Reckless Drivers Run Amok!
 

In the last week, I've had 2 close calls, nearly being run down by vehicles running stop signs and traffic lights...slow down people...just slow down and pay attention!

1st incident - riding my bike on Bichara Blvd. (most dangerous place to ride a bike in Villages IMHO, I won't ever do it again). Travelling south at a slow speed, I was approaching La Plaza Parkway intersection - when a vehicle pulled up to stop sign after exiting 441, driver "paused-slowed" at stop sign momentarily then darted out right in front of me. I needed to jam on both brakes and come to sudden stop to avoid crashing with car. I yelled out a few choice words, observed the lady-passenger in the car saying something to male driver as they continued on their way. I know the driver saw me as he slowed at the stop sign, bur apparently he decided he could speed through the intersection before me.

2nd incident - at of Lakeshore Drive and Lake Sumter Landing, we were just leaving Subway at LSL in our golf car heading east, about to enter intersection (traffic light had been green for about 5 seconds), when a car flew through the red light from Lakeshore Dr., nearly hitting a golf car that was turning left towards Sweetbay. Fortunately, we had slowed to allow this golf car to turn left in front of us...or we would likely have been hit broadside by the speeding car that ran the red light. The windows were down as the car sped through, so I yelled out "RED LIGHT"...hopefully this driver will be more attentive following this near tragedy.

The lesson of course is to always drive or bike the roads wherever you are "defensively"...you never know what the other guy/gal is going to do.

Safe travels folks and slow down!

Poor judgement in TV is rampant
 

This could be a permanent thread! Earlier this week I saw a Lexus RX350 speed through the Mallory Gate right behind another car to avoid waiting for the gate to close and reopen. How much of a hurry can you be in to risk damage to your car and maybe to a golf cart who anticipated the gate closing before proceeding? We've all made questionable decisions at some point in our lives but poor judgement here may be out of control.

No kidding. We almost got creamed on a round a bout. A guy making a left turn from the right lane. And he layed on the horn at us. Another one just drove into the round a bout without looking

Me First Attitude
 

I am really disgusted with the way some folks drive in and around TV. Seems worse since we moved here back in Feb than when we were here in Aug. for a lifestyle preview. Just today I was going to UPS on 468 and some a-- decided that he was going to go around me (even though I was going the speed limit) while we were approaching a red light not more than 600 ft ahead. Oh, I was getting ready to get in the left lane to turn. Lucky for all the light turned green and he sailed on through. And, what is up with those who speed through the parking lot at the Lady Lake Post Office. I am always getting either honked at or having to slam on the brakes as I am backing out of a space. I swear I look more than once to ensure no one is coming, check all the mirrors (no I don't have any blind spots) and BAM there they are! Hit me from behind and see if your insurance will buy me a new SUV. It is not like they can't see me. They just don't want to wait for 2 seconds. I come from the major metro area of Washington DC and am well versed in high traffic volume, speed and road rage. DC seems tame compared to here or maybe I was just used to it. Oh well, thanks for letting me vent.

This is scary
 

Have been driving for 50 years with only 2 fender benders and less than a handful of tickets. However, I have never seen the level of bad driving practices that I have experienced here since arriving in 2011. This extends to bikes , carts, autos and various construction vehicles. What is going on and how can we make it better before many more people are mamed and or killed?

welcome to TV...FL friendliest hometown....unless they are behind the wheel!!!!

btk

Yeah, I hear ya...about now I'm craving that unbearable summertime heat and ghost town feel of TV! :mad:

If you hit, you better kill me, because if you don't I am going to own all that you have and then some. You can keep your SO, has he/she would have be to feed and that would eat into the enjoyment of me spending your money.

I think that's what the guy who ran over the biker was thinking when he backed up to hit him again.

Posted this on another thread or similar words as such....but had an aha moment today. We get folks down here from all over the country--world really. SOME live in large cities where folks seem to drive as if on the autobahn (have you been to Chicago??). They bring these habits down here with them. Put with that unfamiliarity of the area, having certain afflictions, being on medications and just not paying attention into the mix! Should be a HUGE front page article on this in The Sun...but doubt that will happen.

We ALL have stories from when we've been out and about! The other evening, returning from supper in SS and going on the multi-model along Morse, before you get to the Malory golf-course (it was dark!!!!) we met a biker WITHOUT a light or reflective ANYTHING (dark clothing even). Heard from someone who preceeded us that they were passing a golf-cart and as they pulled into their lane they encountered the biker---had it been a couple of seconds difference there would have been another bike/cart accident and head-on! GAH!!!!!!

