The meaning of merge
 

Signage needs to be looked at for all areas of the Villages pertaining to "CARTS MERGE WITH VEHICULAR TRAFFIC" signs posted at all areas where the golf cart lane merges with public roads. These signs need to be painted a bright yellow to stand out. I'm guessing 90% of these people either do not see them or ignore the signs and think sticking out their left arm and not slowing down gives them the right of way. Im traveling at 30 or 35 they are going 15 to 20 mph. Everyday im getting yelled at or cussed out because these people think im suppose to merge with the carts? I've seen grand kids out for a ride with grand ma or grand pa just ignoring these signs risking the lives of these kids, are they just stupid. There should be more effort on The Villages part like maybe a Headline in the news paper monthly in big bold print warning cart drivers the meaning of MERGE WITH VEHICULAR TRAFFIC MEANS. And paint those signs a bright yellow. Thanks for listening

defensive driving is always best

If you're approaching a Stop Sign or Traffic Signal at 35 MPH where these signs are located then you're going too fast.Cart drivers are told to use hand and and turn signals,and most do.Why not let them merge.,or maybe you don't know the meaning of Merge.

There are two sides to this. Yes, there are cart drivers who think a turn signal or hand thrust out are sufficient, but there are also auto drivers that will race to overtake a cart in front of them thereby forcing the cart to brake at the merge.

When I have a cart in front and I know we are approaching a merge, I slow down to allow the cart to merge safely. It takes almost no time and we both go on our way safely.

I always wonder about the cart drivers who curse at the auto drivers in this situation whether they give the same courtesy to carts when they’re in the car.

And don’t forget, golf carts are considered motor vehicles.

I think it is an American thing. Don't let another vehicle get in front
See it all the time, not just carts and cars, but carts to carts, and cars to cars.
How many times have you done it, or seen it happen?

Wow...this post is stunning. Is it that hard to recognize that you know your coming upon a merge, you acknowledged the cart has signaled, you have way more visibility than a golf cart, you have a vehicle that is significantly more powerful and simply slow down to let them in? Where the heck are you going that is so important? Sounds like you make it a point to cut people off if you're getting yelled at regularly. I've been here 10+ years and have yet to have an issue as driver of a car or a golf cart. Slow down and let them merge.

It's not an American thing! In Asia, the merge rule is biggest goes first. If you do not learn this merge rule quickly you will die.

My road my right of way, merge are you kidding?

Next thing ya know they'll be saving seats at the Squares and pushing dogs in baby carriages

If the cart is ahead of you at the merge point then you should give way. The speed differential at that point shouldn't matter. Most people slow a bit as they approach intersections where carts and cars merge. You might give it a try.

I may be wrong but I believe that if you are doing 30 to 35 at any place where golf carts merge with automobile traffic, you are speeding.

The roads belong to and are maintained by the county. SLOW DOWN!

I agree with this guy.

:ho: And I agree with both of these guys..... :BigApplause:

Nope, not your right of way. Nope, not kidding. Nope, not your road.

At the risk of being accused of taking a feminist position, I offer the following. I think the aggressive behavior is more of a TESTOSTERONE thing! Seriously. I base my speculation upon years of observing many incidences of aggressive driving traits.

OUCH, I resemble that comment.

:a040:

Perhaps you do. On the other hand, I have both a male cousin who displays symptoms and behaviors of estrogen overload and a female ex-coworker who sometimes scared me by her seemingly testosterone-fueled outbursts!

So my comment is not sexist it's hormonal. ;)

By the time most men make it to The Villages Testosterone is no longer an issue.. lol

What happen to the idea that the cart driver should start looking in their mirrors well in advance of the merge point, rather than putting on turn signal and make arm extension at the last possible second? The signs on the freeway and surface roads start well in advance of the merge point and those that drive to right to the end may end up coming to a stop. Cart or Car....DO NOT wait until the last second to merge! Planning is much more prudent.

LOL and Touche (accent over the e)

But maybe, just maybe the dwindling testosterone reserve that is no longer available to certain parts of the anatomy MERGES with adrenalin and is exhibited only during those auto-outbursts? Again, just speculating.

