[samhass]

When you exit Bridgeport @ Lake Sumter, there is an absolute blind spot and you can't see carts coming from Market Square. On the cart path there is a stop sign and another yellow sign that says carts must yield to vehicular traffic. Many carts think they can beat the car through. What they don't realize is that the car may not see them at all. This is going to be a tragic situation someday. My husband and I missed a cart by inches the other night. My adrenaline was going full force. We came so close to hitting this man. He then started screaming at my husband. My husband is strong and doesn't react well to stuff like this. The guy drove his cart back onto the path as my husband was starting to get out of the car. I figured fists were going to fly. The guy drove off yelling the whole way. He was totally in the wrong. Someone (else) is going to be injured or killed at this gate. Please approach it with caution and realize that drivers may not see you. I hate coming and going through this gate with my car and cart.

[Rokinronda]

Sam, what an amazing sunrise view! I am planning to photo the sunset in Clearwater beach. It is usually spectacular! :bigthumbsup:

[renielarson]

Sam

Yours is not the only gate waiting for a bad accident. What is your suggestion to avoid car/cart collisions? What can TV do to protect not only the car driver but the cart driver? I understand there is already a stop sign and a yield sign there. However, I would hope management would be open to further suggestions.

[samhass]

Bright, this village tried to get TV to address the situation. They just put up those terrible speed bumps. They only make it worse for the cart drivers. I hate those speed bumps.

[Happy Villager]

The gate at Bridgeport Lake Sumter needs to have a little delay time in opening and I think both cars and carts would be more aware of each other and have time to stop. The vehicles exiting this gate don't even appear to have to use their brakes to slow down when approaching because the gate opens immediately. At the exit gate at Bonnybrook you definitely need to have your foot on the brake or else your car will hit the gate because it is slower in raising.

[samhass]

I wish it was that easy. Even if you slow the opening, carts will still try to beat the gate, then they have to stop to get over the speed bump. It's just a dangerous situation for all involved. The traffic at that gate is intense at times. Cars and carts get backed up and everyone is in a hurry. :dontknow:

[captain1202]

See my other post about courtesy AND common sense!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A little goes a long way! It might even solve the problem.

Samhass? Maybe they could put up a mirror to show what is in the blind spot?? You seem to be a community activist from what I have gathered??

Just a pole with a small mirror would probably be all that is needed??

Here is an example of one of these from Amsterdam. http://bikeportland.org/2008/05/13/b...-in-amsterdam/

[travelstiles]

There's another dangerous blind spot exiting the Canal St rec center. There is a curve, rec center sign and shrubbery to the left and you really need to inch up slowly to avoid cars approaching. We've seen 2 golf cart accidents there in the last few months.

[samhass]

No, Tal. My activist days are so over.
I'm just saying that vehicles exiting this gate may not see golf carts attempting to cross the entrance. Captain, we can be courteous, but that won't help blindspots. I am always courteous at this gate. I know carts and cars are aggravated because of it. Those speedbumps rattle your brains even when you go over them very slowly.
The speedbumps also stop the carts that would fly through the crossing, but they make it difficult to safely navigate the crossing.
Speaking of being courteous or friendly, I always smile and wave at cart drivers at this gate.
You'd be amazed at how many won't make eye contact or wave/smile back. I'd guess about 1 in 15 returns my wave. Sad.

[redwitch]

No answers here but at least you answered a question I have had -- always wondered why there were speed bumps at this gate. Didn't make a lot of sense. Still doesn't since it doesn't seem to stop those who think they have the right of way and are in a great hurry.

Originally Posted by samhass

No, Tal. My activist days are so over.
I'm just saying that vehicles exiting this gate may not see golf carts attempting to cross the entrance. Captain, we can be courteous, but that won't help blindspots. I am always courteous at this gate. I know carts and cars are aggravated because of it. Those speedbumps rattle your brains even when you go over them very slowly.
The speedbumps also stop the carts that would fly through the crossing, but they make it difficult to safely navigate the crossing.
Speaking of being courteous or friendly, I always smile and wave at cart drivers at this gate.
You'd be amazed at how many won't make eye contact or wave/smile back. I'd guess about 1 in 15 returns my wave. Sad.

The mirror could be different from the ones you would see in Amsterdam. http://bikeportland.org/2008/05/13/b...-in-amsterdam/ These are quite ungainly for the Villages' gates. It would not be that hard to make something that would utilize the Villages style. Like a standing house light like the posts in your Village of Bridgeport but with mirrors on its side??? That also sounds rather inexpensive.

[Ooper]

Putting mirrors up may sound like a good idea but the truth of the matter is that I don't think people even know they are there. There are some tunnels like near the Savannah Center and other places around The Villages like over at Hacienda that have mirrors. I watch one day for a while and NOBODY looked at them!

[Muncle]

The main problem with these gates, which I know is POMCO for Sam and those others who drive them, is that the cart path crosses outside the gate. On all newer designs, the cart path swerves into the village behind the gates. Drivers exiting have an unobstructed view of the cart path in both directions. Drivers entering the village are stopped by the gate before crossing the path. Bridgeport Lake Sumter provides a much different perspective for auto and cart drivers.