Rt 44 & Powell Rd
 

We've had multiple fatalities and injuries @ the intersection of Rt 44 & Powell Rd.

Its about time there is a 45 mph speed limit between Morse Blvd & US 301

With the current 55 mph, you can go 60 & not be cited for speeding.

So, your point is????? The are hundreds of thousands of miles of roads posted 55 and above. And isn't there a traffic light at that intersection? So for there to be an accident, somebody had to do something stupid, like run the light or turn on red in front of an oncoming car I don't buy that 55 vs. 45 increases accidents, otherwise just make the national speed limit 5 mph. On top of that, there really isn't much traffic coming by on 44. Drivers cause accidents, I see nothing at that intersection such as poor visibility that makes it dangerous. The side road intersections on 301 in the 65 mph. zones are far more dangerous.

My guess is that in the not to distant future, the speed limit will be reduced on that section of road, given the development taking place now.

And that would be fine, just like 466 and 27. But right now, this is a 4 lane divided highway with minimal intersections, minimal commercial development and not much traffic. I think any accidents are on the driver, not the road or speed limit.

I have friends who can see the 44A and BV intersection. They said there are a lot of accidents there as well.

Too bad there isn't a local police officer who follows these threads. I'll bet they would know what is dangerous and why it's dangerous all around us.

I'd like to know that as well. I live a mile from those intersections, drive thru them frequently and cannot see any problem, at least none that would be caused by anything other than utter stupidity.

Correct, there is no such thing as an accident. That word implies innocence.

I agree with Golfing eagles assessment. Don't believe the speed limit on that part of the road is the problem.

I am not saying this was the cause of this accident but we have all seen that frequently a right turn on a red light does not involve a stop or even a brake. People go through those red lights like there is a right arrow. A major accident waiting to happen.

Not even the occasional mechanical failure, blown tire, etc.?

Again, not an accident. Crash is appropriate. [emoji6]

Rt 44 & Powell Rd
 

No, the operator/owner is responsible for maintenance. I'm not saying 100% of the time, more like 99.8 %.

Perfect maintenance does not eliminate the possibility of a situation beyond one's control.

That's another one ! Out of control...tired of hearing that.

Rt 44 & Powell Rd
 

I've noticed here in FL nobody leaves a crash without getting a ticket. That's the way it should be. NY doesn't do that.

Wow. You keep telling yourself that.

Again, it takes two to tango and I don't dance.

My point is this. Crashes don't happen unless one or more operators do something irresponsible.

Are you sure it's not 99.7% or 99.9%? Can you back that up? There are actual accidents but most are human error.

I hope the speed limit isn't changed to compensate for inattentive drivers.

Quite the generalization.

I agree. If the stars are in perfect alignment an accident will occur.

People run that light on a consistent basis.

If we want these horrific crashes to cease, we need to have a round-a-bout installed there....

Lighted intersections are always more dangerous [and more serious crashes] than round-a-bouts.

I don't want another round about PLEASE. My opinion, they need to stop allowing left turns UNLESS there is a green arrow. Left turn yields are very dangerous, vision is blocked from oncoming cars etc. and this IMO is what causes most accidents.

I believe there are real accidents. Even with the best preventative maintenance catastrophic mechanical failures, although rare, do occur. People make cars, so by default – imperfect.

But you are correct accident implies innocence. Many law enforcement jurisdictions have changed their forms, where it once said “accident,” it now reads “crash.” Also, some insurance companies now use crash instead of accident.

We all have momentary lapses in judgment and they increase with age, which is why we must be EXTRA vigilant on the road. It’s tiring to drive with 110% alertness, but we must. 110% today, is our old 70%.

Rt 44 & Powell Rd
 

The only real accident I believe would be a medical condition which you have absolutely no knowledge of and strikes with no warning. In that case you truly are not in control. A mechanical failure can happen that is inherent in it's design and those cases have been litigated with the manufacturer proven at fault. I don't accept floor mats that impede control nor blowouts. These things can be prevented. Engines that suddenly stop or brakes failing are rare and if so can typically be traced to poor maintenance. I also don't like the fact that Florida does not require safety inspections. Poor judgement in some way by one or more parties cause crashes. Let's not loose site of texting or talking on the phone while driving. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

The police should already know where the trouble spots are since they at the scene of most every accident. Plus, posters can be somewhat misleading. Look at your post, "a lot of accidents at the intersection of Buena Vista and 44A", that intersection is a traffic circle. What do you propose to do with that traffic circle and the 35 others?

