Golf Cart/Person Accident 2/24/2011
 

Does anyone know some of the details of the golf cart accident involving a pedestrian last night (2/24) at Lake Sumter Landing? I think it happened about 6:30 or so. Was it a speeding golf cart, alcohol involved on either part, or just plain bad luck?

How serious was the person hurt?

2 many carts on the paths we have to be aware of everything around us.....and to many young children driving while visiting.....

Josie gave no answer
 

I asked if anyone knew of the accident between a pedestrian and a golf cart and just got someone saying there are "2 many carts on the paths and we have to be aware of everything around us and "to (sic) many young children driving while visiting."

This did not answer anything.

There are simply too many booze hounds driving golf carts at the squares between 4.30 and 6.30 PM. Happy hour at home, Happy hour to go, happy hour at the squares. Then the call go home. Just a matter of time! Somebody will get hurt!

No news
 

Haven't heard anything, probably won't read anything either. Very rarely does news like that get put in TV paper. I think it's funny nobody knows anything but right away people assume it was a driver how'd been drinking. That's what starts problems. Maybe someone tripped or fell. Maybe someone got sick.Maybe someone had a heart attack.

We were there last night and walked over right after it happened. A woman stepped off the curb in front of a golf cart and according to several witnesses the golf cart driver didn't have a chance of avoiding her. She was face down on the street but was responsive and the word was it was a broken hip or leg. The square was mobbed last night and while we were there saw several passengers hop out of their golf carts to stand in line for reservations or drinks and never looked before they leaped. Saw several close calls. Proceed with caution everybody!

Oh, and alcohol was NOT a factor.

Thanks
 

Thanks for the info. So see what happens when we assume. Look before we leap. Think before we type.

Or maybe the pedestrian had been drinking.

I've observed many times pedestrians just walking without looking for traffic. Have thought during those times that "one of these days" someone is going to be clipped a good one! I know they have the right of way however they too need to be prudent!!! That's too bad about that lady....I wish her a speedy recovery!!

Accidents do happen. Drinking aside, there are plenty of people who drive their cars and don't follow the rules of the road...so why would we assume that golf carts are any safer as these same people are drving the carts? I said it before and I will say it again...far too many speeders driving around in golf carts same as they do in there autos. Always have to pass someone and always in a rush to get somewhere :sad:

Thanks for the good info, Rayan. Yep, I have seen lots of pedestrians just step off the curb into traffic like that. Hope she has a full and speedy recovery.

Skip, usually the Daily Sun does put in all the traffic accidents involving pedestrians just to keep the public informed to be careful. In fact, there was one in the Daily Sun today (Saturday) of a man who was airlifted to the hospital when he either fell or was thrown from his cart.

Hope everyone has full insurance coverage on their golf carts. Having to pay for someone's medical expenses could be very expensive.

We drove past just before the ambulance arrived, Plenty of people there to assist. It was on DelMar and an article is in the paper this morning. Single cart accident.

Why do you assume it was not the pedestrian's fault? Too many times I have had to stop short because the pedestrian just stepped out into traffic without looking left or right.

The other day I was going down Buena Vista in my car and was approaching Belleaire and was watching a guy getting ready to cross to Harmeswood. He looked neither left or right and stepped off of the curb into traffic. If I had not been watching he would have been toast.

And forget the shopping centers. Many people walking to and from the stores do not look either left or right when crossing to and from the stores. It is driver beware.

Drivers aware for sure!
 

We also came upon the accident in Sumter Landing shortly after it happened. For a time, there were 6 sheriff cars and 2 state trooper cars at the scene.
After all the excitement was over (2 hours), the troopers let the cart driver leave. There was a loud round of applause from the diners outside at Red Sauce.
My wife and I were then more aware of pedestrians crossing the street. The majority didn't look while using the crosswalks. Many while crossing mid-block, didn't look either. Gas carts sometimes make enough noise to remind us to look but electric carts can sneak up on you. I guess with the popularity of hybrid vehicles, pedestrians should remember what your parents taught you. "LOOK BOTH WAYS BEFORE CROSSING THE STREET!!"

Shopping Center-autos need to slow down and STOP at the crosswalks

Just today on Canal Street - four people stepped out right in front of me - instead of walking to the crosswalk about 6 feet away...

golg cart
 

Let me get this straight. 6 sheriffs cars and 2 state troopers cars,there two hours. I rest my case.

..

dgammon.....different accident......everyone be careful!

I totally agree that cars and carts need to proceed slowly in shopping center parking lots. However, there is plenty of blame to go around. As Caveman pointed out in an earlier post, people just trot out of the stores and across the lane WITHOUT LOOKING ONE WAY OR THE OTHER.

Why do they do that? Vehicles can't stop at every storefront in a strip mall. I would think that the mere knowledge that cars and carts are prone to driving too fast in parking lots, would make people stop and look. There has to be some consideration on the part of the pedestrians too.


