Carts damaging the gates.
 

Yesterday, someone posted a link with the camera video images of carts damaging the entrance gates. Does someone have the link? I was unable to find it. Thanks!

Does anyone else feel some of the damage is due to the erratic behavior of some of the gates? I especially dislike the gate at DelMar because sometimes it stays up for a long time...sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes the gates stay up all day...sometimes they don't. More consistent operation of the gates would be helpful. I haven't hit one yet but sometimes I hold my breath as I go through.

These folks looked to be "tail-gating" which they tell us not to do! Even if it looks like the gate is going to remain up, I say hit the button or swipe your card anyway! Easy peasy!!!

Down here in sanibel the carts turn off before the gate. But one thing I watched yesterday was two cement trucks ride each other through it and it dropped fast after. I think the suv was going to go to but it dropped fast in front of him. Not always golf carts...as ours has been off the hinges a few times over hte months and starting to look banged up. I know our realtor told us he had one drop on the roof of his car before. No damage to him or the gate luckily.

My Rule
 

The rules that I follow:

Let the car before me go,
Let the gate start down,
Swipe my card or press the button or pull my cart forward (if an out gate),
Let the gate go up,
GO!

Thanks for the link. I guess anything mechanical can fail, but after viewing the videos, the gate attacks appear to be preventable. An earlier TOTV poster hit the nail on the head....we're retired, why be in a hurry?....slow down and relax. :ho:

Here is the link for the videos...

Village Community Development Districts

Please see post #2 from Bogie shooter. People should learn to read all the posts before responding to a thread.

Redundancy is a Senior's best friend :oops::wave:

It's great that they post these pictures. I just wish we could get some closure also - let us know how many are identified, maybe even post their names and what their "hurry" cost them.

I would also like to see these cameras at all the gates.

Better yet, let's make the gate arms out of steel I-beams. Then we could get all the names of gate crashers from the hospital records.

I agree.
We need some heavier duty gates.
If serious damage to a golf cart was the result, people might think twice before trying to run them.

I respectfully disagree that sturdier gates will solve this problem... you can't fix STUPID.

Serious Bodily Damage
 

.......... would probably lead to the attorneys having a field day. I am sure TV have looked at this issue from every angle.

it is not the fault of the gates. Have you noticed how many of the posts on the cart paths that say Carts only or something like that....how many are crashed into? bent over? black tire marks from being hit? How many have been replaced?

That alone tells the tale.
Drivers don't know what they are doing.
Drivers not paying attention.
Driving too fast (BINGO!!!!!).
Shouldn't be driving in the first place.
Can't see!!!

These same folks remember drive cars here too....hence the gate damage.

I do agree the tail gaters contribute significantly to the problem.
Again that small group who live here who think they don't have to follow the rules like the rest of us do.

Nope....gate damage = NO BIG MYSTERY IN TV!!!

btk

Actually, the installation of electric eyes across under the gate would prevent this. It would not allow the gate to come down on top of a vehicle.

And guess what gate got knocked again and is lying in the divider? Yup, you got it -- poor ole Del Mar Gate. Drive on through folks!

From the hyperlink it appears that all of the damage is being done by golf carts. If so, why? Any cars involved in these incidents?

Also, I'm wondering if people don't know who or where to call if they do this damage. Some of the "perps" seem to be honestly trying to make repairs or otherwise do the right thing. Perhaps a sign with an appropriate phone number?

JM... You only see golf carts in the video because there is no way to identify the driver/owner.

If a car busts through the gate, the camera will catch the license plate and CW will follow up. It would be interesting to know what percent of gate crushers are cars vs golf carts.

Your second point is valid....honest perps might not know who to call even though they could hit the button on the pedestal to talk to CW. Maybe a sticker on the gate arm or control mechanism that gives a phone number to call for damage or malfunction.

LOLOLOL.....you can say that again!!!

are you willing to allow your amenity fees to go up to "senior proof" the gates?
Not me.

It would be cheaper to remove the gates and install stop signs. The gates are expensive to maintain and are ONLY a means to slow traffic (unsuccessfully in too many cases).

btk

Take a look at the video again. I don't think those people were trying to "run them down". If a heavy gate had been in place a lot of people would have suffered serious injury. Yes, those people would have learned a lesson but at a heavy expense.

I agree "you can't fix stupid". Broken gates are here to stay.

If drivers knew the gate was not going to come down on them, what would be the incentive to stop?

When a gate is out of order a temporary stop sign is usually posted. My experience has been those signs are completely ignored. This leads me to the conclusion permanent stop signs would also be ignored.

Because of the design and traffic flow together with people's poor driving habits we have a situation where gates seem to be the logical choice.

Someone pointed out in an earlier thread the there would be an increase in car vs cart accidents if the gates were removed. I agree.

It has been pointed out that amenity fees support the expense of maintaining gates. If enough residents feel strongly enough about removing gates and replacing them with stop signs then they should contact the Committee or the County. (If they are successful my house will be on the market.)

Maybe stop signs AND a large speed bump would do the trick

Maybe require that the exit gates be activated by a card key or button, just like entering.

I agree. The Del Mar gate is constantly being hit and it is due to the gate closing erratically. If you use that gate often you Will find you can often wait a VERY long time before it closes...hence many thinking it is safe to tailgate.