Cars have the rightaway don't stop!
 

Please tell your guest that they are not being polite when they stop and let golf carts cross the street. Let them know that when they stop to let carts cross they are messing up the traffic flow. Also the people behind them may not stop they hit them and knock them into the golf cart not a good thing.

The indecision takes longer by trying to figure out what people are going to do than a smooth traffic flow of people just doing what they are supposed to do.

Again please tell your guest as they drive in The Villages not to wave carts to cross in front of them. It may seem like the nice thing to do but it isn't.

Indy-Guy;

I run into this problem every day. I don't think it's just the guests trying to be polite. Many Villagers seem to not understand the rules. You're absolutely right about it creating a confusing and potentially serious problem. Sometimes it almost becomes a shouting match . . . "go ahead, no before me, no you go ahead, I insist, oh just get the hell out of my way". I'll bet some clever TOTVer could work up a fabulous comedy skit.

Actually its funny you bring this up !!! I just had Plexiglas installed in the floorboards of my car so that I can look down and see if I recognize who I just ran over........
Is this how reality shows got started ?????

I have HD fumar ....:evil6:

Agree--agree
 

people who appear to be "nice" are really just screwing up the flow of traffic and possibly going to get someone killed because those that know the rules...follow the rules, and those that don't will watch others and learn. Stop being so DAMN POLITE and yet being stupid.

Uhh.....who's on first?" ;)

When we first visited TV, I was approaching the cart street crossing just west of Morse and Lake Sumter Landing. A cart was coming at a right angle and I had absolutely no idea who had the right-of-way. Not wanting to kill a couple of people in my first 5 minutes in TV, I stopped. A few seconds of horns and one finger salutes clued me in that stopping wasn't the correct response and I moved on. That is how most of us learn about the protocol in TV I think. There needs to be better signage and a prominent warning in the materials given to visitors about driving in the unique environment of TV.

No, No, No, more signs or pamplets. Just follow the rules of the road you learned as a new driver. Why, oh why, whould you stop without a stop sign and motion a driver who has a stop sign to proceed???? Have you ever done that for another car? Common Sense!

You are right on, Bogie Shooter. That happens to me all the time. People stop when they don't have a stop sign and run them when they do... especially when they come out of a tunnel and there is a big "YIELD" sign there. They just run right thru. Maybe I shouldn't, but when some idiot waves me on like that, I just go. I figure it saves time in the long run, keeps traffic flowing better... and bottom line, why argue with an idiot!

Well, I don't. I make them move on I just sit there. Think about it, if they do that to a new cart driver the cart driver now thinks he has the right of way....and now thinks all drivers will be giving him the high sign to move on thru. And the car driver will continue to make the same dumb move the next day.

(...Angelic music playing in the background. Sun shining blindingly bright...)

WOW! I thought I was the only one! I agree, there are those who are being TOO polite. Yes, we should all try to help each other out. But I absolutely think that some folks are overly courteous. Stopping when you don't have a stop sign to let someone cross who does have a stop sign may make you feel like you are the ultimate samaritan, but to the guy behind you who is not expecting you to stop for no reason, you are the ultimate idiot.

This happens to me almost daily over near Southern Trace Plaza. For some reason, many of the golf cart drivers don't feel the need to slow down, let alone STOP. Inevitably, as I turn from 466 onto CR 101 I find my self slamming on the breaks becasue the guy in front of me has stopped to allow one (or two or TEN) golf cart cross Wedgewood before the car turns right into the Plaza.

TV puts out a pamphlet about golf cart safety and there are classes about it as well. They state that golf carts must yield to autos IN ALL CASES. And if you speak to law enforcement in the area (I have, cause I wanted to know) they will tell you the same. Besides, why would you risk your life, even if you ARE right? I have yet to see a magic forcefield stop an auto from causing serious damage to a golf cart just because the golf cart driver was right.

x

When we were looking at a villa that was for sale, the owner said that they had bought another villa behind Publix and Spanish Springs because she had low vision and she could walk to the stores from their new villa.

You can drive a golf cart anywhere in The Villages .... to get groceries, medical appoinments, entertainment, play golf. It is not necessary to drive a car. There is a shuttle service to the airport. And also taxi cabs. You cannot cross the really busy country roads (e.g., CR 466, CR 101). There are tunnels under the roads so that golf carts can cross safely.

There are many, many Villages that offer easy access to shopping and entertainment. For instance I live in Belvedere Village and shopping is five minutes away by golf cart .. you could also walk. Also five minutes to Walmart, Library, Medical and Dental offices, Eye Institute, Publix, Bells, five restaurants including Olive Garden and Bonefish Grill, etc.

It sounds as if your friends needs a lifestyle preview to truly understand The Villages lifestyle. We'd be happy to show them around.