The frustrating thing is that talking about it won't change anything. People are going to do it and do it and do it. I'm thinking that with age comes the feeling of entitlement. "I'm entitled to walk out here like this and it's the responsibility of others to look out for ME."

jlk

What case? I didn't see a post from you earlier about this. Was it deleted?

Caveman:

I did not assume nor imply the pedestrian was innocent in the encounter. I was merely pointing out my observations of the behavior of cart drivers and auto drivers. IHowever, I do agree with all the other comments about pedestrians stepping into traffic without looking. As to who was at fault in this particular situation I cannot say because I wasn't there nor am I qualified to do so without having all the facts.

I always follow Andy Roony's advise..."Look both ways, even when crossing a one way street".

How unfortunate for the woman that suffered by being hit with the golf cart and the driver as I am sure they were not thrilled at having this accident happen to them.

Most accidents are caused by a lapse in judgement.

Be careful out there.

I wish her a speedy recovery.

russ boston
 

Maybe you did not get it. Maybe a little overkill.8 police cars for accident.Did not have earlier post.Above posts said all.

You don't care for police officers?

There isn't much crime in TV for them to solve.

I didn't hear the closing arguments either and I don't get the point on why having all of those police cars there for two hours is overkill.... well, I get that it is overkill, because they weren't really NEEDED. They could be parked outside of Publix eating donuts........They have to be SOMEWHERE.

Gracie, you took the words out of my mouth. I for one want a quick response and the more the merrier. I have friends who live in densely populated areas and they would be thrilled to see even one car arrive in minutes; unfortunately they (the police) are too busy dodging bullets. We're living in paradise, be happy.

police cars
 

Please everyone relax, take a deep breath. Point maybe 8 cars is a lot. Maybe wrong. two hours just seems a little long. No mention of fire rescue.People cheered from outside bar as they where leaving. I was not there and many of you also where not there also. No where did I mention I did not like police. Ease up. Enjoy yourself.

How about a minor accident such as two carts sideswiping on one of the cart paths? Most of us have insurance I think, so who do you call? Usually the police to get a police report to give to your insurance company. Would the police respond to an accident off public highways? What would the insurance co. require to settle claims?

Hey, we had three police cars here the other day for a broken car window on the street, so eight for a cart running over someone seems proportional.

What Talk Host posted struck a bell with me. In MA there is a very strict law regarding people in or about to be in a crosswalk. In fact in years past I have seen "stings" where plains clothes police officers will approach a crosswalk and if the cars did not stop they were pulled over and warned or ticketed. Do not get me wrong, this is a good law and I suspect saves many lives.

What it has created though is a set of people that no longer even look before entering the crosswalk. Since they have the "right" to cross if in a crosswalk, they do so without even looking. Even with the MA law, there is no way I step off a curb without making sure drivers are paying attention.

I was thinking basicly the same thing. I must say though that I've use my mobility scooter at both SS & LSL and have been surprised and pleased at how many drivers of both autos and golf cars have been courtious enough to stop and wave me to cross when they could have just as easily continued on without doing so. Either way, I would rather exercise personal responsibility by looking and waiting when necessary than be struck by an inattentive or inconsiderate driver.
http://www.corvettedreamcar.com/imag...driving-C1.gif http://portconmaine.com/forum/Smiley...ch_scooter.gif

Yes the law is strict here. BUT I hate when I see people on the sidewalk at a crosswalk, I stop, wave them on and then they tell us to go since they aren't crossing! So it works both ways!

I have found that trying to understand the intentions of someone in or near a cross walk can not only be difficult, but dangerous. I've also stopped to waive someone to cross only to see them motioned for me to go, so I have become more careful while driving around TV.

When all is said and done, most of us don't have any sense of urgency while enjoying our time in TV.

the woman stepped out in front of the cart. the driver went about 30 ft and then backed up.
two waiters from Red Sauce vaulted the rail to come to her aid. great young men.
Ambulance arrived last, seemed to take forever.
Unconfirmed rumors from the hospital is that she did not survive.

you mean she died

Any way of finding out if this is true???

I hope it's not true, or course. I would think that this kind of thing would be in the Daily Sun.

This thread reminds me of what my parents taught me.
It is never good to be dead right.

Avoid Canal Street
 

There are a few streets that we try to avoid when driving our car and one is Canal Street. We use Buena Vista and Morse whenever possible to avoid
the carts on Canal because there have been a few accidents involving both.

It is so much less stressful and quicker not to be watching out for golf cars.

Let's all slow down a little and remember, also, that the cars in the circle have
the right of way!!!!!! You would never know it.

I think speed has very little to do with accidents around the squares. The problem is inattention. That includes cars, carts and pedestrians. People are watching everything except the road ahead of them. Pedestrians wander around like they're at a mall. It can be very dangerous around the squares mostly because people allow themselves to be distracted.
People meander around slowly enough but they have their heads up their you know whats.