You’re free to write the State legislature and Governor to have the law changed and impose annual auto inspections. I have no doubt you will be cheered on by all your fellow big government left wing extremists.

I come from a family that’s had gas/service stations for 50 years and performed tens of thousands of inspections in Queens, you cannot predict catastrophic mechanical failure. Believe it or not, and I guess you choose not, failures do occur.

Do you have an explanation for the brake master cylinder that fails on a 6 month old car with 4k miles? Do you have an explanation for an oil pump bracket, of a power steering assembly, that fails in a new car at 1k miles? Do you have an explanation for tire failure due a bad bead chaffer on a tire with less than 50 miles? No, I didn’t think you did. None of these failures could have been predicted and preventative maintenance was clearly not an issue. Sometimes a bracket can fail because the ratio of metals was incorrect at the foundry. Even RickeyD could not see that coming. This may be difficult to believe, but cars are not perfect.

All that being said, I do agree almost all crashes are due to operator error. As for texting, I would like to add 3 more stupids to your 3 for a total of 6 stupids.

Most all of the accident's involve someone turning left in front of another vehicle. Pay attention people. We have some of the worst drivers here in the Villages. You need to drive very defensive around here. Speed has nothing to do with the accidents. If you make cars go too slow you will likely have even more accidents.

Run what light? The one on 44?
Run it in what direction?
How do you know People run that light on a consistent basis?

You're right.

I said 44A when I was thinking 466A. The road numbering down here gives me trouble but I should have looked it up and not have added to the confusion.

Just like guns aren't the problem with killing people, the irresponsible owners are. With the hundreds of accidents I worked, probably 3/4 of them were caused by irresponsible drivers; the balance due to mechanical issues, animals on the road, extreme weather event.....

We were spared
 

When we first moved here , hubby and I were almost killed. My light turned green and a person ran a clearly red light at about 55 mph. I was driving and if I had gone, like most people do, when my light turned green we would have been hit broadside at that high speed. We probably would have been seriously injured at best. This is a dangerous intersection. Speed should be reduced, given that traffic is increasing in that area.

You are so right. Heading west on 44 numerous cars kept turning left in front of me after their green left turn arrow ended. All of 44 should have red arrows after the green arrow ends.

No, drivers should stop for red lights!!!!

When I learned to drive in the snow on black ice, we were taught to NEVER go until all other cars have stopped. Good rule wherever you live.

I agree Doc. The same scofflaws that run red lights will ignore the slower speed limits.


Just drive very defensively. The place is populated by idiots behind steering wheels. I want everyone reading this to be here and be totally intact at the end of the crowded season April first.

The road should be slower. When heading up north if I take the inland route the speed changes all the time and the police are more than happy to hand out tickets.

What is the downside? It might take an extra minute or 2 to get on the turnpike?

Sorry, can't agree on this one. The natural extrapolation of that philosophy is to set all speed limits at 5 mph., or better yet just walk (across the country to LA) --it's "safer". Getting T-boned by an idiot running a red light isn't going to have a much different result at 45 or 55.
The speed limits are set by the nature of the road (width, divided or not, number of intersections and lights, presence of shoulder, etc.), and amount of traffic. Most interstates slow down to 55 in urban areas.
Route 44 is perfectly fine at 55, it's the idiot drivers that make accidents. But it does not make sense to change speed limits for a few accidents caused by idiots on a road otherwise appropriate for the existing speed limit. As Judge Judy says, "you can't fix stupid"

Do you really think that's how the world works?

Lowering the speed limit to 45 is the beginning of a slippery slope that will eventually lead to a 5 mph speed limit all over the country.

When I taught one of my teacher observations said Tom occasionally whistled in class. This should stop because the students will start whistling and when they get in the halls everyone will also start whistling. The whole building will be whistling and we can't have that.
That person uses your kind of logic.