Thoughtless, or plain stupid golf cart driver
 

As many of the users of TOTV know, I am sight impaired, and thus drive my golf cart VERY carefully, probably just like the proverbial "little ol lady". Driving back from golf at Belmont yesterday, I was enjoying an almost deserted ride on the cart path, north to south approaching the Lake Miona tunnel. There is a golf cart path intersection there,at the top of the tunnel incline, one I always approach with considerable caution. Good job. As I approached the intersection with ME having the ROW, and with NO traffic either in front or behind me, a woman driver spun her cart from the intersection, ignored the STOP sign, and drove in front of me with only feet to spare, then came to an almost stop as she drove down into the tunnel. She had a large golden retriever in the passenger seat. As I hit my brakes, the woman looked up in her mirror (ah-mazing) and we made eye contact. My wind shield was down, and I yelled "REALLY?, YOU COULD NOT WAIT 10 SECONDS?".... She was obviously in her own world, but somethng clicked (other than me fuming behind her cart) because she took a sudden right turn - no signal, into Lake Miona's parking lot.... As we say in Yoga "breathe in all that is wholesome and good"......... aaagghhhhhhh

Un.be.liev.able!!!

Your post reminded me of yet another cart sighting today. We'd just gone over the bridge that goes over 441 when we met a cart. In the driver's seat (I'm not kidding) was sitting a large dog with his master sitting in the passenger side holding the steering wheel (and I suspect had his foot on the pedal). BIG SIGH!!! Where do these people come from?? He probably thought he was being funny and cute...but we didn't laugh!!!

Just Nuts I tell ya
 

A few weeks back we were coming back fromm SS side. We were approaching the famos LS bridge. We know the sign says 10 mph which rarely happens when a guy infront of us passes the cart in front of him on the bridge GC path. Are you kidding me. People are asking to have the walkway removed because the bridge is to narrow and this jerk passes on the bridge. What the heck is the hurry!! PS None of the carts were doing 10 mph.

I'll be the first to admit that when I am crossing that bridge, if nothing is coming, I run WFO so I can get across before I do have to meet a cart. If there is someone on the bridge, I do slow down to 10 MPH. (or what I feel like is 10 MPH as I don't have a speedometer)

poor driving everywhere
 

I'm reading our morning paper and there's an article in it that headlines "Civility lost when it comes to driving." They are talking much about what's going on in TV. People pulling out in front of one another, people flipping others off if they aren't going fast enough, tail gating, not stopping for crosswalks. It's everywhere. It is a law that people in Florida have to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks??

I think in a lot of places stress plays a big factor in the poor, unruly drivers. They are taking their anger out on the road. Shouldn't be a factor in TV because I don't think people are typically angry. We'll have to come up with another excuse for them.

I tried something the other day and decided to stick with it. Instead of complaining about people passing me all of the time and, instead of me trying to conform to their bad driving habits, I decided to drop my speed to 5mph BELOW the posted speed limit and keep it there with cruise control. It was calming to watch the nuts speeding all over the place. I will do this from now on and I encourage all people who feel the same way to join me. If we get enough people to participate we can slow this place down a bit. Maybe we can get the nuts into a "if you can't beat them, join then them" thing. Try it and see for yourself. It makes me feel better!

all thats going to get you is 'road rage'

mad mad mad mad race to get around
 

...

My brother who recently moved here from Arizona refers to the roundabouts as being a "Circle of Death". Yeah, I warned him about driving around here. I must say I have observed some recklessness around here but some of the drivers I have noticed don't "Appear" to be villagers as evidenced by their appearance (age).
Just my .02 worth:mad:

When we drive with our golf cart or our car is is really an endeavor based on 'trust.' When driving, we 'trust' that others in our community will follow the rules, not drive over lines, not tailgate, not speed, use signals, and not conduct themselves in any way that puts other Villagers in danger. In the past this was generally the case. In The Villages (and probably everywhere) these rules of civility have broken down. People constantly cut off other drivers, speed beyond belief, disregard roundabout rules ... and roundabout civility .. and break every rule of the road. Have you noticed how this has even broken down in parking lots like Publix? People just back out of spaces without looking, cut in front to get to a space, park their golf carts in front of the store(s), and speed through the lots with total disregard for the safety of other neighbors and community members. I don't ever remember a letter, editorial, or an article in The Sun that might have at least started a dialogue and awareness of this issue. It would seem to be a function of the Sun to create some awareness for these concerns. It seems to be time for our community paper to address this issue.

More police
 

Maybe if they step up police patrol it would make a difference.....until the police stop patrolling then everyone goes back to their bad habits.

For what? Driving 5mph below the speed limit? I say too bad for the road rage idiots. At least I won't be one of them. Do you have another suggestion?

do the speed limit.

What makes the roundabouts in TV so dangerous is the extreme levels of driver's experience. Experienced drivers who have been here awhile are familiar and maybe over confidant. renters and newcomers to TV usually have no experience, and residents from the UK have to overcome driving on the left. Add into the mix seniors some of whom are a little slower to react and contractors who tend to be reckless--and you've got a perfect storm. Of course this same mix of drivers is always on the streets but the roundabouts pose a unique hazard for drivers.

Fire chief Tucker has written numerous articles in the SUN pertaining to safety.

Exactly
 

Contrary to popular belief, it is not the older population that is the problem the majority of the time.

Why? Is that the law? If 5mph below the speed limit bothers you then maybe you're part of the problem!

forum rage ?

