I think the guy with his leg hanging out looking macho as you say,has the problem. Are you worried about hitting his leg. Not me, stop the worry, if unsure drive slow, If cart coming fast in other lane slow down. Before you know it, we will have to start wearing helmets. Think majority have no problem with the bridge. just my opinion.

Well said - sorry, I didn't mean to start an argument - thought I had a simple solution to a problem that might injure someone. Yes, I do slow down to below 10mph - but as many others have said, it's not my driving I'm worried about - its the idiot heading for me.

When you look at the concerns raised, there is a common thread. IF the cart is driven faster than the recommended speed on the bridge, IF the person in the other cart has had a bit to drink and, presumably, has less control, IF the cart is wider than standard, IF the other driver has his/her knee hanging out of the cart, there MAY be a problem. So, the other side is IF the cart is driven at the recommended speed, IF the other driver has not had too much to drink, IF the other driver has his body parts inside the cart, then there is no problem.

Given this, I don't see any response from either TV or Sumter County other than: drive the recommended speed, don't drink and drive even a golf cart, keep all body parts inside the cart. I don't see them spending money on rebuilding the bridges (there are two) because we can't control our carts.

The only reasonable changes I can see made would be to remove the walkway raised portion and make it the same height as the cart path. Then stripe it to create the lanes and the walkway. By doing this, it would create a bailout area. The problem I see with that is that it probably violates a regulation mandating that sidewalks must be at a different grade than roadways, bike paths, etc. Also, I can see carts invading the walkway area when there is no danger and impeding pedestrian travel.

this reminds me of the early days of airline/airport security. as the system was being set up every time you turned around someone would say 'what if' and another regulation would be born. the ' what ifs' are what created the TSA mess that we have today. common sense is what will make the bridge safer. not more lines and signs and curbs.

:smiley: That's the most important thing that some lose sight of.... Driving a cart all over in the Villages is like Spandex.... It's a priviledge not a right!:22yikes:

I worry when driving northbound in a cart that a car going southbound could lose control and hop the curb. Cars seem to go terribly fast....over the speed limit. I am not an expert, but would it be possible for a car to go over the curb?

Vidvir

another what if!

Most "what ifs" eventually happen - I just hope it isn't you that is involved.

A reflective guard rail along the curb might make everyone feel more secure and make the curb more visible from the road, especially at night.

Considering that cars can jump over freeway barriers, I'm sure they can hop that curb . . but they can also loose control and cross white lines.:22yikes:

As I sit back and read these posts, I am scratching my head. I've always had the train of thought that we are all adults living in TV. We aren't getting any younger and if you think anything like me, you know that your life is precious and could be ended at any moment, unlike how we felt when we were 18. We thought that we were invincible. I know now, more than ever, that I would never be the same if I caused anyone physical harm, due to my incompetence. would you want that hanging over your head for the rest of your life? We have to behave like adults and follow the rules that were put upon us. It our job to set good examples for others. So if eveyone could go the speed limit and put others before yourself, you will probably get along on the cart paths and tunnels just fine. Nobody is perfect and accidents will happen, but don't let it be you that causes it. Is anyone is that much of a hurry that they cannot slow down and get place to place safely? Come on now, quit acting like kids and follow the rules and have some common sense. Now I'll take the flack for writing this....:rant-rave:

:agree:

Has anyone ever seen or witnessed an accident in the golf-cart lanes on the bridge? I've seen accidents in the regular car lanes. Perhaps they should slow the cars down! Speed bumps every 50 ft should do it.

No flack from me, Happi....it's not difficult to go the speed limit on the bridge, whether you're in a car or a cart.

Cries of changing the bridge seem unrealistic to me. Where is the money to come from? Is the developer going to come up with the funds? Right now, the bridge does what it is designed to do. There was a problem with the roadbed a while ago, but it has been addressed and monitoring of structure safety continues.

Speed limits are posted, we're adults and are responsible for following the rules and limits of the road. Takes only a few minutes to get over the bridge in a cart...put your leg back in the cart, slow down for those few minutes, stay in your lane and the cart behind you will just have to slow down as you drive over the bridge at the correct speed....if they're in a rush, they can pass once they've made it over the lake.

How does one justify violating speed limits when transporting our grandkids?

It all seems scary to me so I'll probably have airbags installed and wear a helmet and seat belt! I'm a safety nut and always air on the side of caution. Maybe when transporting the grandkids you should go a different route, take a car or take them where you don't have to go over the bridge. Cargo too precious to risk....