Accident on Morse
 

another accident on Morse this morning - north of 466, travelling south

usual story - car driver turning right into San Marino takes out golf cart going straight on

There is a "Yield" sign ahead of the turn, but it is a jumble of pictograms which may confuse a non-resident - by the time they have deciphered the message it's too late

When driving my car and making a turn it isn't always easy to see a golf cart or recumbent bike closing in on you so I pull into the golf cart lane just before the turn (with my signal on) to make the turn.

Hopefull there's no one on a bike or cart there when you pull into the cart lane to turn.

I guess I wasn't clear. I pull into the cart lane when it's CLEAR just before turning so that I don't run into a cart or bike zooming past. Think about it....

If the vehicle is using their turn signals to turn, the cart or biker should be aware of the car turning and come to a halt. Something like - would you rather be right, or dead right.

yes that's a good idea. We have the same problem as we're taking a right onto our street from Odell. We pass by golf carts and sometimes unsure as we're taking our right exactly how far behind the are. So going into the golf cart lane isn't a bad idea because it forces the golf carts behind you to slow down as you're making your turn. No one gets hurt that way.

I had a close call on Morse while making a right hand turn, I was the one driving the car the guy with the soiled shorts was driving the golf cart. I had my turn signal on well in advance to worn the cart drivers of my intent. At this point I know something is not right, the next day I went to the Sheriff’s office on 466 and talked to the man. He said, “I pull into the cart lane so the carts can not pass me when I am making a right turn. The carts have the right of way but you can enter the lane because it is defined by a white line not a yellow line”. After that explanation and my concerns being put to rest, I was about to walk out the door I then decided to share my thoughts about round-d-rounds with the Sheriff, for that I got a pamphlet with colored diagrams. In my mind a round-d-round should be one lane but then what do I know.

So bottom line duffysmom the Sheriff agrees with you as do I.

That is the right way to do it!:agree:

I do exactly the same thing when I'm making a right turn. I wait until the lane is CLEAR, and then pull into the cart lane with my signal on.

I saw an accident earlier this week where a commercial van turned right and hit a golf cart, driving it up onto someone's lawn.

Yes - always worth checking their turn signals and hanging back

I apparently do not understand the accident scenario. It would appear that an intersection such as San Marino and Morse that the vehicle in the lead would have the right a way. If a golf cart is ahead of a car and appraoching the intersection the car driver should hold back to give the golf cart time to pass or turn right. if the golf cart is behind then the car should give vehicles a warning of a turn 100 feet prior to the turn. what occurs to often is a car will speed up to pass a cart to turn cutting the golf cart off. Or the golf cart behind a car fails to see the car driver's turn signal or the car driver fails to signal. It would seem an illegal to move a car into space provided for a golf cart. It would further seem dangerous because the car my fail too see a golf cart and cut a direct path into the golf cart direction of travel.
I'll make book that in most of these cases one of two things occurs or fails to occur. Either the car driver or the golfca driver fail to notice the other or their signals or the car tried to speed up in front of the cart to make the turn

Duffysmom's approach should be obvious to everyone. But how many times have you seen a golf cart make a left from the golf cart lane rather than from the car lane? Not only do they run the risk of being hit by a car but even by another golf cart passing in the car lane.

That is what I heard the first time. Well Said.

I have seen them do that and that is wrong. We must treat them both as vehicle lanes. One small and one large, but the rule of driving law is the same as if you are on a normal four lane highway. You must yield to the person occupying the lane at that moment regardless of it being a car or a cart.

Simply put, this is the one time the golf cart has the right of way. If a car is turning and the cart is going straight (whether a right or left turn), the cart is to proceed through and then the car go. If the car is in a certain position, the cart or bicyclist cannot see the vehicle's turn signals.

The Deputy Sheriff may feel it is okay to move in the golf cart lane but I've talked to other deputies who say it is not okay -- cars belong in their lane, golf carts in theirs unless the cart is in a merge situation or turning left. Basically, by moving into the multi-modal path, you are forcing the vehicle that has the right of way to slow down for you. Not exactly fair, is it?

