[sukismom]

Yesterday while up at the Mallory pool, I saw a golf cart drive in rather quickly. Driving this gas powered 4 forward seater was a 5 year old. (white cart with red sunbrella) A young woman was in the passenger seat pushing the gas pedal. I stopped them and informed her that it was against the law and very dangerous to allow a child to drive a golf cart. She switched seats with him and they drove away. Shortly after while driving on Gayles Mill, I saw the same golf cart, child driving through the side streets. I called Village watch, surprisingly they were quick to respond. We traveled the side streets and found the golf cart part at a home on Mallory Hill Drive (Golf Course side). Village Watch took over and the last I saw he was knocking on their front door. What are these people thinking? Driving up to Mallory this 5 year old had to drive and cross O'Dell in the process. This young woman could hardly reach the brake when she had to .

[sukismom]

I have found the Village watch very helpful on villager to villager issues. I knew they would respond quicker.

[karostay]

When someone sees stupid..Police or no Police hats off to Villages watch their only looking out for evryones well being

[buggyone]

Congratulations on doing the right thing! It was good of you to talk to the woman. Lots of people would not do that. Calling Community Watch was the perfect thing to do. I am sure the lady got a good explanation of what her liabilities would be if there was an accident.

No, Community Watch is not the same as the police - but they are a good force to have to watch what is happening in the community. Very helpful people.

[mfp509]

Unfortunately this will always be a problem and sooner or later there will be a fatality. It's sad.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by buggyone

Congratulations on doing the right thing! It was good of you to talk to the woman. Lots of people would not do that. Calling Community Watch was the perfect thing to do. I am sure the lady got a good explanation of what her liabilities would be if there was an accident.

No, Community Watch is not the same as the police - but they are a good force to have to watch what is happening in the community. Very helpful people.

I agree again with you Buggyone.

This little reminder was in the Sun this morning.

I would hve written it a little stronger....such as..."Listen UP! We love kids here and we are sure you love yours, STOP endangering their life and ours. You've got a lot to learn about raising kids!"

I COULD never say that to anyone ....ever but in this case I might have.

[asianthree]

and summer begins

[SALYBOW]

Unfortunately there is no cure for stupid.

[mfp509]

I've seen them strapped in the golf bag area on carts again, also. Every summer it is the same thing.

[buggyone]

Originally Posted by mfp509

I've seen them strapped in the golf bag area on carts again, also. Every summer it is the same thing.

Well, when we something stupid and dangerous, let's make it a point to inform the grownup (nicely, of course) how dangerous it is!

If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.

[mfp509]

I was in my car driving - saw it at a distance or I would have said something.

[Challenger]

Community Watch is a good thing. They might not have ultimate authority, but this is a perfect case of where they can be helpful without requiring direct confration that may be disasterous.

[travelguy]

from what i remember there was a fatality reported on in one of the vha or poa newsletters, the one that reports on golf cart incidents/accidens. i believe that a child was killed in some sort of golf cart mishap. maybe it is time for TV to regulate the use of golf carts within the boundaries of our community.

[Trayderjoe]

Originally Posted by travelguy

from what i remember there was a fatality reported on in one of the vha or poa newsletters, the one that reports on golf cart incidents/accidens. i believe that a child was killed in some sort of golf cart mishap. maybe it is time for TV to regulate the use of golf carts within the boundaries of our community.

I think that I see a "slippery slope" on the horizon and would caution that we need to be careful of what we wish. Where I work, if someone does something "stupid", a new work process, rule, requirement, etc. is written and implemented. While the intent is good, the result is that people who know better and are following the rules, end up being "burdened" to do more to "protect" them from themselves. Perhaps, if people who do stupid things are actually held accountable for their actions and are made to "pay the price" they will think next time. Why do people need to have their own accident in order to believe that yes, it can happen to you?

My running "joke" at work is that we need to let Darwin's theories take effect so that the lower end of the gene pool is thinned out. I know that this sounds harsh, but the way things are going, pretty soon when I drive my car, I am going to have to wear a "crash suit" with a helmet to drive to Dunkin Donuts, the speed limit on 466 will be 15 mph or less and my monthly car insurance bill will cost more than a monthly mortgage payment. Oh, perhaps I shouldn't have identified Dunkin Donuts in my example since it will probably be shutdown when someone else has an issue with how they feel the food to be "unhealthy". They will then pass legislation to protect me from myself since I can't seem to determine for myself that there is healthier food out there. Think it can't happen? Check out New York City and their legislation around fast food. The bottom line is that you can't fix stupid and we shouldn't try to legislate people to protect them from stupidity since the only people who feel the pinch of the legislation are people who know better.

[tommy steam]

This is my point of view. The woman/girl was an idiot for letting a 5 year old drive the golf cart. The child doesn't know they are doing somthing very dangerous that could cause a loss of life. Driving a golf cart around the villages is a challenge for an adult with cars, bycycles, and all kinds of foot traffic. I think the villages is just too big to allow kids to drive a golf cart around here. People don't like rules but many times people who do stupid things affect us all. Maybe kids should have a drivers license before driving a golf cart.