Joggers running towards golf cars in golf car lanes
 

I have had several encounters where joggers are running in the golf car lanes towards me ( I know I am going the right direction). Last night it happened as we went into a tunnel and a jogger came out in our lane as we turned to go in. I thought they should jog with traffic as in flowing the same direction so you could slow down behind them or pass. Am I wrong? Has anyone else had this happen to them where you are almost forced to stop since no attempt is made by them to get in the grass or up on the sidewalk? I know the trails are for everyone but it seems traffic should still flow the same way as a street.
P.S. I wish I could jog.

Florida Law
 

Florida law states that a pedestrian should walk on the left side of a roadway facing traffic which may approach.

A jogger is considered a pedestrian under the law. Definition of pedestrian includes, " a person afoot, in a wheelchair, on skates, on on a skateboard".

Another pedestrian law requires pedestrians to use sidewalks when sidewalks are provided.

If you are on a street with a golf cart lane I would say the jogger should be coming toward you. If there is a sidewalk they should be on the sidewalk (most that I observe do not use sidewalks to jog).

Golf cart paths open up another can of worms, I don't think they are covered under traffic laws of Florida, and as you state the trails are for everyone.

I personally have always faced traffic, I want to see the car and driver just before they hit me, not get a surprise nudge from behind.

I don't know about golf roads but I was a jogger for years (I'm a walker now) and I always ran towards the traffic. The reason is that I wanted to see the cars coming at me as I was afraid of drunk drivers.

Face Traffic!
 

I ran for a long time myself, and NOTHING is more unsettling than having traffic approach from behind and you wonder if they saw you. I'd always use a sidewalk if available, but if it wasn't, I'd face oncoming traffic. Most drivers move aside a bit. That's a great acknowledgement that they's seen you. I'd always wave to them too. But I would also hop up on the curb or go onto the shoulder if I could.
However, when walking in TV (I don't run anymore either), I cross the road above the golf cart tunnels. I'm concerened about carts going from light to dark in the tunnel, and not spotting a pedestrian. That and the blind turns make for an unsettling experience. I take my chances on the roads where I can see what's coming.

For the last two months I have been power walking on a busy street. AS Steve has said most drivers will veer away to acknowledge seeing you. Have have found that alot of drivers that don't veer away are talking on the phone, a little pet peeve of mine.:cus:

It is safer to run facing traffic than with it, however, if there is a sidewalk nearby they should be running on the sidewalk, not out in the cart path. There isn't a lot of room for a cart to get over without encroaching in the automobile lane. I know there have been a couple of times when joggers (and walkers) have been in the cart path lanes on Stillwater Trail (where there are sidewalks) and I have been in my cart approaching them while a car is along side of me. Some have made no effort to get out of the way so I have had to stop because I could not get out of the way.

Facing traffic.... left side of road. If there is a sidewalk I rec using it. Often there isn't one.

Easy way to remember - foot - left (4 letters) wheel - right (5 letters)

okay - got it - thanks for clearing that up - we had bike lanes in Orlando where the joggers ran (with traffic it seemed to me), but now that I seem like I am driving in the bike lane it seemed odd to have oncoming traffic so to speak. I should have asked my son the cop. anyway - thanks.

At least they are on the path ...........
 

I am not out during the time these "joggers/walkers" are out so I really have no opinion as to facing the traffic or going with traffic. But at least they are NOT ON THE HIGHWAY, unlike most of the two wheeled riders I see hereabouts.

Maybe I am a bit old fashioned but when I was a kid, A) there were NO helmets and B) you never ever rode on a street (unless there were no sidewalks and then only for the shortest time possible.)

You know, that same rule I follow today. I survived to 66 without a helmet and NOT riding on the street. Always works for me!!!!!!!


If I have my druthers and I really want neither, I'd much rather collide with a golf cart that a quarter ton automobile.

Keep in mind ...
 

You might want to keep in mind that five years ago at out indoctrination meeting when that question came up about walking in cart paths the deputy sheriff said to remember that golf carts in cart paths have the RIGHT OF WAY.....
So which is correct ??? I don't know , but I do know that there is always someone who doesn't get the MEMO ....

CURB STANDING FUMAR

Interesting Debate here. If I was walking, it would be on the left facing traffic. There are alot of Golf Carts here that thnk they are in the Daytona 500. They come flying right at you. I would rather see them coming intead of getting hit in the rear by one. It is a reitrement community, why the big hurry???????? If your later for Tee Time, try leaving you home earlier..
As far as the bike goes, the have the same right to the road. Most of the cycling groups stay in packs and much easier to ride on the road. Alot of the cycling groups ride the speed limit where it is 25mph. so you should have no problems with them if the car is doing the speed limit. There are places of that you got to pay attention to. That being the bridge over Morse and all the tunnels.

The issue may well be what is a cart, golf car path?
 

My take is that path running from hole to hole on the golf course.
The other "paths" that criss cross the TV are referred to as Recreational Trails...multi modal paths...and erroneously golf car(t) paths.

I am a daily walker and gave been for more years than many are old!
One always walks against the flow of traffic....it is the safest.

On the recreational paths here in TV the single biggest problem is the golf car(t) drivers who think it is their path. Too many are in a hurry. Too many are discourteous in their haste. Too many think the right away is theirs to take instead of giving. All from experience in TV for the past 5 years. After 5 years I still can't figure what the hurry is so many feel they must be in...maybe the haven't adjusted to retirement and learn the most important thing is to be nice(r) to the other guy.

Everybody is wonderful (usually) until some get behind the wheel (of anything!).

btk

I think I need to clarify this was on Odell - which has a sidewalk and grassy shoulder right beside it and I was not speeding but had to almost come to almost a complete stop so the jogger could continue on his way. I was afraid to pull into the car lane without checking by turning my head and he was right there. The tunnel was on the way to town square and I am not sure where that was since my husband was driving. Anyway, thanks.

And a retired police officer told me NO ONE has the right of way. If I am approaching a green light and another car is running the opposing red light, I am required to avoid the accident if possible. If it can be proven I could have avoided the accident and I made no attempt to do so I could also be liable.

Walking/jogging with ones back to the traffic is stupid.

I like the way marine law separates the two. There is a privileged vessel and a burdened vessel.