Personally, I slow down and let the car turn ahead of me. It's not worth fighting about and even though I would be in the right, I'd be just as injured because some driver didn't know the law and couldn't read a basic sign.

Red,
I go the other way. If I'm approaching a right turn and there is a cart ahead of me in the cart lane. I judge whether I will pass enough in front of the cart to safely make the turn without hindering the cart at all. If not, I hang back so the cart passes the road before I get there. I think either will work. It just depends on whether the cart is ahead of the car, or they are even.

Mike, from what I understand of the law, you are doing absolutely the right thing. If you have time to turn right, do so. If you don't, stop and wait. I just have learned to slow down (remember, I'm the one in the cart most times) because too many cars really think they have the right of way at all times or they really can't stop and wait for a golf cart to cross the road -- they are much more important. Wish these folks would understand that, like motorcycles, golf carts don't safely stop on a dime and the life they are risking to save 10 seconds could be their friend and neighbor.

:sigh:

it's a terrible idea. If you are not sure then WAIT UNTIL THEY PASS what is your rush! you are supposed to yield to them, not illegally cross a solid line.

how many times do you see your 'neighbors' speed up just before a merge so that they don't have to slow down for 2 minutes,

How about the 20+ mph carts......When it's safe to do so I move to the right (cart/bicycle) lane. If I didn't, the 20+ mph (illegal-not the licensed) carts (some at 30+) will close too fast for me to avoid a collision, therefore I block the right lane. I intend to continue to pursue this plan of action to avoid a collision.:popcorn::popcorn:

That's if the signal is working. See a lot of them that don't or aren't used. Generally I watch the cart lane as I'm driving along so I know when I pass a cart and if the turn is coming up and cant get by I slow up and turn in behind them. Don't look just when you're ready to turn...keep an eye on the lane and who you've passed.

I saw a women get in the golf cart lane almost immediately after she went thru the gate coming from 466 heading north & she didn't turn until Rio Grand .She was doing about 15 m. p. h.in a big white SUV.When I continued up morse she gave me the finger before she turned because I was trying to tell her she didn't belong in the golf cart lane where I was driving my cart.So no I don't think it's a good idea for anything like an automobile be be traveling in the golf cart lane.Even if it is for a short distance

If you live here long enough you'll see cars driving in the golf cart lane but that's not what's been suggested earler. The suggestion is that when a vehicle plans to make a right turn, that by partially blocking the golf cart lane you insure that the golf cart can't possibly slip past you on the right. You protect yourself and more importantly the golf cart. Isn't' that really what's important?

Sure is a difference of opinion on this one. I agree with you chuckster. I would rather you pull in front of me than cut me off at the last minute. With the speed of some carts, they can close a large gap very swiftly and t-bone your car. Better to pull right before the turn to notify them of your intention. They may not see your turn signal, but they will see your car.

Ah....you must remember that a lot of people here in the villages don't use turn signals, so it is a dangerous situation.

Right on! :thumbup:

What bothers me about what many of you are saying (getting into the golf cart lane to SLOW the cart down) is just plain wrong. The cart has the right of way! You should stay in your lane and slow down or come to a complete stop until the cart has crossed the street. Obviously, if you have enough distance, you turn in front of the cart, but if you don't, you don't impede the cart's rights so that you can go first.

As I said, I've come to expect cars to cut in front of me to turn and I slow down in my cart accordingly. That doesn't make it right, just prudent.

Redwitch, I agree with you that a cart has the right of way. I would never get in a golf cart lane to SLOW down an existing cart. I don't think anyone is advocating that. Rather, we would get into the golf cart lane only if it is CLEAR of carts and bicycles. That way no-one can unexpectedly zoom out of a side street and get broadsided.

If I have enough room I pull into cart lane. Its not like I am driving a long distance. Remember at some point you will always be in the cart lane.

Barefoot, read some of the previous posts carefully -- they specifically said they are getting into the golf cart lane to slow the carts down.

And, paulandjean, you can make a turn from the street (car lane) and never have to drive into the cart lane, just cross it.

