People walking in Tunnels
 

Is anyone having trouble with people walking in golf cart tunnels? All of a sudden I have many instances of people walking out in front of our cart while driving through a tunnel. What is the rule? Especially teenagers walking through the 466 tunnel going to Southern Trace. They are walking 5 or 6 abreast and you come in to the tunnel out of the sun and it is dark. I am so afraid someone is going to get hurt. Is it okay for them to be walking through the tunnels? I suspect NOT.

This has been discussed before, how when coming into the tunnel from the sun, it's dark in there and it takes a few seconds for vision to adjust and some of us have had near misses....could have hit somebody accidentally and it would be a horrible thing.

Runners, bicyclists and walkers have defended their "right" to be in there, which technically they have a right to do because they're multi-modal trails.

But, others of us see it as toying with the opportunity to keep making their point on their tombstone with it saying, "I was RIGHT, dammit!".

Some seem to think they cannot be harmed by a 700-pound vehicle (golf cart) coming upon them in a low visibility tunnel. Worse yet, some have seemed to think an accident like that would be all the cart driver's fault. Scary.

I walk and run in The Villages quite a bit and the tunnels are the only way to safely cross the boulevards.
When I do use them, I have my rabbit ears wide open, my head on a swivel, and slow way down before entering and leaving tunnels, just like I do when driving my carts.

The multi-modal paths are for carts, bikes, walkers, runners, etc and have to be safely shared!!!!

They don't belong to any one user group.

Go slow into ALL tunnels. You may find a car, an alligator, a tortoise, a truck, a kid, an adult, or a person with a walker in them. I tried walking my dog through a tunnel which was stock full of a steady stream of speeding golf carts. Never going to do that again. I picked him up for the rest of the way and ran across the highway carrying him instead of trying to get back through the tunnel. This was at the tunnel on Buena Vista at the Lake Miona Recreation Center.

There are kids often at the CR466 tunnel as well as sometimes adults. Have seen cars and trucks in that tunnel too every once in a while.

The tunnels contrary to some thinking are not transition just for for golf carts!!
They like the rest of the pathways are Multi-modal.

It is the responsibility of us all who use them to be aware of rights of way and especially courtesy.

My dog takes me walking every morning including the tunnels and we have never encountered a problem with the other "modes" also using the tunnels.

Knowing of the difference in light levels and eyes adjusting......just slow down.

I really believe that too many cart drivers think they can only go pedal to the metal........the brake pedal is not just for stop signs!!

Just keep reminding yourselves.....Multi modal......not cart path!

btk

I made it a habit to slow well below 10 mph for the reasons you state; transition from the brightness to the dark tunnel, and the fact that you can't tell whose in there and what they will do. At 10 mph, I have increased the safety factor to the point where I will feel little or no regret/guilt if an accident occurs.

Thanks for posting this info. I have not yet ventured through TV in a golf cart
and I find this practice alarming. It always pays to be careful.

I wouldn't someone last words to be, "I was right, dead right".

The CR466 western tunnel is especially dangerous with kids from the Charter School going through to Southern Trace and back again. As Cromlich stated, they sometimes walk 5 or 6 abreast. Like most teenagers, they are more concerned about chatting and kidding with each other, than about their safety.

Other than proceeding through the tunnels at a snails pace, I really don't know what else can be done. It seems to me that the students would be safer crossing CR 466 at the stoplight above the tunnel. However as many previous posters have pointed out, the students have a right to use the tunnels. The tunnels are meant to be shared.

Simple solution.....turn your headlights on before entering any tunnel.

Too many people drive their carts way outside their skill set. That is, if you could hit something YOU ARE GOING TOO FAST or not paying attention as you should. Why are people in such a hurry anyway? I get all sorts of rude behavior from people as I drive at 17 mph. 17 mph!! They take risk I know they could not handle to get by me, putting oncoming traffic at risk as well, and then go 20mph. Really??? The next stop sign (if they stop) we are all caught up again... Retired and always in a hurry. Makes no sense.

