[TomW]

The St. Charles intersection with Tamarind Grove and Southern Star Way needs immediate attention. I believe someone counted 5 major accidents within at 10 month period with one fatality. They are still building more homes in the area so that intersection will see continued high use. I think the villa wall on the Tamarind Grove side contribute to the problem but I'm not a traffic engineer so that is only an observation. But anyone with an ounce of common sense can look at that intersection and see that it is a problem. The intersection is poorly designed as is the cart crossing on Colony Blvd. and the bottleneck that has been created at Bailey Trail and Buena Vista gate. I assume this all falls under the jurisdiction of county government but someone needs to act before others are injured or worse.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by TomW

The St. Charles intersection with Tamarind Grove and Southern Star Way needs immediate attention. I believe someone counted 5 major accidents within at 10 month period with one fatality. They are still building more homes in the area so that intersection will see continued high use. I think the villa wall on the Tamarind Grove side contribute to the problem but I'm not a traffic engineer so that is only an observation. But anyone with an ounce of common sense can look at that intersection and see that it is a problem. The intersection is poorly designed as is the cart crossing on Colony Blvd. and the bottleneck that has been created at Bailey Trail and Buena Vista gate. I assume this all falls under the jurisdiction of county government but someone needs to act before others are injured or worse.

Go to this site to see a list of Sumter County Commissioners, with their bio's and telephone numbers. You can act!
Sumter County, FL - Official Website - About the Commissioners

[TomW]

Thanks Bogie. I sent an Email to Commissioner Mack expressing my concerns. Perhaps others may wish to do so as well.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by TomW

Thanks Bogie. It is for sure that this is under the jurisdiction of Sumter County?

A phone call would clarify that issue.

[Tom Hannon]

About five months ago I was on Tamarind Groove heading towards St. Charles. I blew the stop sign and went thru the intersection and onto Southern Star. Never saw the stop sign and if traffic was coming I would have been history. My fault yes, but as Tom W said, I think the villa wall has a lot to do with it. I also know of another neighbor who almost got killed at the same intersection and his incident was never reported. A Red light is needed as we have on Canal and Bailly Trail.

[Bogie Shooter]

Does the villa wall block the view of he stop sign?

[FMF Doc]

Originally Posted by TomW

The St. Charles intersection with Tamarind Grove and Southern Star Way needs immediate attention. I believe someone counted 5 major accidents within at 10 month period with one fatality. They are still building more homes in the area so that intersection will see continued high use. I think the villa wall on the Tamarind Grove side contribute to the problem but I'm not a traffic engineer so that is only an observation. But anyone with an ounce of common sense can look at that intersection and see that it is a problem. The intersection is poorly designed as is the cart crossing on Colony Blvd. and the bottleneck that has been created at Bailey Trail and Buena Vista gate. I assume this all falls under the jurisdiction of county government but someone needs to act before others are injured or worse.

I know of four accidents. Whatever happened there this morning has not been verified, all we know is a heolcopter landed in that vicinity.

Every accident has been caused by people either not stopping at the stop signs already in place or stopping and not paying attention to what traffic is approaching.

I don't see how any more stop signs, traffic lights or blinking lights is going to fix stupid or I don't give a crap.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by FMF Doc

I know of four accidents. Whatever happened there this morning has not been verified, all we know is a heolcopter landed in that vicinity.

Every accident has been caused by people either not stopping at the stop signs already in place or stopping and not paying attention to what traffic is approaching.

I don't see how any more stop signs, traffic lights or blinking lights is going to fix stupid or I don't give a crap.

[Tom Hannon]

Part of the problem is coming down Tamarind Groove toward St. Charles because of the villa wall, the driver can't see the upcoming intersection of the left side.

[FMF Doc]

Originally Posted by Tom Hannon

Part of the problem is coming down Tamarind Groove toward St. Charles because of the villa wall, the driver can't see the upcoming intersection of the left side.

I think what you are saying Tom is even when stopped the visibility to the left from Tamarind Grove Run is limited?

Perhaps we would have more luck in having signs warning of a dangerous intersection or limited visibility ahead placed both ways on St. Charles and Tamaring Grove and Southern star.

[BarryRX]

Originally Posted by Tom Hannon

About five months ago I was on Tamarind Groove heading towards St. Charles. I blew the stop sign and went thru the intersection and onto Southern Star. Never saw the stop sign and if traffic was coming I would have been history. My fault yes, but as Tom W said, I think the villa wall has a lot to do with it. I also know of another neighbor who almost got killed at the same intersection and his incident was never reported. A Red light is needed as we have on Canal and Bailly Trail.

There is obviously a "design" flaw at the intersection of St. Charles and Tamarind (Southern Star). Where I lived in NW Ohio, we of course had many rural roads where intersections only had stop signs. At one particularly dangerous intersection in Ohio, they put blinking red lights around the border of the stop sign. The lights were powered by a small solar panel. There has not been another accident at that intersection since they modified the stop sign. Simple and very inexpensive solution that saved lives.

[mrsanborn]

Originally Posted by BarryRX

There is obviously a "design" flaw at the intersection of St. Charles and Tamarind (Southern Star).

The major design flaw is the person behind the wheel. Yes, this intersection is busy during the day. One option to a signal would be to squeeze the cart lanes 50 to 75 feet into the vehicle lanes prior to the intersection as is done on the major signaled intersections such as Bailey and St Charles. I would hate to think that might slow traffic down though. How that courtyard wall could be a contributing cause to "blow" a stop sign, well, the answer is above my prior pay grade.

[PaPaLarry]

Originally Posted by mrsanborn

The major design flaw is the person behind the wheel. Yes, this intersection is busy during the day. One option to a signal would be to squeeze the cart lanes 50 to 75 feet into the vehicle lanes prior to the intersection as is done on the major signaled intersections such as Bailey and St Charles. I would hate to think that might slow traffic down though. How that courtyard wall could be a contributing cause to "blow" a stop sign, well, the answer is above my prior pay grade.

I agree!!!!!!!

[swimdawg]

Originally Posted by mrsanborn

The major design flaw is the person behind the wheel. Yes, this intersection is busy during the day. One option to a signal would be to squeeze the cart lanes 50 to 75 feet into the vehicle lanes prior to the intersection as is done on the major signaled intersections such as Bailey and St Charles. I would hate to think that might slow traffic down though. How that courtyard wall could be a contributing cause to "blow" a stop sign, well, the answer is above my prior pay grade.

Leave it to a fellow "Wheatfielder" to tell it like it is!

[looneycat]

I observe stop signs, and you know what I hear as a result? the squeal of tires as the car behind me attempts to stop, I guess he thought I like to risk my life too!