Sorry, this really is a hot button with me. I've had drivers yell at me, try to run me off the road, slam on their brakes IN the golf cart lane just because they are under the wonderful illusion they have the right of way at all times. One guy even cursed me out because the car in front of him stopped to let me go straight. And let me reiterate -- I don't blindly cross in front of a car; I slow down to make sure it is safe for me to continue on my way. If a car slows down or stops, I speed back up and continue on my way; if it is obvious the car wants to go first, I will come to complete stop if necessary to let him.

Sorry Dee, I'm sure you're right, I always respect your opinion.

Here's an idea "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" common courtesy and a brain can go a long way in this situation.

Upon approaching the Sunset Point gate while on Bailey Trail heading out of Sunset Point the cars are always backed up in the winter. Some golf cart drivers feel that since the cart lane is open they can just zoom past all of the waiting cars and merge in at the last minute. Some car drivers block the cart lane so cart drivers can't get by and some car drivers (Me) won't allow a cart to merge if I see that he is one of those guys that sneaks past the cars.

Many of the suggestions given are sensible, and will work if everyone is being alert and courteous.

However, with such a multiplicity of "solutions", no-one really knows how the other driver is going to react.

Like roundabouts, which also seem to cause problems, it would be nice if there were one official answer to which we could all adhere.

Does anyone know the traffic laws well enough to quote us chapter and verse?

I really don't mind what I do - I'd just like everyone else to be doing the same thing.

I have never found anything online about this, maybe a better searcher can. The closest I have come is laws concerning bike lanes and cars, which IMO are applicable to golf cart lanes.

Here are some examples:

Bike Lanes & Right Turns - SF Bicycle Coalition

http://greatergreaterwashington.org/...turning-right/

http://flbikelaw.org/2009/07/motor-v...in-bike-lanes/


I am not a lawyer, but I can tell you I would never consider passing a car on the right in my golf cart that is ahead of me with their right hand signal on. Law or not, I can slow down...

Thank you, AJBROWN

Each of those links supports several earlier opinions that the correct thing for a car to do when turning right is move in to the Cart lane when it is safe to do so, but not too far before the turn (assuming that our cart lanes should be treated like bike lanes, and I can't think why they shouldn't).

That approach certainly goes against what I would have thought to be the correct procedure but, as I said earlier, if we all try to do the same thing then at least it is safer.

Of course, there's still the problem of getting the message to the 68,000 Villagers who haven't read this thread, plus visitors and drivers of service vehicles.

I have been driving cars and carts here for nearly twelve years. The "problem" discussed here has never been a problem for me. In my car I make certain the right lane (golf cart lane in this thread) is clear of carts, bikes and pedestrians before turning right. If it isn't, I slow or stop until it is. If in my cart I will give way to a right turning car even if it means slowing or stopping.

We can argue forever over who is right and who is wrong. My rule, I don't want to hurt anyone and I don't want to get hurt.

I think pulling into that lane to slow down approaching traffic in order to make a right turn could be misinterpreted. Could set a scene for road rage.

Most people drive both cars and golf carts in TV so they should understand that cars and carts are traveling at very different speeds so you have to anticipate any move you wold have to make. Don't leave it until the last minute. And, God forbid, you miss a turn just go to the next street. It's not like we're on the Interstate and have to go to Orlando to turn around.

I just dont understand why people cannot adjust their speed either in their cars or carts and be just a little more aware of their surroundings. If travelling in your car and a right turn is coming up with a golf cart in the golf cart lane, you cannot figure out if you have enough space to make the turn without taking out the cart?? I will slow down if there is not enough space and fall behind the golf cart and let it go thru the intersection first bafore I make the turn. Realistically, how much extra time did it take?? If I can pass the golf cart safely and leave enough room, I signal my intentions and pull into the golf cart lane to make the turn.

My pet pieve is when the golf carts traveling in the golf cart lanes make left turns abruptly from the golf cart lanes across the car traffic lanes. Why is it so hard for them to merge into the car lanes when it is safe to do so and mage the turns. Today I was travelling in my golf cart on St. Charles and the golf cart in front of me slowed down and shot across the street to get to the ST James pool. I slowed down and the car travelling along side of me had to hit the brakes. That could have turned very ugly