Where are the police?
 

The Daily Sun has recently published a series of major articles about how unsafe Forida's roadways are. Over 800 pedestrian deaths were determined last year to be the result of dangerous drivers.
We have to travel periodically to Tampa, and have been doing this for over five years. Yesterday was only the second time we had seen a police car on the roadway. He was parked between the roadways, as cars sped by.
We've never seen one patrolling any of the roads surrounding The Villages or in the The Villages. They're certainly needed here.
Want to stop bad drivers? Get the police on the roadways doing their job.

Look at a local paper that does not focus on only sunshine and roses in the Villages and you will see many reports of police activity. They are already doing their jobs; bad drivers are the least of their problems.

How many additional officers would you like? At least 800 so they can be permanently assigned to the locations where the pedestrians were killed? 800 more to be assigned to the next set of roads? Triple that to 5,000 additional so they can be assigned to those locations on three shifts?

The police cannot be everywhere and we really, really do not want them to be. I don't know what the answer is to untrained, uncaring, or distracted drivers but an overabundance of police is not it.

I’m sure the police chief would like more officers to patrol….but no one wants to pay more taxes to support his efforts.

Neither is insufficient number of police. Have you heard that there are folks that want to defund (get rid of?) the police? Maybe escalating penalties for law breakers, like like a tracking device attached to your vehicle that records where you are what your speed is. Maybe different license levels required to buy/own/drive vehicles with different capabilities ( size, top speed, etc). I go to the doctor, grocery shopping, eat out once a week, occasionally go to Ocala. For me to buy a corvette, mustang, Porsche would be throwing money away, since I very seldom have the opportunity to drive over 55mph legally.

$ $ $

There are already different classes of licenses for motorcycles and for larger vehicles.

But rather than have a different license level for top speed, why not just legislate that ALL vehicles have a governor limiting the top speed to 75mph? If there are roads where the limit is higher they are few and far between. Most roads have limits less than 75mph already so we could even consider a lower number. Let's not wait until someone else is killed, let's reduce or eliminate the problem now!

Careful what you wish for. I would envision someday when electronic monitoring of driving maybe mandatory for vehicle insurance instead of more police for traffic. It’s already happening on a voluntary level. We monitor fleet drivers, speed, harsh braking, time over speed, etc.

The cheapest way to catch speeders, or maybe persuade people not to speed in the first place, is through the use of speed cameras

These can, of course, be vandalized and many lawyers seem to specialize in getting people off the hook for traffic offenses, then there are those who complain that the police just use them to raise funds...

Ah, so many problems; so few solutions

And what good would the extra $$$ do? Police would have to be everywhere to stop speeding careless drivers what ever.

Ever heard of golf carts exceeding 20 mph? Wonder how they do that? Governor is just begging to be tampered with. Other than that, I like the idea.

Self driving cars that the AI controls cannot exceed speed limits. AI will also pull to a controlled stop and lock the doors when instructed to do so by LE.
My insurance already monitors my driving. Apparently, I'm a good boy or girl. Are youuu? 🫠

The cheapest and easiest way, is to require electronic speed and acceleration controls in vehicles.

Mainline automobile manufactures produce cars with top end speeds that exceed 150 MPH (I have one). Why are manufacturers allowed to do it?

It's like the old story about having parking lots at bars. You're not supposed to drink and drive, but by law in most states, "bars" are required to have parking spaces.

Drones are just the tip of the iceberg, for things that are likely to happen in the near future. How long do you think it will be, before the technology to listen to everyone's cell phone conversations is available on Amazon, for $29.95?

Technology is far out-pacing our ability and will to regulate.

