[Chazz]

Just drove home from the MVP gym in Spanish Springs and ran into a traffic jam in Lake Sumter Landing on Morse, just south of the LSL roundabout and just before the Caroline roundabout. There was a 2-wheeled bicycle on the ground and I saw an ambulance and several police cars. It looks like it occurred shortly before 11:00am. I called it in to the Daily Sun, but had to leave a detailed voice-mail message, as the person did not answer. Hope that nobody was seriously injured!

[NotGolfer]

I too hope noone was injured or worse!! I was "out and about" midday today for an app't and errands. Morse Blvd was more than busy. The string of traffic headed to S.S. as well as from, was bumper to bumper cars and quite alot of carts as well. I had been to S.S. and truly was trying to take as many 'short-cuts' as possible to circumvent the traffic. I've lived here nearly 4 years and it's never been this heavy.

This all being said...we're in the "high season"...many of these folks don't know their way around the community, have health issues where they shouldn't be driving, bring their bad driving habits with them and on top of all this don't use common sense!!! I saw several near accidents to my app't and from.

Stay safe people and use your heads while out there. Just saying.........

[dillywho]

Originally Posted by NotGolfer

I too hope noone was injured or worse!! I was "out and about" midday today for an app't and errands. Morse Blvd was more than busy. The string of traffic headed to S.S. as well as from, was bumper to bumper cars and quite alot of carts as well. I had been to S.S. and truly was trying to take as many 'short-cuts' as possible to circumvent the traffic. I've lived here nearly 4 years and it's never been this heavy.

This all being said...we're in the "high season"...many of these folks don't know their way around the community, have health issues where they shouldn't be driving, bring their bad driving habits with them and on top of all this don't use common sense!!! I saw several near accidents to my app't and from.

Stay safe people and use your heads while out there. Just saying.........

Amen!! High season or not, slow down people! I can assure you that when I was out on Thursday, the major observation I had was the speeders. What is the hurry? Pleeaassee, just leave earlier. The ones going the speed limit are not the ones breaking the law and endangering others in doing so.

Sorry for the rant, but speeders are just accidents waiting to happen. Or maybe I should just say, "Hurrying to happen".

I might add, that Villagers (part or full time) are not the only guilty ones. Too many contractors, service vans, etc. are some of the worst offenders.

[mickey100]

One of the biggest problems is people driving improperly in the roundabouts. My car got nailed the other day - the other person was given a ticket. People need to drive defensively - there are a lot of people here that have poor driving skills, don't know or care how the roundabouts work, and basically lack common sense. Even when you're on your toes and being watchful, accidents still happen, thank to "the other guy".

I really feel for the person on the bicycle on Morse. Too many autos seem to think they don't have to share the road. Bikes have just as much of a right to be on the highway as cars. We need to take care when passing bicycles, not talk on the cell phones and otherwise not pay good attention.

[Chazz]

Originally Posted by mickey100

One of the biggest problems is people driving improperly in the roundabouts. My car got nailed the other day - the other person was given a ticket. People need to drive defensively - there are a lot of people here that have poor driving skills, don't know or care how the roundabouts work, and basically lack common sense. Even when you're on your toes and being watchful, accidents still happen, thank to "the other guy".

I really feel for the person on the bicycle on Morse. Too many autos seem to think they don't have to share the road. Bikes have just as much of a right to be on the highway as cars. We need to take care when passing bicycles, not talk on the cell phones and otherwise not pay good attention.

From what I saw, the accident looked like it happened between the Caroline and Lake Sumter Landings roundabouts, not actually in either of the roundabouts.

It will be interesting to learn, if we ever do, the details of what happened. Usually, the Daily Sun doesn't provide enough information to draw any reliable conclusions about accidents like these, which often leaves too much room for speculation.

[PennBF]

We have lived here year around and as soon as Jan. starts there is distinct lack of safety on the roads and forget the "non season" courtesy. We have been cut off, horn blown, and just plain rude people. I am not sure how it can be controlled but it is real. I guess the best thing is to just be double safe. I think the snow birds and renters believe they are on vacation and can act as though they are free to be rude, aggressive etc.
There is none of this starting in May through November. Maybe they should pick up the number police coverage during the Jan-May period?

[ilovetv]

Why is it that when there is a bicycle-car accident on the streets, that people here immediately assume the car driver caused it due to speeding and/or aggression?

Why is it not presumed at first that this was an "accident"--that happened unintentionally, and maybe the bicyclist caused it??

I have seen all too many instances of bicyclists being an accident waiting to happen because

a) they wear dark or muted grey clothing that cannot be seen, especially at dusk; or

b) they are weak and wobbly riders who are unable to keep up with the normal speed/flow of Morse or Buena Vista, and they'd be a whole lot safer on the multi-modal trails; or

c) they think they are Lance Armstrong on a bike, and take big risks dodging and darting amongst vehicles like trucks with trailers, and in the roundabouts when they could be using the tunnels and stay out of the circles in which there are clueless car/truck drivers that are an accident waiting to happen.

It's a nightmare to think about the possibility of hitting and maiming a bicyclist. Precautions should be directed to them, too.

[skip0358]

Originally Posted by ilovetv

Why is it that when there is a bicycle-car accident on the streets, that people here immediately assume the car driver caused it due to speeding and/or aggression?

Why is it not presumed at first that this was an "accident"--that happened unintentionally, and maybe the bicyclist caused it??

I have seen all too many instances of bicyclists being an accident waiting to happen because

a) they wear dark or muted grey clothing that cannot be seen, especially at dusk; or

b) they are weak and wobbly riders who are unable to keep up with the normal speed/flow of Morse or Buena Vista, and they'd be a whole lot safer on the multi-modal trails; or

c) they think they are Lance Armstrong on a bike, and take big risks dodging and darting amongst vehicles like trucks with trailers, and in the roundabouts when they could be using the tunnels and stay out of the circles in which there are clueless car/truck drivers that are an accident waiting to happen.

It's a nightmare to think about the possibility of hitting and maiming a bicyclist. Precautions should be directed to them, too.

I am a bike rider and by no means a Lance Armstrong. After riding on the multi model paths I'll take the road anyday. On the MM path I've been forced to the grass , cussed at and given the salute.On the road I stay on the side, have my front and rear lights on and wear bright clothing. I know if i get hit I'm going to get hurt, but since I watch my mirror I stand a better chance on the road. I don't undertand WHY people on the MM path can't slow down and abide ny the 3x3 law as required under Florida law.

[cquick]

Remember, bicyles share the road.

Also DON'T try to turn left from the RIGHT lane in a roundabout! Would you turn left at a stop sign from the right lane?

Please think!

[Chazz]

Originally Posted by skip0358

... I don't undertand WHY people on the MM path can't slow down and abide ny the 3x3 law as required under Florida law.

Unfortunately, the 3 foot law does not apply to the multimodal paths. Common sense would dictate that it is good practice to follow that precaution, but the multimodal paths are not considered to be part of the vehicle road system. So, cyclists riding on these paths are left to rely on the common courtesy and good sense of the cart drivers, as well as their own sense of self preservation..

[mulligan]

I understand about sharing the road, BUT, I have 1 squawk with bikers. When you ride in a pack, or mob or whatever you call it, how about breaking it up into groups of 3 or 4 to give carts a chance to pass ?

[villages07]

There was an article in today's paper....86 year old female in a Cadillac struck 71 year old cyclist. Hospitalized with non life threatening injuries. Still under investigation. No real information as to cause or circumstances.

[Chazz]

Hope that the Daily Sun does some followup on the findings of the investigation so we can possibly learn something from it.