My advice to all concerned about the tunnels (I also run through them during my daily run) is to slow down to a speed you can realistically handle before you hurt someone or get hurt yourself.

I have been waiting for a thread on this subject. Ever since I have been down here I have noticed the small minded people that have to go as fast as they can from one end of the tunnel to the other. Kind of dumb if you ask me. First of all you are using way to much gas and secondly you'll be replacing your breaks more often than you might think. Must have more money than brains as most people down here do. Slow down before you kill your self or someone's grandchild think about if it was your grandchild .

More people in tunnels because more people are here. AND it's gonna get worse.

PLEASE be careful all of you. Too many sirens.

Sister Hammerin' nails in grade school always told us to say a Hail Mary when we hear sirens. I am prayin' all the time these days and I am not that religious.

It's not that we are speeding. The 466 tunnel has 3 speed bumps in place and it's still dangerous. This post was only meant because of concern. I would never walk myself, my dog , my friends or anyone through those tunnels. It's not that we need to slow down. I experienced a woman at the Morse tunnel who actually stepped in front of me. Luckily I was going at a snail's pace. It is also, the walkers responsibility to stay safe. I don't want to hit anyone. It's scary. Especially the teenagers who have no respect and walk 5-6 abreast and can't understand how dangerous this practice is. I respect anyone's right but I also want those who want those rights to not only think of themselves but think of the person who might accidentally hit them and carry that with them for the rest of their lives. Just be careful. Please! It's just we respect life so much that we want everyone to be safe, it's not that we want sole access to anything. It's just good ole' common sense.

Thank you.

Years back, I used to use the tunnel from Caroline to Sweetbay/Sumter Landing walking but would keep my eyes and ears open and proceed as quickly as possible. Common sense should always prevail for adults and children alike, but unfortunately..........

Just curious why you say they have no respect walking through the tunnels 5-6 abreast. If they were walking single file through a tunnel, would you really try to pass them?

Man, there someone goes again, painting the majority of a population with one brush. I find that indictment to be derogatory and downright rude.
That was not stated as an opinion, so one assumes the poster has facts to back up the statement.

And Gracie... We had Miss Stump Has A Bump On Her Rump in the third grade.

you know, I'm sorry I ever posted my concerns. It's not about finding fault with everything that is said or not said. It's about caring for others. If you took my post to mean I wanted to speed past someone.....you are so wrong....I just don't want to hit anyone. I don't speed. My cart has never been modified and never will be. I try to go as slow as safely possible. Yes, I know there are those with "no respect" on both sides and those of us who care are paying the price. It's about just being courteous, caring, safe, loving and kind. I hope I misunderstood your post and that you are not as mean spirited as you came across. There is no ill will on my part at all. I guess I mis spoke when I said "have no respect", they're young and don't understand how easily they can be hurt. Some folks, like it or not, are in their 80s or 90s, don't see that well and still drive carts. Not saying I agree, but I guess we all have rights. I admire those who stay vibrant and loving life but all of us need to be careful and at the same time protect our rights. Just saying..................I want everyone to be safe. It's ok to think differently but..............

This discussion is going in the right direction.

I love when that happens.

Be careful.. Please be careful. Drive slow-er now that we are crowded.

Just Curious
 

I have never driven my golf cart through a tunnel. I always assumed that you are required to stop before entering any tunnel. Is this not the case?

Also, how many tunnels do we have in TV? I wonder what the cost woud be to have motion sensor lights powered by solar panels. If that would be at all affordable, how about a big fund raiser?

Good info. I wasn't aware.

I share Cromlich's concerns about using the western tunnel under CR 466 to get to Southern Trace. Because the tunnel is near the Charter Schools, it is OFTEN used by children and teens, who think they're invincible, didn't we all? And they kid around, push each other, and often take up a whole lane. I don't mind driving at a snail's pace behind them, but it is annoying when the cart in back of me is blowing his horn in frustration because he wants to roar past. Gosh there's a lot of impatient drivers around. I've had carts pass me in tunnels, and I think that is pure foolishness.