The country needs monitoring of purchases we make. One bottle of whiskey every 6 months to control alcoholism and drunk driving. To further prevent drunk driving, only one drink at a bar or even ban bars. Need to monitor the foods people purchase, no high fat or high calorie foods to control obesity and diabetes. There should be limits on how big of an automobile a person can buy. A Smart car for singles and couples. A Fiat 500 size car for a family of 4. No car larger than for a family of 4, 2 children are sufficient. No family should exceed 2 children, mandatory sterilization after the 2nd child. No car should be manufactured with an engine larger than 1 liter, gotta save the environment and reduce the need for fossil fuels. Totally prohibit the manufacture of large luxury cars. You don't need A/C, electric windows or door locks. Homes should be based on the number of inhabitants, 1 bed room for a single person and a couple. House doesn't need to be any larger than 800 square feet in this category. Private swimming pools banned, there are public pools you can use. Timers on showers, 3 minutes is sufficient to bathe, save water and electricity/gas to heat the water. Getting back to police, speed bumps on roadways to slow traffic. Stop lights every 2 miles on the toll roads and interstate highways to slow traffic. Need to re-take the driver's license every 2 years including a driving test. Every year for people over 50 years old. Need to provide justification for a driver's license. If you live near a bus stop, you don't need a car. Actually, we could just ban private ownership of automobiles. Only allow cars for taxi service. We don't need airplanes, railroads can transport people more efficiently. Electric service should be turned off at 10:00 pm, everyone should be off the streets and in bed at that time. Would really cut back on the amount of electricity needed. I could keep on going but I'm getting tired, 10:00 pm is approaching.

IMO over 70% are bad drivers in too big hurry and impatient. They are overwhelmed. Now let talk about druggies, drunks, and criminals.

I get you’re :jester: but



That’s what get in free country, have right to drink yourself to death, eat yourself to death, and drug yourself to death. :sigh:

Too many people to take drivers test every two years, besides it won’t do no good anyway. :icon_bored:

Yep, Copper on every corner.

:22yikes:

I would guess that most of us do not want to live in a police state. Just drive defensibly. You will be okay.

But speed is only one cause of accidents. What the OP was writing about is the pedestrians that get killed. The lady who was killed in LSL was at wrong time/wrong place accident.

What really is disturbing is all the people who drive past school buses when the STOP sign is out. That should be criminal.

You could put governors on all cars but that would do anything for that woman or children getting to school/home safely.

What we need to do is make it so that phones don’t work when the cars are moving.

Now that is a good idea about cell phones not working while driving. And technology might get to the point that a cell phone will be imbedded in the vehicle and you can have a conversation over a speaker and voice dial numbers.

Pedestrian deaths have been a bad problem on US 19 in Pinellas County here in Florida for decades. Not much that works has been done as you have a large number of retail stores and cars often going 75 mph or faster.

If one cared about pedestrians, then there should be sidewalks on every street in the villages.

Running a stopped school bus is illegal. Or am I remembering another state?

I believe the OP was talking about driving to Tampa.

Sidewalks are not needed on every street in the Villages. There *is* a sidewalk where the pedestrian was hit in LSL. What is needed is more alertness by both drivers and pedestrians.

I say we need another 10,000 or so officers to keep pedestrians from J walking, crossing against the light, using cell phone while walking, etc.

Good idea, stop the GPS map program from working when it is needed the most.
Let's also stop mobile phones from working while people walk...to prevent distractioned walkers.

I think a sizable percentage of the pedestrian deaths are homeless junkies walking along the highway in dark clothing at night. They are virtually invisible unless one is using high beam headlights. They don’t want to walk in the weeds to the side of the road.

No. There are not that many homeless junkies.

Not an easy job for police
 

Here are the major causes in Florida. Not easy for police to detect all of this. You can be a great driver but ONE distraction can be fatal etc.

By: RTRLAWJan 3, 2024
What Are the 6 Major Causes of Car Accidents in Florida?

Personal Injury
Florida’s roads are among the most hazardous in the United States, with the state ranking third in the nation for the most fatalities due to car accidents. The influx of out-of-state travelers and heavy freight transportation on already congested highways exacerbates the risk of accidents.

1. Speeding: A Major Hazard
Speeding contributes to a considerable number of road accidents each year in Florida. The tendency to drive over the speed limit or too fast for conditions often leads to severe crashes, underscoring the need for stricter speed regulation and driver awareness programs.

