Share the roads
 

Just looking to vent and get a feel for how others view this problem.
We are all aware of the share the road signs posted throughout the area.
I use an LSV (low speed vehicle) on the roads from time to time. I am well aware of it's speed limitations. It can't do 40-45 mph in a 35 mph zone. It can do nearly 30 mph. So as such I am constantly getting passed by every other vehicle on that particular roadway. No problem. The problem is this. On El Camino Real I know ahead of time if I am going to make a left hand turn. If I keep to the right hand side of the road, I run the risk of not being able to get over to the left to make my turn. Due to the line of cars passing me. So, if I know that I am going to be turning left I keep to the left lane so as not to be cut off when it is time to turn. There are 2 lanes of traffic in each direction. There is an entire lane open on the right to get past my vehicle. Why is it necessary for another "happy villager" to tailgate me and blow the horn?? Then after my gesturing for him to pass me, I am presented with the finger. Unfortunately I lowered myself to his level and retaliated. I am not trying to impede traffic or be a road hog. I have taken to doing this from time to time as a defensive measure. Does anyone have any opinions on this? Drive an:confused: LSV on some of the roads here and drive a mile in my shoes. Can't we all just slow down and have some understanding of what others might be experiencing?? Enough said. https://www.talkofthevillages.com/fo...s/confused.gif

Sorry, but I firmly believe that LSVs don't belong on roads where the speed limit is 35 mph (Morse, BV, El Camino). You should not be going faster than 25 mph and, thus, impeding traffic regardless of your intentions (or speeding). Unlike a bicycle, you have to move all the way over to pass a golf cart. Take the golf cart paths. They're wide enough.

What is an lsv? Is it street legal or some form of bike? If so... I have to disagree with redwitch. If you were on a bicycle, you are perfectly within your rights to take up an entire lane on the street, no matter how fast you can go on the bicycle. In fact, many bicycle online sites advise cyclers to do that for safety reasons, citing among others, the exact reason you state. And it's legal.

As for lowering yourself to the flipper's level, well... sometimes it just makes you feel better!

I think having to deal with cyclers and slow-moving-vehicles when I'm driving is a pain, but it's their right to be there and my responsibility to accommodate their traffic, and I think everyone should do it carefully.

I totally agree w/ Redwitch. She said it all.

I agree as well. When I was first told LSV's or street legal cannot go faster on those roads I thought, what is the point of owning one. Having mixed maximum speed vehicles on the same road may create a dangerous situation. Isn't that why some states have eliminated that rule for tractor trailers?

Why not when you know you are going to make the left turn, travel on the golf cart path and avoid the dangerous situation for all of us?.

If you are going over 25mph in your low speed vehicle (street legal cart), you are SPEEDING on any of the roads in The Villages. Big fine for that!

Now I'm totally confused. I am looking forward to driving our golf cart for the first time in July and plan to scoot around the neighborhood. At some point, I will venture out. There are areas where the golf cart path is on the street, like a bike lane. Are golf carts permitted in the road?

I know this is off topic, but hope someone can help this newbie again. Thanks.

Unless someone changes the law....
 

Unless someone changes the law you have as much right to be on that road as "the tailgater".

My only opinion is that tailgaters, whether in a car or golf cart are vile people. Vile too strong? Hmmm.... nah I am ok with that.

Install a nice camera on the back of your cart. The sign on mine will read in small print:

If you can read this, smile, you are on Alan's camera!

The only other thing I would say is never return aggressive behavior to an aggressive driver. Although, it is not easy, these folks are not stable IMO and it is not worth the risk.

PS. Actually, I guess I better heed my own words and not attach that sign....:evil6:

No problem, bro.

1. You can drive your cart on the multi-modal trails.

2. On streets that have a speed limit of 30mph or lower, you can drive your cart in the "diamond" lane. If there is no diamond lane, you can still take your cart on those roads. You cannot go faster than 20 mph on these streets or you can get a ticket for around $300.

3. If you have a cart that is modified AND insured AND licensed (street legal)you may take it on streets that have up to a 35 mph limit (Morse, Buena Vista) and drive in the regular lanes, but you cannot exceed 25 mph or you will get a huge fine. You cannot take your cart on streets having a speed limit over 35 mph such as 466.

Liability insurance is not mandatory on carts that are not street legal BUT you would be foolish not to have liability insurance on it.

Hope this helps.

Redwitch: I disagree with you....I believe LSV's should be allowed on the roads, the problem as you say of "impeding traffic" are not the LSV's... which BTW are not that many, it's the slow moving vehicles that refuse to leave the left lane. As for the original question of left hand turns I've driven an LSV for almost 4 years now and have never had a problem with changing lanes to make a left turn....I have never gone into the left lane more than 40/50 yards before the turn. Even if busy I turn my directional signal on and stick out my left arm to indicate my turn and then start edging over. I have on quite a few occasions seen LSV's change into the left lane 100/200 yds before a turn which I think is wayyyy to soon, but then again I have also seen slowwwww moving cars do the same miles before they turn.

Helps a LOT. Thanks, but I'm a Nana and not a bro! :laugh:

I'm with Redwitch on this one - stay on the cart parts if you can't keep up with the other traffic. Thought I would lose my mind one day with a "street legal" puttering across the Lake Sumter bridge. That is an accident waiting to happen. And please don't tell me I'm retired what's the rush. No rush just want the flow to move as it should.

Exactly, :agree:

Drive Defensively
 

Redwitch may not like LSVs operating on the streets (nor do I) BUT it is entirely legal. The Florida Legislature wrote the rules.

One possible solution to the dilemma of the OP is to shorten the distance when he moves into the left lane before the turn, as suggested by ureout.

Those who become impatient with an LSV in the left lane, and who refuse to move into the right lane to pass may have moved here from a jurisdiction where "passing on the right" is a traffic violation.

I would not exchange derogatory gestures with other drivers. Road Rage is alive and well; even here in The Villages. And, as we know from other posters, a lot of people carry guns, even in here.

You will always encounter the impatient and the idiotic on the roads. Resign yourself to it.