Morse Blvd safety
 

According to the online paper, Sumter county sees no way to widen Morse Blvd North of 466.
I think they missed the boat (this is where everyone else can get in).
I am not a traffic engineer, but here is my humble opinion.
Sumter County, would it be possible to move the golf cart lanes away from the existing roadway, if necessary on the opposite side of the drainage ditch? My thoughts are this would effectively widen the roadway, and hopefully provide sufficient space to include the suggested left turn lanes. Then provide specific location where the golf carts could cross Morse. This will probably involve the installation of traffic lights, which in turn will have the effect to slow traffic.
From a Google map review, it appears there is sufficient space to move the golf cart lanes, not sure if the additional space from the moved golf cart lanes will support left turn lanes. Also, there would probably be a need for curbing on the new golf cart lanes to keep carts from crossing in between the designated areas. I am sure this approach will need much less right of way than the proposed 4 lane roadway.

I think this is a balanced approach that addresses most if not all of the concerns expressed for the safety of this road.

Now before the lynch mob forms for this poster, I completely agree with many of the online comments, that this safety concern is probably being blown way out of proportion, but I have been on this stretch several times over the last 6 months, and have decided to avoid that area as it seems to congested, and all people using this section need to be very mindful of the traffic.
Let the fun bring!!!!

I think the safety factor is more of an issue for carts crossing from east to west, or vice versa than travelling in the same direction as vehicle traffic. I think the volume of traffic and the speed of traffic is the main culprit. Slower speed limit (I know it's only 30) and traffic signals may help alleviate the problem. The county and law enforcement are aware of the situation, whether they act to ease the problem above and beyond speed limit enforcement is anyone's guess. I don't think the problem is overblown, and I won't be joining a lynch mob anytime soon .

The only problem I've encountered on a very rare occasion was on the cross over point to get my cart to merge southbound to get on the path. Mostly during heavy traffic autos would ignore my signal left and gun it to pass me forcing me to jerk back to left sometimes greeting me with a one finger salute and horn blast. I believe the biggest problem with Morse blvd traffic speeding is because it's used as a cut thru between 27/441 and 466. I haven't had any scary incidents on morse in our cart in the past six weeks or so.

They wouldn't need to widen the roadway, just put grass here the golf cart lane is now and put the golf cart lane where the grass was originally.

Deleted double post

As stated by Don; "I believe the biggest problem with Morse blvd traffic speeding is because it's used as a cut thru between 27/441 and 466." With the increase of traffic traveling from the south end to 466 I strongly agree that we need improved or new roads to accomodate the volume of cars. Reality is that with enough money anything can be done. If I'm correct Morse runs not only in Sumter but also in Lake counties. I suggest that what is needed is a coordinated approach to this by the state, Lake and Sumter. Making Rolling Acres 4 lanes would help. New underground drainage and a relocated Golf cart lane would definitely permit a 4 lane Morse. Mostly eliminating Golf carts from sharing Morse and instead creating a dedicated multimodal only pathway is the best way to improve safety for both cars, bikers and carters.

Widen Morse to 4 lanes........................now you really have a shortcut to 27/441!

And a speedway too.

Where the grass is, is a drainage ditch. You also have the problem of what to do with intersections? When you drive the cart path along BV, 466, or Camino Real, the cart path moves behind the gates that are each of the side street. The side streets off of Morse have no gates.

I'm surprised to hear people say that. I drive on this section of Morse quite often in both my car and golf carts and I rarely see people speeding. When I'm in my car I usually set my speed control right at 30 and it's rare that I have someone tailgating me. I think that most people drive 30-35mph in that area.

That's not to say that there is not an occasional speeder but I don't see it as a chronic problem.

4 lanes, move the cart/bike lane, redo the drainage ditch, turn lanes, traffic lights - who is supposed to pay for that and for the taking of the land to go along with all of these wants? The only things that are needed are obedience to traffic laws, common sense and a little bit of courtesy!

That's actually such a simple and logical solution, that it may be brilliant. It would require just pouring another curb? The only problem I can think of is the path at intersections. But that may not be much of an issue, really.

Cut through of Morris road
 

I have the solution, stop the cut through from non residence on Morris Blvd, we all know that will never happen because Morris doesn't want to maintain this road.

Sumter County doesn't build or maintain the golf cart paths, only the roads.

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And more speeding! Same with widening Rolling acres.

i have looked at this possibility and think it would work. It would require the removal of some trees but little else.

it's our money that will pay for it. Sumter county has a gold mine regarding the villages. Here we have 118,000 people paying school taxes and with none of us having a child in a sumter county school.

I'm gonna say it...I simply do not see a significant problem on Morse. Even in the winter, I get where I want to go with minimal delays and do not see any serious safety issues. An occasional difficulty for a southbound golf cart trying to cross Morse north of the gates is the worst I see, and that is nothing that standard caution cannot take care of.

Reckless, insensitive drivers...both car and cart...will cause accidents, as they will anywhere.

Morris?

