Originally Posted by Ohiogirl (Post 468890)

I think the Villages has the worst drivers (both carts and cars) and sometimes bicyclists, that I've ever encountered, and I've lived a lot of places.

Yesterday, I was driving my cart north on Buena Vista, stopped at Old Mill Run (another dangerous intersection - lots of traffic at certain times). a car headed w/b from Old Mill going right into the traffic circle stopped at the path crossing and motioned the women on bikes to go across. They did, talking to each other the whole time, and never even glancing right into the e/b lane, where a car was coming out of the traffic circle. That car had to brake. I don't think the women ever even noticed it.

One of the problems here is that car drivers don't seem to realize all the time where they have the right of way. Most are probably trying to be nice, but stopping where they shouldn't sets up the above scenarios. Many cart drivers also appear to think that because they are in a cart, they have the right of way, particularly when merging left into the traffic lane. Just because they signal or stick out their hand doesn't mean they can go ahead. THEY are the ones merging and need to yield the right of way - They need to be sure there is room to merge, and remember the cars are going faster than the carts.

I know some of these drivers are just trying to be nice, but lately there have been drivers in cars with heavily tinted windows motioning me to go ahead and cross. I can't see into their driver's side windows and can barely tell sometimes what they are trying to do. They don't seem to realize that they can see out but I can't see in. I wish everyone would just learn the rules of the road and follow them.

Originally Posted by Maryland Girl (Post 468997)

EXACTLY!

Right after reading this thread, my husband and I left to take our dogs to Doggie Do Run Run. We went down Parr to Belvedere. Right before getting to the golf cart path near the library, which crosses Parr, I always slow down because I've seen carts zip across this path. There was a cart there that started to roll out. Since I was driving very slowly, I tapped my brakes in case the cart kept coming. He stopped. I then drove over the cart path and stopped at the stop sign before pulling out onto Belvedere. For this, we received the following: the cart driver bellowed out, "You have a stop sign, dumb a__!! Is oncoming traffic supposed to stop before the cart path to give the carts the right of way? Now I ask you, who was the dumb a__????

Originally Posted by bestmickey (Post 469164)

I suggest that one thing that could help with driver ignorance among visitors/renters (of which I'm one) is that The Villages hand out paperwork to all of us who pick up the temporary resident ID cards. I don't know how you could best reach those renters who don't bother to obtain those ID's. But, the paperwork should explain the rules of the road(s) in TV. For example, how to use a roundabout (while I have them where I live in upstate NY, not all communities have them, so lots of folks are not familiar with driving them). It should also be explained that cars/autos ALWAYS have the right-of-way, how to use and perhaps find the tunnels, etc. I've also been lucky since I've family living in TV, and they have educated me on the rules. I also suggest that homeowners who rent out their properties should have these handouts available for all renters to view, especially if you're renting w/a golf cart for use. After all, you should want to protect your own property.

While driving defensively, we have to be cognizant of the fact that we're driving in a community composed of mostly elderly people. Many of these people aren't paying attention, are losing some of their "faculties", and some get easily confused, etc. As others have said, slow down, pay attention, and pray you make it to your destination(s) safely.

Originally Posted by Happinow (Post 469028)

My husband and I already agreed that we would find the route we were going to take with the cart, to and from where ever, and make sure we know how to get there via golf cart. We assume there must be an underground tunnel or similar to get from Sanibel to Subway in the plaza on 466A. (Not sure the name of the plaza) We have seen golf carts there but don't know how to get across 466A. In due time, we will learn. The best part is we will be coming to TV when everyone else is leaving to go back North. It should afford us somewhat of an easier time making our way around. I also think that a good time to explore is before 10 AM. There seems to be much less traffic. I am a timid driver but not afraid to explore. If we have any questions as to how to get from point A to point B there is lots of help out there from everyone, which I'm grateful for!

Originally Posted by PaPaLarry (Post 469285)

Maybe, the answer to all this is to have golf cart paths that are off the streets, so we don't have these accidents?? At least can plan that way in the new section. I like the idea of having a golf cart, and be able to go where ever I want in The Villages. Nothing like getting up in the mornin, and leaving for the golf course, with a cup of coffee and radio on, and a smile on my face!!! What a "LIFE" America!!! Life is Good, in The Villages. I still feel though, that streets are for cars, and cart paths for carts!! Hopefully, we all will be cautious. Vrooooooooooooooooom!!!!:wave::crap2::coolsmiley:

Originally Posted by raynan (Post 469237)

The accident with the bicycle and a golf cart was on Buena Vista at the entrance to Bridgeport of Sumter Landing at about 5:30pm Monday night.