I don't think there is a solution, other than to be aware that there may be walkers in tunnels. Please proceed slowly and cautiously through all the tunnels. And show a lot of caution and respect around the kids. Oh, and please don't blow your horn at others who are proceeding in a safe and cautious way!


I'm sure that Doug didn't mean to come across to you as mean spirited. He is usually hilarious, I love his sense of humor.

You are probably right! Posting can seem cold. I apologize , Doug , if you meant it to be funny. I guess I was just wanting to keep someone from getting hurt and it came across wrong. I sincerely only wanted to help find a solution before someone gets seriously hurt or God forbid, killed.

If you see a cart going very slow through a tunnel please stay back off my bumper and slow down yourself. What is your hurry???{;=)

I agree with this solution and would add...........PROCEED WITH CAUTION & SLOW DOWN.

i give the horn a short beep, to alert anyone that might be in a tunnel, and drive under control. communication is a wonderful thing. still can't figure out what some people's hurry is.

I have a walking group that meets each Sat. at Laurel Manor. I called and asked the recreation dept if we should use the tunnels or cross over the road.
Their answer- "Use the tunnels, that's what they are there for"
We are super careful and know of the danger.

Really? The only safe way to cross. How about waiting at the crosswalks and pushing the button for the lights to stay red? That's what I've always done. I'd think that it would be much more dangerous using the golf cart tunnels.

I am a walker who uses the tunnels. Do I use all the tunnels? If it is safer to cross without using the tunnels I will. For example the 466 tunnel also has a sidewalk running parallel to it on the outside and the traffic lights have walk signals. I feel safer using the tunnels under Buena Vista than trying to run across 4 lanes of traffic.
As a golf cart driver and a car driver I do what I tell every new person to TV. Drive with all the defense driving skill you were ever taught and be aware of bicyclists, walkers, etc.

These tunnels are multiple access for carts, runners, etc. and not for exclusive use by any one group. There will always be the self-centered jackasses(sober or under the influence ) that think they own the roadway and don't care about any other people using the tunnels, roadways, walkways, etc.. WTH is the hurry. There is no cure for irrational behavior.

nysnowbirds - that was very well put. Couldn't have said it better myself. If you must get to your golf date, leave a little earlier.

I walk the streets below Bonita Blvd. and often need to cross the Buena Vista or Morse to get to the other side.

I have never seen a cross-walk or traffic light with a button to push to cross.
Please let me know what I am missing????

When someone makes a comment on this site, people often use their own frame of reference and overlay it on the poster. It's like giving an answer without knowing the question!!!

As I said, when I walk, where I walk, The only safe way to cross are the tunnels. They are there for all of us; cart drivers, walkers, bikers, roller bladers, segway riders, bikers etc.

Get over it and share.... safe driving is not that hard; it's only inconvenient!

Do not blow your horn please, it startles me and I am not a spring chicken,horn is for emergency, not to announce your presence in a tunnel or to amuse your grandchildren

Cromlich's point is well taken. There are those who drive fast, with ATTITUDE. They are amazingly self-centered. The rest of us should use our good judgement and drive our carts to protect our youth and ourselves. Looking out for each other is an obligation of us all, don't ya think?

The recreation paths and tunnels are for all of us to use, not just golf carts. Everyone needs to be aware of their surroundings, show respect for each other and carts need to slow down.

the best most appropriate comment I have read anywhere for a long, LONG time:

"...safe driving is not that hard; it's only inconvenient!..." (from tpop1 above)

I want a bumper sticker and a t short now.

btk

That is an excellent point! Can I use it?

SEEM to think?

Duh, it WOULD be the driver's fault for hitting a pedestrian. Slow down before you find out who's fault it really is when their lawyer calls you.

You have to slow way down when entering a tunnel. Yesterday I was entering the tunnel by lake miona rec center and there were 8 people walking right at the entrance to the tunnel. They were walking in the tunnel exactly as they should have been, two abreast facing traffic, luckily I was going slow and could go around them.