Gate Guards knocked down
 

I read an article about all the gate guards being knocked down by cart and cars. It listed several distractions that might cause it, but one of the best things they could do is paint the stripes YELLOW instead of red. There is a reason highway stripes are painted yellow and not red. Yellow is the most visible color of all the colors, it is the first color that the human eye notices. Might not solve 100% of the problem but it should cause a dramatic reduction in accidents.

I had made a suggestion a few tears ago to have a yellow triangle hanging from the cross arm, to IMPROVE visibility. I was told the arms design was a state requirement and what I was requesting could not be done. I have observed several times that the gate arms can be hard to see, even when you know they are there.

If they can’t see gate cross the road that has reflective that lights up at night when headlights hits it, maybe it their driving skills? Or lack of due to too much Jack or reefers. And for very few that just need to slow down. Who knows there maybe another intentional gate crasher like the one that got caught few months go?

& the "I think I can make it" drivers.

The other evening we were driving down 441/27 past Water Oak and I noticed that their gate lights up (either red or green) as it goes up and down. So much easier to see!

kathy

Install sharp nails on the arms , the culprits can be located at the Body Shop

How that reefer.

I have noticed over many, many years, you just cannot "idiot proof" everything.

As most us ol' military retirees know, color red appears as black in low/no light conditions. Good suggestion to change, and why not add some shapes on the arms as well. The almost-immediate reduction in the $ spent on gate maintenance would probably more than cover the $ outlay to accomplish the change, as well as improve safety.

Not usually a problem in seeing the arms. Just a problem waiting for the arm to clear, or trying to beat the arm closing

I have noticed that the reflective material on many of the arms is degraded and is minimally visible at night. I agree with others, put LED lights on the gate arms; or just remove them. They are at best a false sense of security.

Gate Guards knocked down.

After reading the OP Title, I thought that as all the barriers were being destroyed, drivers were knocking down the gate attendants instead!

Very true. I almost took the gate out on Morse Blvd southbound just before 466. I know its there but......no excuse. Didnt see it and forgot and skidded to a stop in time. NOW I always remember even if its not visible. That one time scared the hell out of me

I’m moved here in July. For a retirement area, I have never seen as many folks impatient and in such a big hurry. You all need to slow down! Someone wrote they skidded to a stop...skidded! Shouldn’t be going fast enough to skid going through a gate! There is no need to “beat” the arm from closing either as they all have sensors and won’t close until your vehicle passes. SLOW DOWN PEOPLE! Frankly, I’m tired of being tailgated and witnessing many racing around at 20 mph faster than posted speed limits. People in our own village must all have somewhere to be that it is more important for them rather than respecting the safety of those around them. If local law enforcement would simply start smacking some with speeding fines, this would stop quickly. My middle finger has been getting some heavy use. rather than enjoying a car ride up Morse Blvd, it is usually quite stressful. I guess I’ll have to continue my friendly “wave”. It’s actually sad.

I think a speed bump or two would help.

I agree. The red stripes on the gates are often difficult to see.

As I drive in some neighborhoods, I find the gate blends with the surroundings especially when leaving. Something needs to be done but don't ask a Florida traffic engineer, we all see how well they know what they are doing.

Simple Solution to Crashing the Gates. How about paying attention to your DRIVING, GO SLOW when approaching the gates, GET OFF THE CELL PHONE when approaching the gate. If your Cell phone rings ignore it. I think they should raise the fine of crashing a gate to $500.00. Maybe that will get people to slow down and pay attention to their driving!!!!!

Totally agree! We just closed on our house in January and spent some time exploring and realized we were having trouble seeing the gate arms, even knowing they were there. My husband thought a triangle would be an improvement as well. Somehow they’re too skinny or not bright enough and just blend in to the background. And we weren’t trying to squeeze in as they were coming down!

Well as far as I know if you knock a gate down you pay for it. The cameras take your picture and they get in touch with you and I think it cost somewhere just under $200? The gate thing it’s nothing compared to what goes on in the roundabouts. Was on my bike yesterday and saw someone from the outside lane, which is an exit, lane run right into the side of a car that was on the inside and going straight. The arrows on the signs coming into the roundabouts clearly show how they are to be used. It’s not rocket science but you would think it was?

I just don't understand the Crashing of the Gates?? Some people suggested Yellow instead of Red?? Some people said the Gates are hard to see at night?? This is simple. There is a gate house and the entrance alone should be enough for you to remember there is a Gate there. The Gate goes up and then you proceed. How about SLOWING DOWN and stop being in a RUSH to get where your going. STOP BLAMING THE GATES, ITS THE DRIVERS.

Why are the gates even there? So phoney

The gates are there to slow auto traffic so golf carts can cross the intersection behind the gates. If the gates were not at those locations, there would be a significant number of golf carts being hit by autos since so many car and truck drivers would not slow down.

Entry gates should go
 

The entry gates should be replaced by speed bumps. The gates are expensive to maintain and totally unnecessary!!

Forget speed bumps. You need the law enforcement that has gone lax. No accountability anymore

I’d like to see some kind of flag hanging across the arm.

I agree, they may not slow the first time, believe me they will next time.:ho:

Not completely accurate.

The most visible color, especially at night is green. It’s a major reasons firearm lights are green. They use red also because the green wavelength requires more power than red.

Red is the most recognizable color, meaning the eye distinguishes it from background colors more easily. And red has been psychological taught to us to mean stop.

White reflects the most light, more than a mirror. This is a big reason safety equipment (signs, lights) are red & white. The reflective material used also increases red and white much more than yellow.

Yellow, although is a highly visible color was chosen for street lines because of its visibility but more so because of its already psychological idea to mean safety. Traffic signals existed before markings and motorist already associated yellow with caution. Yellow and white are also the most contrasting colors to black pavement, hence why its yellow over red.

So it’s not only the colors but what other colors that it needs to contrast with.

That’s right. In the time I have lived in The Villages I have seen two gates taken out. Both times, they got up on the bumper of the car in front of them and tried to make it through and did not make it. Why are these idiots in such a hurry. I mean they may have to wait a hole five seconds.

If you cannot see the gates.....how would you see the speed bumps? Gates prevent golf cart accidents, Think about lt!

If you don't see you will feel.

Redeisgn the gates
 

Maybe we should suggest putting a round-a-bout in place of the gates.......

Yup, that's the way I read it, too. People have to rethink their SUBJECT postings as to how others may interpret it.

Just asking - Is it his duty to change because he's reacting to the very poor and probably illegal behavior of another driver? Or should it be the duty of the poor and probably illegal behavior of the other driver to change? And is it legal for someone to drive illegally or aggressively and then shoot and kill someone because they stuck a finger up at them? Wow. Just Wow.

Changing the gate color or shape is sorta a solution in search of a problem. But the idea of installing nails on them does have some merit.

The gate on Morse by 466 is left up much of the time. You never can tell if it’s up for the day or if it’s going to come down on you. I wish they’d make up their minds.

I agree. The reflective material used on the gate arms is borderline useless. I know where the arms are and they are hard to see at night. Imagine a visitor. If someone keeps having the same problem over and over and never tries a different solution, they become part of the problem.

I think that some years ago the gate arms were yellow and "Welcome Home" was written on them. They were much more visible than the red and white ones, which sometimes blend into the surroundings, especially at dusk. Someone said that they were changed to comply with state regulations.

I agree with Joeyb. You don't see people knocking down the guard at a railroad crossing. Put some blinking red leds on the gates.

When I was in Siesta Key they had a light strip on the bar. It was really easy to see.