Originally Posted by eremite06 (Post 469387)

....and to add insult to injury.....according to the SUN today, "the golf cart driver struck the bicyclist, who was thrown from the bike, then the golf cart's driver backed up and struck the man while he was on the ground."

"Bystanders helped move the cart off the injured man's chest."

Are you kidding me????!!!!!

Originally Posted by Barefoot (Post 468886)

I don't think you need to worry about Newbies being treated with patience. Most residents are happy to help out anyone seeking directions.

However, even Newbies have a responsibility to drive defensively and to not endanger other cars and carts. If you're a Newbie driving a golf cart, and you don't know where the tunnels or paths are, pull over on the grass and watch other drivers. I've seen way too many golf cart drivers charge across Country Roads because they don't take the time to find the tunnels.

Originally Posted by mrsanborn (Post 469446)

How many more accidents before the insurance industry takes notice?

Originally Posted by mrsanborn (Post 469446)

How many more accidents before the insurance industry takes notice?

Originally Posted by GaryW (Post 469461)

Need to start allowing SCSO to enforce rules on the cart paths.

Originally Posted by paulandjean (Post 469518)

getting tired of all these golf cart,bicycle accidents.just drive defensive,its not that hard.

Originally Posted by bike42 (Post 469536)

Yesterday I was surprised and delighted to see a Sumter County Sheriff's GOLF CART with two officers in it, driving along the cart path next to 466. Even if they can't ticket, I hope they will be patrolling, issuing warnings and generally helping to spread the "drive safe" message.

Originally Posted by graciegirl (Post 491431)

Hijacking.

We saw the aftermath of a car...not golf cart, accident last evening about five. Police were there as a car was being removed from a crash into a home's lanai off Morse close to Palo Alto. The car damaged the lanai and apparently mowed down shrubbery before hitting it on the east side of Morse.The crash was a fairly good distance off the road. I wonder why the driver couldn't stop.

I hope no one was on the lanai and I hope the driver of the car was not badly injured. I can't think how it happened. It was straight into the lanai and the roof and side of the structure in the area it hit were badly damaged.

Originally Posted by John_W (Post 468765)

I was there soon after it happened. The way the vehicles were positioned, the cart was facing northbound with damage to the right front but was in the southbound lane of St. Charles at the intersection of Pennecamp. The car was in the southbound lane of St. Charles and had damage to the front end. If this is the way the vehicles actually collided, then it appears the cart was turning left into Pennecamp and when it crossed the opposite lane a southbound car hit them.

Cars are usually backed up coming out of Pennecamp and many cars are usually turning into Pennecamp. In fact, the half mile or so stretch of St. Charles at the intersection of Pennecamp, Buttonwood and Tamarind Grove are always busy and congested. It's not a good situation for someone with slow reflexes.

Originally Posted by graciegirl (Post 469465)

Just like every other person from Buffalo, you are one smart cookie, Mrs. Sanborn.

All of these accidents are going to impact all of our insurance rates here pretty soon. I say....bring on the cops, ticket to your heart's content. If the dumb bunnies are gonna act dumb, nail 'em. Or on top of all of this horrible sad stuff and injured people, which is the worst..... we are all gonna be paying through the nose when our insurance premiums go off the charts.

Originally Posted by NotGolfer (Post 491516)

Originally Posted by graciegirl
Hijacking.

We saw the aftermath of a car...not golf cart, accident last evening about five. Police were there as a car was being removed from a crash into a home's lanai off Morse close to Palo Alto. The car damaged the lanai and apparently mowed down shrubbery before hitting it on the east side of Morse.The crash was a fairly good distance off the road. I wonder why the driver couldn't stop.

I hope no one was on the lanai and I hope the driver of the car was not badly injured. I can't think how it happened. It was straight into the lanai and the roof and side of the structure in the area it hit were badly damaged.
***************
This could have happened due to a medical event!

That being said....many of the other accidents that happen here in T.V. are most likely due to folks being inattentive. They're distracted by something or someone. In reading (I think it was the last POA) that was published, accidents and most of those were due to what I just said.

Originally Posted by spk7951 (Post 491592)

According to the story in the paper today this particular accident was caused by one vehicle doing a "rolling stop" from a side street onto the main road. Very dangerous!

Originally Posted by graciegirl (Post 491636)

I have looked from cover to cover and can't find it in the Sun.

Originally Posted by graciegirl (Post 491636)

I have looked from cover to cover and can't find it in the Sun.

Originally Posted by PennBF (Post 491632)

I don't understand why a lot men feel the need to let their leg hang out
over the cart when they are driving. One of these days there will be a
serious accident because of this need to look macho. It is not macho
but rather kind of dumb.:jester: