Golf Carts Merging w/Traffic
 

I know this has been brought up before, but am I correct in saying that when a golf cart approaches an intersection where you are instructed to "Merge With Traffic", you must follow the road striping and enter the main traffic stream, regardless if you are turning right, left or continuing straight? If that is correct, why doesn't anybody do it? For instance, I have never seen a cart traveling south on Morse approaching the intersection at Rio Grande merge with traffic if they are going straight. They just stay to the right. Likewise, turing right onto Morse from Rio Grande or onto Rio Grande from northboud Morse, aren't you still supposed to merge? There are numerous intersections like this, such as Avenida Central and Paige Place near St. George Episcopal Church and others. If the signs say "Merge"... then you need to merge!

You Weren't there last Saturday!
 

I was driving south on Morse at Rio Grande and pulled into the traffic lane with the intention of going straight. I saw a sign that admittedly I assumed said "Golf Carts Merge" , and the striped road in the right GC lane. As I was waiting for the light, 2 carts pulled up next to me with the intent of going straight also. I mentioned to them that they were in the wrong lane - golf carts should merge with traffic - and it was like I was threatening their lives or something! "No, you don't merge with the traffic if you are going straight, the sign says so". I didn't actually go back and read the sign, but I will very carefully next time I drive by it.

So I feel your pain! And I will carefully read that sign!

I believe going south on Morse the sign says to merge if turning left, if continuing south stay on the cart path.

That's what I was told! I was conditioned by so may others signs that say merge, I didn't even read it. Sure would help if there were arrows painted on the GC lane there instead of cross-hatches.

Steve,

When you find out for sure what that sign says please post it here. I have been at that same intersection and also thought the merge with traffic sign was for the Golf Carts due to the street marking. I didn't really understand the purpose of merging if the Golf Cart was going straight since there is no right turning traffic to cause a conflict.

Sign says to merge if turning left.
Would you like to have a deputy sheriff stand there to help you read the sign? Jeez.

I don't know about that particular intersection but, it's my understanding that any time you have cross-hatch markings in a cart lane you are to merge with vehicular traffic until a clear cart lane appears (usually right after the intersection). A lot of people don't seem to understand this and it can create some dangerous situations.

I have ben to a couple of metings, where Lt. Nehemiah Wolfe, of the Sumter County Sheriff,s Office, has stated that at that particular intersection at Rio Grande, when heading south, you are to stay in the right lane, and only merge when turning right. At all others I know about you have to merge with auto traffic.

Well, that's the problem. I was driving along, there was a small rectangular sign that said "Golf Carts..." and the cross hatches in the road.

In this case the cross hatch marks do not mean merge, but rather continue through them if you are going straight. I will read the sign next time I go by, but given the large number of merge signs, coupled with the inclusion of the cross hatches, that all mean MERGE, it didn't seem like the sign needed a complete reading.

and only merge when turning right

Isn't it merge when turning left?

Is there any reason why we cannot go straight on red after stopping (and yielding to left turns) at this intersection when going south?

Good point, Dynasty. Going straight and being able to continue after stopping on a red light makes sense to me. That should be no more dangerous than turning right on red.

The sign on Morse Blvd going south just before Rio Grande says left turn carts merge with traffic, there are also arrows on the street pointing left and straight, which to me means if you are turning left move left you should merge with traffic (as the sign states) and if you are going straight stay to the right and continue going straight.....GN

Holy Mackeral!!!! I am so confused!!!!!:shrug:

What are you confused about?............GN