That has not been my experience. While I have seen problems with contractors and younger folks on TV's roads, in my personal experience I have seen more incidents with seniors than I have with younger folks (which makes sense, as there are proportionally more seniors on roads in TV). Very recently I had an older woman lay on the horn behind me on El Camino Real because I was in an LSV (doing 26 mph) in the right lane and she couldn't be troubled to go around me in the left lane. Even more recently I had an older woman go forward through two parking spaces at Barnes and Noble (instead of backing out like she was supposed to) without looking and almost cutting me off, almost causing an accident. No big deal, people make mistakes and she should've just been more careful--BUT then she had the nerve to flip me off. It is a good thing I was in an LSV because I tried to catch up with her and discuss it, but she fled. Even this morning me wife was coming home from a long shift at the hospital and some jerk (who she describes as "older") stuck his head out the passenger side window of a vehicle (he was the passenger) and yelled at my wife to drive on the path (even though her LSV is street legal AND permitted on El Camino Real).

There are street signs all over TV saying "Share the Road," but maybe it is difficult for some folks to read.

Please understand I am not saying older drivers aren't competent drivers, only that i've seen more rudeness from older drivers than I have from younger folks. It surprises me. I just hope things improve a little in the next month or so when there are fewer people on our roads.

i dont think its a good thing to be chasing women drivers down just because she gave you the finger. that sounds like trouble in the making. sounds like a thing a bully would do.

Sorry if you would consider this bullying. Wanting to politely discuss someone's bad behavior is NOT bullying.

Here is a definition of bullying:

bul·ly

noun
1.
a blustering, quarrelsome, overbearing person who habitually badgers and intimidates people.

Anyone who knows me knows that I am not quarrelsome, blustering, or overbearing. I don't think this qualifies as "habitually" badgering someone.

In any event:

1. I would have just as certainly chased a man if he had been the one to flick me off. Bad behavior is bad behavior, regardless of gender.

2. This woman almost caused an accident and then had had the nerve to flick me off for her incompetence. Don't you see anything wrong with that?

3. If we continue to condone bad behavior in TV, bad behavior will continue.

4. I just wanted to discuss the issue with her, as where I come from real women don't flick men off, especially when the woman is in the wrong. I just wanted to understand WHY she would behave so inappropriately.

It would seem to me that it is time to stop making excuses for bad behavior (saving seats in the square, rude driving behavior, etc.) and start standing up to those who obviously were not raised properly.

LOL, if that's what you want to believe:1rotfl:

there is NO excuse to ever chase anyone. thats why we have law enforcement. im sure you would not want anyone chasing down your wife or loved one for anything this trivial!!!

We will have to agree to disagree.

Law enforcement does not need to be around for everything. The police really have no jurisdiction in private parking lots anyway. What we need is for people to be able to politely discuss perceived bad behavior, not to condone (ignore) it.

My wife and loved ones would NEVER flick someone off if they were at fault and almost caused an accident.

You might consider it trivial, but I am really getting tired of the bad behavior I see in TV. I just got back from Publix. The check out lines have an express lane for 10 items or less. I had a diet coke and a bag of celery. The woman in front of me had over 25 items (I stopped counting after 25). The cashier didn't say anything. If no one says anything the bad behavior goes unchecked and continues.

I truly believe that by continuing to ignore bad behavior there is no reason for the offending party to change. I am not saying a physical confrontation is necessary, but when we start letting people step all over us we are allowing civility in our society to slowly erode.

my only comment is dont be chasing people!!!

Yes, smoke alarms etc. but they have never allowed him to indicate that we have a serious and growing problem with driving accidents, habits/issues here in the TV. For all of us, it is a problem that should be aired (aside from on TOTV) and needs to be addressed and the TV media would seem to be a logical starting point.

Probably not the "growing" problem of accidents etc....but he has written about safely driving carts, also the roundabouts etc. I venture to say that I've wondered exactly how many folks have read his column.

And my only comment is for you to deal with rude behavior in your way (I would never presume to tell you how to deal with rude people) and allow me to deal with rude behavior in my own way.

Now that's got to be one of the dumbest driving stories since Redwitch posted about being hit by a golf cart and the driver blamed her for being there.

Sheesh. Don't people know that they are not supposed to leave their brains at home when they get behind the wheel?

The presupposition beneath the reason for chasing after someone to discuss, is that the other person is interested or capable of discussing the issue. Usually actions like flipping someone, are triggered by emotions that have no real rationale that is based on reason and therefore are difficult to really discuss. The pursuer usually feels better, after having done something in response, rather than feeling like they have been walked on, but in truth, the flipper probably won't change as the action of flipping was emotion driven and not a thoughtful response to a situation. And there is the distinct possibility that the situation could escalate into a major confrontation as emotions get more heated. IMHO it is usually best to not take the flip as personal (as the flipper probably flips anyone who gets in his/her way) and pat yourself on the back for staying out of his/her drama. Also thank your stars that you don't have to live with him/her!


LW888