to pay attention and secondly, both lanes are marked to go the same way. Seems that there is a gate attendant to slow up cars that may bottleneck into one lane. I remember last year heading through the gate and the gentleman was using the STOP sign to wave everyone through the VISITOR lane. That is a tough gate too manage.

in my opinion, the problem isn't the gate, it's that Morse is a very busy road and it narrows to one lane from 2 lanes right after the gate. The gate person has a very responsible job to keep the traffic going safely.

Morse should have been two lanes north of 466. Bad planning, and now it's impossible to upgrade the road.

Consideration
 

As I understand it the gate attendant has been told to disregard the cart traffic and only consider the cars. This has caused the cart crossing to be darting between traffic. When mentioned to the Management of the gate crossing guard that sometimes the carts back up into the south lanes with no relief from the guard it was said the cart drivers should either "shout" or "blow their horns". Given the two lanes into one and the carts trying to dart in front of on coming
traffic it seems to be an accident in waiting. :bowdown:

I have taken the crossover many times in my golf cart just before coming to the gate. The gate attendant does pay attention to the carts and will stop traffic to let carts cross in safety. Those guys and gals do a great job.

Should Add
 

I should have added that at one time I spoke to the person who manages the gate attendant and was specifically told they have directions to concentrate on the cars and they are not to include the carts when working on the traffic. That is the background as to how I was informed a cart driver should either yell or blow their horns to get the attention of the attendant. :bowdown:

As I said, I have crossed that spot dozens of times in my golf cart, had the attention of the gate attendant who stopped traffic, and never had a problem.

At Least once a year someone brings up the need for the gates in TV. And every time it is discussed the ultimate opinion is that the gates provide safety and because they snap a picture of who is using a gate provide assitstance should a need arise.

The gates are properly designed, properly attended and assist in the flow of traffic from four directions.

The gate keepers a Morse have enough of a burden to keep traffic flowing on Morse. Perhaps in moments of light traffic they can and will assist golf carts but to do both carts and cars at the same time is a bit of stretch beside which it is not done at any of the gates.

The property Mgt people were at Morse this AM making repairs

Anythink is possible.............given enough time and money.

They also are our neighbors......................

What everyone is forgetting is, The Villages is a retirement community and we need to slow down. What is our big hurry.

My thoughts exactly. Jeesh!