Senior Citizen

Its hard to get closer to a Supermarket than living in the VIllages Caroline or Virginia Trace if you want to go to Sweetbay. I can literally walk to Sweetbay or the LSL Town Square from my house. Many of us in the neighborhood use Sweetbay as our local 7-11 simply because it is so convient to get to...and its golf cart accessible.

Novice golf cart drivers
 

I agree that common sense should rule but I remember when we had our life style visit and we rented a cart, we were given no instruction. Many people who have never driven a golf cart don't understand that there are rules just like driving a car. I think all renters should be given a one page "rules of the road sheet" that they have to sign. I remember encountering people driving in the middle of a tunnel not understanding "lanes." As golfers, we were used to a cart but it was obvious to us that alot of people were clueless. In fairness, the first time driving around TV in a golf cart is a little scary.

My vote goes to the gate and cartpath crossing at Bridgeport Lake Sumter as the worst example of this man made traffic hazard. The problem is compounded by line of sight lissues, extra heavy golf cart traffic and poor placement of the gate and card reader. The genius that designed that nightmare needs a refresher in basic traffic engineering.

I'm sure you have your favorite. Where else do we need to be especially careful?

If golf cart drivers stop and yield as the signs read.....this is not a hazard. I have seen numerous carts barely pause and pull right in front of cars.

Line of Sight
 

Cabo35 is right. If you approach this gate going towards LSL, you cannot always see a car (especially the small ones) because of the placement of the card reader. Perhaps one of those big mirrors would help.

The Villages Home Owners Association publishes a booklet "Golf Cart and Low Speed Vehicle Safety Guidelines In and Around The Villages" that was on the kitchen counter beside the phone in our CYV when we had our LSP the end of February.

We also were given a verbal review of do's and dont's by the person who checked us in.

They should have a five minute video presentation on cart driving and cautions before they turn you loose in a golf cart in TV.

I remembered everything I read on TOTV about driving a cart in TV, and so felt pretty confident from the start.


The first time you drive a cart around TV can be scary...but it is so much fun!

I would avoid the bridge on Morse, and driving from LSL to SS via Morse via Rio Grande via Del Mar was not something I enjoyed. I thnk I'd stick to the multi-use paths in the future.

Dirigo

x

I thought I would bring back this old thread just as a reminder.

Tonight, I saw some young people in a golf cart (not street legal) crossing Country Road 101. Obviously they didn't realize that it is against the law to cross a country road. And that it can only be done through a tunnel.

I have no idea what the solution is. But it sure is scary to see people sailing around, oblivious to the rules that protect us all.

Don't assume that everyone on the road is either a TV resident or guest. Could be someone just passing through. The best bet is to be aware of the rules of the road but expect the other driver, whether car or cart, to be clueless. Expect the unexpected.

Duh... 'passing through'?
like someone was on a cross-state golf cart trip?
maybe the cart fell from the sky liker Santa/
rules is rules.
We TV bicycle clubbers follow rules of motor vehicles when on roads and cart rules when on rec paths.
We can also become -pedestrians when we dismount and walk the bikes.

In FLA and most states we must follow motor vehicle rules.

Please remember to watch out for bicyclists - every one of them that is on a bike is allowing those in carts and vehicles more road to enjoy

L and L

They do sometimes pass thru. I can't remember the name of the subdivision behind Rolling acres Plaza, but it is not TV's.
Drive thru and you will see lots of golf carts and kids, plus some homes that are not very well kept.
They can drive a cart in without any problem, and do!
TO EVERYONE USING A CART OR AUTOMOBILE...................use the :swear:turn signals!!
If you are on a golf cart you should use the turn signal and a hand signal when making a turn. The lights are not as visable on a cart as they are on a car.
Too many times (even in the summer, but more now) I have seen carts get in to the roadway in front of cars and not use a signal before turning.
Not all the accidents involving carts are put in the newspaper, but there are at least a few every week.
I have rode and raced (ice,desert,hill) on a motorcycle since I was 15....45 years and I use the same attitude when I use a golf cart.........All the cars and trucks and other carts are out to get you! Make yourself visable, signal your intentions before you turn and remember that you will LOSE if involved in an accident.:police:

I don't ever recall seeing any group of bicycle riders stop at stop signs. Do you all stop at all stop signs?

Another reminder for all of us living here.... be extra careful on the roads the first few days of each month from now thru April. With all the seasonal residents, lifestyle guests, visitors, and renters, the beginning of each month brings a surge of "newbies" and others who haven't been here in at least a year. It takes them a few days to get their bearings.

I'm glad someone posted to this thread. Was just thinking of it as I watched a car stop in a roundabout yesterday. As '07 says - it is a good reminder for us all to be a bit sharper.

I'm in complete agreement with you, Talk Host, about people riding bicycles in The Villages. And that includes all the fancy dressed riders who follow each other in a long train as they circumvent TV. I, for one, have never seen a bicycle rider stop at a stop sign and I have lived here for over eight years.