2. Distracted Driving: An Ongoing Challenge
Distracted driving remains a leading cause of crashes, with 333 fatalities in 2021 in Florida – the highest in the state for at least eight years. Texting while driving, which is six times more dangerous than driving intoxicated, continues to be a leading reason for many crashes in the state.

3. Driving Under the Influence: A Persistent Problem
In Florida, 30% of car accidents are caused by people driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. These incidents often result in severe injuries or fatalities, highlighting the need for rigorous enforcement of DUI laws and public education about the risks of impaired driving.

4. Motorcycle Safety: A Key Focus
The state’s pleasant weather and scenic routes make it a popular destination for motorcyclists. However, motorcycle accidents continue to be a major concern, often leading to serious injuries or fatalities, especially among riders not wearing helmets. Promoting helmet use and safe riding practices are essential for reducing these incidents.

5. Seatbelt Use: A Crucial Safety Measure
Seatbelt usage is a critical factor in preventing fatalities and serious injuries in car crashes. Florida law enforcement continuously stresses the importance of wearing seatbelts to enhance road safety and reduce the risk of death or injury in accidents.

6. Weather Conditions
Known for sudden thunderstorms and severe weather events like hurricanes, Florida’s shifting weather conditions can rapidly deteriorate road conditions, posing additional challenges to drivers.

Most people who are driving in the villages shouldn’t - let’s be honest about what aging does to a person‘s driving skills.

When ever I go out I see officers patrolling different areas around Orange Blossom and Spanish Springs.

I practice defensive walking when I am out on the street. There are plenty of drivers who don't see, hear, or think well. Maybe they should not be on the road, but try telling them that. If everyone elevated their sense of awareness, the problem would be reduced.

Police Presence
 

I wonder if local law enforcement is pressured by Developers not to ruin the friendly home town aura by issuing too many citations. If they patrolled Morse and Buena Vista more often their departments would bring in revenue to fund more officers and vehicles and it would keep us all safer from those who do 50 mph in roundabouts.

You are already electronically monitored, by the communication system in your car. That button you can press for emergency help gives the manufactrer a window into how much you drive, when, by what routes, and how and when you complete maintenance. They sell this data to insurance companies or anyone else who wants to pay.

I see plenty of police in and around the "BUBBLE". I see them almost daily traveling on Buena Vista, El Camino, Morse Blvd. . Are they patrolling or traveling through. I haven't asked them so I don't know. I occasionally see them running radar on Buena Vista, El Camino and, yes, even on Morse. So to say you never see them you must have very dark glasses on. They are around. It's rare that I see them in and around the village local streets unless responding to a residential call or maybe a motor vehicle collision but they are around.

Florida is way down the list for traffic fatalities. Car accidents are inevitable, and the more cars and drivers the more accidents will happen, and dome of them fatal. We all need to just worry about our own driving.

FYI, Defund never meant get rid of, it was a stupid choice of words to describe what they wanted, which was to reallocate some funds to hire mental health and social workers to relieve the police departments and free them to fight crime.

One person in this thread posted that Florida is third in the nation for traffic fatalities. I haven't fact checked it though.

Let me get this right. A newspaper which refuses to print a single article about traffic incidents in the Villages does a major expose of traffic problems in Florida. A bit hypocritical I'd say!

I don’t seem able to find data that shows Florida “is way down the list for traffic fatalities.” All the data I see shows Florida to be in the top 10-20% of all states for fatalities per 100,000 residents or per million miles driven.

Florida ranking in 2022 according to data on the IIHS/HLDI website (no idea who they are):

Total number of deaths: 3rd
Deaths per 100,000 population: 15th
Deaths per 100 million miles driven: 14th

Pretty solidly at the bottom of the top 30%

By all means, lets sign away our free will and sign up for a police state. Some people will actually embrace '1984' when it's fully implemented.

Wow, I can't believe how many responses invite government and regulation into your car's passenger seat. The government will know who you are, where you are and where you go every time you get in your vehicle.
Be careful of the unintended consequences of what you ask for.