[LuckySevens]

I live very near the St. James gate. Yesterday around noon, it took me 12 minutes to get to Sea Breeze, which is about a half mile away.
The main problem was the traffic coming down St. Charles heading to the St. James gate. The cars were backed up from the gate down St. Charles so far I could not see the end of the lineup.
The main reason for the back up was due to almost every car stopping before the arm at the gate to let the golf carts pass through. This caused a huge backup in traffic. I spoke to a police man recently and he explained that is exactly why we should NOT stop and wave the golf carts through........simply because it messes up the traffic flow and everything gets backed up. While talking to my friends at cards, some of them said they thought it was rude not to let the golf carts in, but had never thought of what a problem it causes.
I hope that some of you will read this and quit waving golf carts to go ahead of you at the gate so we can eliminate this problem.
My rant for the day is finished! lol

[gatherer47]

a good rant-you're exactly correct !

[Fredster]

It seems like backups occur ar various places at this time of the year for many reasons,
but I deal with it by thinking how fortunate I am that I live in a nice environment
and that I really don't have to rush anywhere!
We might not be able to do much about the traffic,
but we can change our thinking!

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by LuckySevens

I live very near the St. James gate. Yesterday around noon, it took me 12 minutes to get to Sea Breeze, which is about a half mile away.
The main problem was the traffic coming down St. Charles heading to the St. James gate. The cars were backed up from the gate down St. Charles so far I could not see the end of the lineup.
The main reason for the back up was due to almost every car stopping before the arm at the gate to let the golf carts pass through. This caused a huge backup in traffic. I spoke to a police man recently and he explained that is exactly why we should NOT stop and wave the golf carts through........simply because it messes up the traffic flow and everything gets backed up. While talking to my friends at cards, some of them said they thought it was rude not to let the golf carts in, but had never thought of what a problem it causes.
I hope that some of you will read this and quit waving golf carts to go ahead of you at the gate so we can eliminate this problem.
My rant for the day is finished! lol

My position on this issue for many years living here.
"The road to ruin is paved with good intentions"
Follow the rules of the road ( right of way (ROW) etc.

[photo1902]

I'd imagine we will have some golf cart users who will chime in about the long line they have to wait in to cross these intersections, if not for the occassional driver in a car waving them across.

[JohnN]

St. James is a horribly designed gate, could be so much better. That said, you're absolutely right!

[villagetinker]

There is another problem, as soon as you wave a golf cart, car, bicycle, etc. across, you are directing traffic, and YOU are doing something illegal. Only uniformed police (possibly EMS, Fire, etc.) are allowed to direct traffic. You are in 'control' of only one lane, if a car comes the other way, of if there are 2 traffic lanes, and a car comes up in to other lane, YOU have no control, and you would be causing the accident. No idea if or what you could be charged with, but bottom line it is dangerous to try to control traffic.
While I completely understand the desire to give someone a break, please consider the possible consequences.

[RickeyD]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

There is another problem, as soon as you wave a golf cart, car, bicycle, etc. across, you are directing traffic, and YOU are doing something illegal. Only uniformed police (possibly EMS, Fire, etc.) are allowed to direct traffic. You are in 'control' of only one lane, if a car comes the other way, of if there are 2 traffic lanes, and a car comes up in to other lane, YOU have no control, and you would be causing the accident. No idea if or what you could be charged with, but bottom line it is dangerous to try to control traffic.
While I completely understand the desire to give someone a break, please consider the possible consequences.

[emoji1303]

[photo1902]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

There is another problem, as soon as you wave a golf cart, car, bicycle, etc. across, you are directing traffic, and YOU are doing something illegal. Only uniformed police (possibly EMS, Fire, etc.) are allowed to direct traffic. You are in 'control' of only one lane, if a car comes the other way, of if there are 2 traffic lanes, and a car comes up in to other lane, YOU have no control, and you would be causing the accident. No idea if or what you could be charged with, but bottom line it is dangerous to try to control traffic.
While I completely understand the desire to give someone a break, please consider the possible consequences.

Brings up an interesting question if you stop to let someone cross, although I would think someone rear ending you would more than likely be charged. Also an interesting point is the temporary stop signs used when the gates are inoperable, or completely gone. Are they enforceable, or even properly placed?

[Chatbrat]

The golf carts have stop signage before they can cross St. Charles--nuff said !!!

[photo1902]

Originally Posted by Chatbrat

The golf carts have stop signage before they can cross St. Charles--nuff said !!!

Which, to play devils advocate, is completely unenforcable.

[manaboutown]

Just so long as they do not put an untrained elderly person there to direct traffic...

[NYGUY]

It gets even worse when many new residents think golf carts have the right of way..

[Miles42]

Me first, me first, me first. The American way.

[dnobles]

Please passengers don't wave the golf cart through Let the driver I will not pass unless the driver waves me on.