Speed limits
 

Speed limit for cars on county roads where golf carts merge with cars is 30mph. Examples of these are Hillsborough Trail, Pinellas Place and Odell Circle.

The posted speed limit on all roads where cars and carts share the road is no more than 30 mph. At the merge point, the speed limit for cars and carts is posted at 20 mph. YOU ARE SPEEDING IF YOU'RE GOING 30 OR 35 MPH. Respect the law and people won't yell at you. What's the rush?

Cars and carts are to merge together at a safe speed. A merge location is different than a yield location. The signs say MERGE, not YIELD. Autos should slow down to the posted 20 mph and be prepared to merge with the carts. Cart drivers must check their rear view mirrors and make sure they are not pulling right in front of an automobile when they merge. While I always check my mirrors to make sure the way is clear before I pull into the merged lane, I have had cars speed up to cut me off and make me stop. Whether in my auto or in my cart, I approach the merge locations preparing to share the road at that site in a safe manner. Automobiles do not automatically have the right of way over carts at these locations. Both must use good common sense since we have to share the road.

Very reasonable (and responsible)

You are absolutely correct in the underlined above and in a perfect world....everyone would realize such.


HOWEVER........


In almost all cases, the automobile will win in a conflict (even if they're in the wrong)...so is it really worth pushing the issue? :shrug:

Last I checked, we are not in Asia

Just be courteous, everyone, including bicyclists etc have to share the roads here

I see that you joined in 2015 but this is only your 2nd post. It makes me wonder if you are new to driving here. We are a golf cart community. If I see a cart ahead of me and that cart signals an intent to merge I would expect to allow the cart to merge. Why is this so problematic?

I usually try to merge about 50yds (just about a short lob wedge) from the point where the cart lane ends so I don’t get boxed in at the end of the lane.

Yeah, but most men here think they are still full of p*ss and vinegar.

My wife says I am full of sh*t as well! :ohdear:

And I'm sure NO Villagers are spending good money on "manly" supplements. LOL

The bottom line is, the car has the right-of-way. You don't stop the interstate for merging traffic. Same rule applies here.

Wow............one of those people who think they own their lane, their highway, their rights.

I don't think +60 mph & 25/30 mph traffic is the same. On the interstate, there are two lanes to move over and who stops on the highway or in TV.............just slow down, drive defensively and be considerate to your neighbor.

Never know what the other driver is struggling with in life.

I agree with the OP. If I'm on Smith Road, and golf cart is on Golf Path, then I have the right of way, period. I shouldn't be slowing down on my own road to let some slower person merge in. It is his responsibility to wait for me to pass.

This is true with all entry ramps on roads. If you're driving on a major highway around a turn (meaning, you're starting to slow down a little but still going 50-60 MPH), and there's an entrance ramp on your right, the people on the entrance ramp must YIELD to you. And you need to expect them to MERGE into your lange. If that means the yielder has to stop and wait for you to pass, then that's what it means.

If a vehicle that *cannot* go fast immediately is trying to enter the road, the slower vehicle MUST yield to the faster moving vehicles already on that road.

If he doesn't, he risks creating a traffic jam behind the guy he's trying to get in front of, or a crash because everyone behind him might not realize that the guy in front is slowing down abruptly to let some slowpoke in.

Being nice to golf cart drivers is doing actual car drivers no service at all, and increases the risk of danger. People need to learn to take their turn, and stick with it.

WoW....lots of merging minds on this subject! :popcorn:

We’re not talking Interstate traffic. Speed limit on Villages roads with a path on the side is 30. Carts are generally doing about 20. Not a big difference. Carts have to merge approaching gates where all traffic should be slowing anyway or when a left turn lane is created. Either way, it is for a short distance. Most cart drivers will check traffic as they approach the merge and not cut off autos. It would be considerate if those that insist on their “right of way” would anticipate the merge as well and allow the cart to safely merge.

LMAO I feel your pain also

Some are using signals, some are not.


:MOJE_whot: