Cart Crossing at Colony is Dangerous
 

What were they thinking?

Carts backup then decide they have waited too long and just pull out in front of oncoming cars.

LSV Carts leave the cart path and make left turns in front of you to take the road to Buena Vista. C'mon either use the cart path or the street; not change your mind half way through.

Carts crossing from the North to South and making a left turn towards Publix DO NOT have the right of way just like if you were driving a car.
You have to yield to oncoming carts.

My cart is insured for liability, theft, damage etc. so go ahead and hit me so I can move up to a golf cart lot and get that Bentley I always wanted.

Really; part rant, part jest but maybe a tunnel or 4 way stop should be added so we all can live a long time and enjoy.

:spoken:

?
 

They really need to do something with this crossing. The real issue is the cars are going way over the 20 mph speed limit. But like everywhere else in The Villages the Sumter County Sheriff is missing in action. They need to write tickets there until the cars slow down.

assuming
 

how do you know they are going over the limit, do you have a radar gun?

Yea, could be like those turtles in the Internet commerical. boy my computer goes like a son of gun.:1rotfl:

Maybe you should advise them of your concerns......

Phone Directory of the Sumter County
Sheriff's Office
Remember in case of an Emergency call 911



Main Numbers: Area Code 352
Detention Center 569-1700
Fax Communications Center 568-6695
Fax Criminal Investigation 569-1605
Fax Detention Center 569-1741
Fax Front Desk 569-1601
Fax Sheriff Secretary 569-1631
Lake Panasoffkee Annex 793-1164
Sheriff's Office Main Number 569-1600
Suncom 665-0222
The Villages District Office 689-4600

Sumter County would have to approve any changes to traffic patterns at this location. This could take months, possibly years, of studies and traffic counts.

Sometimes changes are made, after many complaints and studies, such as the traffic light that was installed at the intersection of Morse Blvd and San Marino Drive.

Call any on the numbers above to get the ball rolling.

Others to get involved would be Sumter County Commissioners. They are listed here with contact information.
Sumter County, FL - Official Website - About the Commissioners

Thanks for the numbers Bogie!

Although it's always better to contact someone who has the responsibility or ability to address your concerns, it seems that TOTV has become some sort of complaint board.

Kinda makes you wonder . . .

The problems confronting golf cart drivers began from day one. And so it was inevitable that the expansion would only exacerbate this situation.

And if they were, how much over? Most are only going 3 to 5 mph over....Big Deal! Problem......very congested crossing. Solution...traffic light with 10 second left turn lead.

I believe the CDD government is well aware of this problem and had a project to look at possible solutions (perhaps in concert with Sumter County).

One solution proposed would extend the multimodal trail all the way down to and around the bank. That would eliminate all the folks coming from the north having to turn left into the roadway. I believe this would solve most of the problem but there were some reasons why they couldn't or wouldn't jump on it.... whether financial, land ownership or what, I don't recall.

They may also be waiting to see how traffic patterns/volume change once Pinellas Plaza is developed with a new Publix up by the Library. But, that's more than a year away.

I agree, it is a very congested and dangerous crossover for golf carts.

How about another Gate Nd Guard???

All cart crossings are dangerous. Cope.

There was a very long discussion on this site last year re: this! Wait until you can count 35 carts waiting to either turn and cross as I counted last Winter. Colony is overloaded with folks due to not having more shopping opportunities within The Villages on the south side. I for one either go at non-peak times or shop in other locations, especially during the "high" season.

In the meantime we ALL need to be more patient and drive defensively whether in our cars or carts!!!

Or go in the car and pull your hair out 'cause there are no parking spots at Publix!

This is a very poorly designed intersection. It should have had a tunnel like the one over by the Southern Trace shopping center. If they are not going to add a tunnel, they need to re-route the cart traffic so it comes out at a point of a 4-way stop for carts and motor vehicles.

I sometimes have trouble believing the foolishness I read here. The op made a very legitimate point about a very dangerous crossing. I too have seen carts backed up halfway to Morse trying to make that crossing. And I don't need a radar gun to tell the difference between 20mph and 35mph, and I expect that most people don't either. The op also correctly identified the major danger at the crossing, that being carts trying to turn left into the shopping area. About the only helpful thing I read here is the list of phone numbers to call. I am going to call first thing tomorrow.

Dangerous area
 

I live south of 466A and have to agree that the intersection where the carts come off the path and the intersection by the bank and Wallgreens is super dangerous. I rarely take the cart over there now because I'm afraid of getting hit with a car. Now that its getting peak season its even more problematic. People are in a hurry, speeding cars and carts, and just plain congested. Hopefully someone decides to make this area safer before someone really gets hurt. It's not a "relax and get over it" kinda thing. Safety should be the number one concern for everyone and until they make this area safer, I'll ride by car.

Yes they can be but most are behind gates where cars have to first stop for the arm to raise so not really the same thing as the open Colony crossing.

After going through the Colony crossing to golf with my son I decided to come home the long way from Canal and travel over to Buena Vista then back to Morse to enter the Pinellas gate. Longer but safer.

I do but I did not bring it with me this season.

VG

No way to tow my golf cart behind the car so I guess its out of the question when golfing. Solves nothing.

Dangereous intersection
 

Is the POA aware of the problem? They seem to get things done. Maybe Community watch could direct traffic during peak times, but they they will need a whistle & dancing lessons.:sigh:

Why do you need traffic lights, traffic studies, gates, etc .? Your retired! Take your time, you'll get there.

Actually they are paying for a study of this intersection. Whatever cdd this is in know the problem. Are not many alternatives-4-way stop or tunnell.

Maybe a couple of years back I read in the minutes of a meeting that the VCDD had looked into options for fixing the traffic flow near Colony. The idea of routing golf cart traffic behind the bank was ruled out as not being a feasible solution. Supposedly a traffic study is being done this month.

It's good there will be a traffic study, and it's too bad that the idea of routing the multi modal path differently was ruled out.

I think the golf cart/car intersection at Buena Vista and Old Mill Rd near Sumter Landing is dangerous. I don't see any changes there, either.