I find that the bicycle groups easily take up an entire lane. Many times I have come in behind a large group of cyclist that were riding 3 and 4 wide down Buena Vista as well as the neighborhood streets. As a Bicyclist that follows the motor vehicle rules please move over to the right when vehicles approach from behind.

[QUOTE=Larryandlinda;236365]Duh... 'passing through'?
like someone was on a cross-state golf cart trip?
maybe the cart fell from the sky liker Santa/
rules is rules.
We TV bicycle clubbers follow rules of motor vehicles when on roads and cart rules when on rec paths.
We can also become -pedestrians when we dismount and walk the bikes.

In FLA and most states we must follow motor vehicle rules.

Please remember to watch out for bicyclists - every one of them that is on a bike is allowing those

Duuhh...This thread is entitled "Cars have the rightaway, don't stop!"
This implies to me that we're talking about cars. If that's the case, they can be driven by anyone from anywhere, even cross country. If that's the case, they could just be passing through.
It's doubtful that they fell from the sky.

Duhhh...This thread is entitled "Cars have the rightaway, don't stop!". This implies that we're talking about cars. If that's the case, they could be from almost anywhere, even cross country.
I doubt if they fell from the sky.

I am not a cyclist. I believe they have the right to the whole lane if they so choose. By Florida law you the passing vehicle have to move to the left lane to pass, so the cyclist does not have to move to the right. ( what ever that means)

As long as we're on the subject of bicycles
 

From the Florida statute pertaining to bicycles: (They can't use the whole lane unless they are moving at the "normal speed of traffic".


5)(a) Any person operating a bicycle upon a roadway at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall ride as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except under any of the following situations:

1. When overtaking and passing another bicycle or vehicle proceeding in the same direction.

2. When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.

3. When reasonably necessary to avoid any condition, including, but not limited to, a fixed or moving object, parked or moving vehicle, bicycle, pedestrian, animal, surface hazard, or substandard-width lane, that makes it unsafe to continue along the right-hand curb or edge. For the purposes of this subsection, a "substandard-width lane" is a lane that is too narrow for a bicycle and another vehicle to travel safely side by side within the lane.

(b) Any person operating a bicycle upon a one-way highway with two or more marked traffic lanes may ride as near the left-hand curb or edge of such roadway as practicable.

(6) Persons riding bicycles upon a roadway may not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of roadways set aside for the exclusive use of bicycles. Persons riding two abreast may not impede traffic when traveling at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing and shall ride within a single lane.

And back to the original subject
 

Best advice is to pay close attention year round when you driving - whether it is a car, golf cart, bike, truck, or roller blades.

This week -

Had someone lay on the horn as I slowed to allow a golf cart to merge.

Observed a large truck stopped dead in a traffic circle, appeared to be looking at the map for directions, was not only blocking the traffic circle but one of the entrance/exits from same.

Had a golf cart pull right out in front of me near a gate where they clearly had a stop sign. Luckily I was paying attention, had to slam on the brakes to keep from making him part of the gate.

Followed a construction vehicle with trailer - no brake lights or turn signals, have seen this more than once before.

Now, if everyone would obey all the rules and regulations we'd have to find something else to talk about.

I stand corrected.:lipsrsealed:

Since we are getting a bit side tracked on this post, let me put in my 2 cents worth.
I understand that bikes are allowed on the roads but single riders going in roundabouts makes no sense to me.
I am talking beach cruisers, single speed bikes etc. Why not use the trails that are right next to the road a lot of time?
There is no way I would pedal my big butt down the road with the traffic we have here, except in an organized group of riders.
AND.....the only time I see the bike riders stop is if it is a red light instead of a stop sign.
While delivering oxygen in TV I came up on a single rider on a roundabout going the wrong direction and almost nailed him!:censored:

What about
 

pedestrians? Yesterday, we encountered a jogger in the golf cart lane running right toward us...she didn't even look up as we pulled in the road to avoid a collision!:shocked: We have also seen people strolling (walking, not dancing!) in the golf cart lane when the sidewalks were on the other side of the street:shrug:

In the population of bicyclists, just like the population of golf cart drivers and motor vehicle drivers, there are those who flaunt the laws as well as common sense. We have threads on this site about golf cart riders going the wrong way and letting their pre-school grandkids drive the carts, and threads about car drivers violating all common sense rules in the circles. The bike clubs in TV stress safety to their members. Each ride starts with a comment and "heads up" on safety on the road. Each monthly club meeting includes a presentation on safety and road rules. Bikers have every right to ride on the road as long as they abide by the vehicular laws as stated previously. I ride with the clubs and ride alone and am one of those "fancied dressed riders". I try to observe all safety rules and get really mad when I see riders violate the rules because I know that it upsets vehicle operators. Please don't punish me for those idiots. TV is a wonderful environment for all forms of exercise including bicycling.

What is it about people walking or jogging in the golf cart path when there is a sidewalk right there. Very Dangerous!