I travel Morse quite often primarily to get to MVP. It can be a bear and it especially get backed up when people attempt left hand turns to some of the villages without traffic lights.

Leaving Morse to get to a cart path near the gate can create some problems.

You are not going to be able to control human behavior. So some changes to this road need to be modified to counter people's propensities.

some have mentioned drainage ditches and clearly they provide an opportunity to widen the road so that at least there is safer passage for golf carts.

Roads like Rio Grande and Del Mar are horrible for carts with no room for error especially on Rio Grande when leaving Sumter to Lake county.

If there is a cart in front of me when I cross to Lake county I just let the cart travel ahead to the stop sign at Del Mar because its just plain safer for all of us.

Morse is a concern and it does need to be addressed and I am certain those county officials responsible will find a satisfactory solutions

Trips to MVP are part of my frequent travels on Morse also. I agree that the cart lanes are too narrow on some side streets, especially Rio Grande. But that is the only significant issue I see.

Wouldn't the cut through give Morris The Cat quicker access to his Friskies on his way to Lake Sumpter? :boxing2:

Last week in my car with my speed control set to 30, I had a guy tail gate me going south on Morse and just north of Rio Grande he went across the double yellow line, passed me, slammed on his brakes while pulling in front of me then started screaming at me for going to slow. Going 30 caused him to go into total road rage, then he speeds off and was easily going 40.

I live in the area so I am impacted by this poorly planned roadway everyday. I would like to see 25 max speed limit, carts and cars share the road so at times traffic will only flow at 20, give the cart path to walkers and bicycles. Double speeding fines like in a construction zone. :a040::a040:

Like the local streets inside villages? Ain't gonna happen. And it shouldn't.

Why would anyone be using Cruise Control on a neighborhood road with slow speed limits and traffic lights and so many other possibilities to cause you to have to stop or slow down or swerve. I don't get it!! I only use cruise control on interstate highways/expressways. This sounds a lot more dangerous than speeders on Morse.

I don't know much, but this I do know: villagetinker is smart, real smart. If he says this will work, this will work.

And a whole lot more ENFORCEMENT of the existing laws.:police:

Maybe there is "pee" in Lake Sumter.:MOJE_whot::MOJE_whot::1rotfl::popcorn:

I use my cruise control any time I go over 25 mph. It in no way inhibits my ability to slow down or stop. If I need to stop, slow down or swerve, I simply step on the brake. Nothing dangerous about it.

Same here. (Maybe more like 35 mph for me.)

You have to careful it doesn't let you get too passive, but overall I think it's a good thing...positive speed control.

The issue is not so much the speed limit IMO. This :censored: person would have done the same to you if the limit was 25, I suspect no matter the limit.

It is hard to enforce aggressive drivers for law enforcement I suspect. They cannot be everywhere at once. If the story is accurate, this person should have been in big trouble... but how do we (the law) catch them?

Gate Timing
 

Maybe someone can tell me why every gate in the villages except the North Gate on Morse Blvd closes between every car.This gate remains open an excessive amount of time allowing car after car to pass thru most at a higher than normal speed.You literally take your life in your hands trying to pass thru this intersection on the cart path as your sight line is blocked by the gate house.By closing the gate between each car you would give carts a chance to safely cross and would make Morse Blvd a less inticing"cut thru" to 441

:coolsmiley:

I do the same, with the cruise control set at 30 mph (or the appropriate posted speed), I have my foot positioned over the BRAKE pedal, and my reaction time is that much faster. I also would do this in FOG and very heavy rain conditions for the same reasons. I did however refrain from using it in icy or slick conditions, as it would be possible for the speed control to increase speed at a very in appropriate time (like a curve).

I have observed the same situation there when the gate arms remain straight up. Not only does the cars pass thru fairly quickly but cars coming from El camino start backing up. If you're in the cart you just have wait your turn. The ultimate solution would be to make Morse Blvd a very less desirable path to only use as a fast track between 27/441 and 466.

Has anyone called Village Community Watch 352-753-0550 or Public Safety 352 -205-8280 to report this situation?

A variety of unmarked cars, for starters, and VERY large fines as a deterrent.

All the gates will allow multiple cars to pass through. If you are behind a car whose driver has pushed the button and you just keep going, the gate will stay up. Or, of it has begun to come down, a sensor will make it stop and raise back up.

I agree. Speed limits are only for people who obey them. Some people drive as fast as they can go no matter what the speed limit.

By the way, lowering the speed limit on Morse to 25 would be absurd. It's one of two main north south thoroughfares in The Villages. 30 mph is low enough in fact, I've always thought that 35 would be more reasonable.

Most golf cart vs car accidents have had nothing to do with speed.

Agree completely with you. Buena Vista is 35 mph. Morse should be 35. I was on Morse yesterday and drivers seemed to be sticking to the 30 and golf carts did not do anything out of the ordinary. Turning onto Rio Grande was smooth and the carts on Rio Grande had no problem staying in the cart lane.

No changes needed but the 35 mph would make complete sense.

Piggy-backing is a dangerous practice.