[dillywho]

Originally Posted by PennBF

We have a few conversations regarding the change in traffic between the summer months and the "snow bird" months. One possible reason for the
lack of courtesy during the snow bird time is that quite a few are renters
and have a sense of entitlement as they paid for a vacation and don't have
the same pride of The Villages as the full time residents. There is a definite
difference in the manners on the road between the summer and snow bird
time. Not sure if it is really a sense of entitlement or just a lack of knowledge of the circles, etc. This lack of manners extends to the golf carts
and is not restricted to cars. I guess the answer is for the full time residents to realize there is a difference and to take that into consideration when they drive either the car or the cart.

Unfortunately, the lack of courtesy is not limited to cars and carts. We had family in from Malabar this weekend. We were in Publix Saturday afternoon and I have never encountered so many downright rude people as there were in the store that day in all the 8 years we have been here. Even our daughter noticed and commented on it. She asked me if TV is this way all the time now.

I certainly hope not.

[VillageSitter]

Our home backs up to St. Charles and saw all the emergency vehicles flying past this afternoon, wondering what had happened. My husband and I constantly comment on the speed of several vehicles as they pass, mostly construction traffic, some cars and the trash trucks. Some are doing 50mph and over. We knew there was an accident waiting to happen. It's not a good mix, the gold carts and speeding cars and trucks. I will definitely say a prayer for those involved in the accident today and hope this maybe a lesson to those out there in a hurry. Life is to short...take your time and stop putting others at danger, please!

[smalldog]

Smalldog Sez
when returning home from our golf at Redfish Run we noticed a state troper parked on the golf course with his radar 'taking pictures' at the scene of the accident
where we had encountered it on our way to the golf course

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Happinow

Everyone needs to remember "you were a newbie once too." please extend some patience to those that are trying to learn the lay of the land.

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.

[Ohiogirl]

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.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

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.

I so agree. My opinion is that new people need to familarize themselves with the area by reading the maps and driving in their cars for awhile until they are comfortable with how to get places. It is MUCH more confusing and thus more dangerous to drive your golf cart at first because it is NOT the same route at all and you have to note tunnels and sometimes go the opposite direction to get to a tunnel to get to the side of the street the path is on. If you are a timid or not extremely experienced driver, it is better to drive a car. I think a lot of people who haven't driven cars or not driven much think golf carts are easier. They are not.

I have seen golf carts going down Morse the wrong way, going into traffic circles and not watching gates and cars when crossing.

So Happinow, take your time. I know you have posted that you were nervous about driving to TV from the Orlando airport, so I am guessing that driving in unfamiliar areas is challenging.

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by Ohiogirl

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.

This is why even more so to DRIVE DEFENSIVELY and watch out for the other driver and expect them to do something stupid. Believe me it will keep you safer,I know, I taught a motorcycle safety class for years and defensive driving saves lives. " Lets be careful out there"

[spk7951]

Originally Posted by flipflopz

The corner of Pennecamp and St. Charles has not had many, many accidents. This is the first one I'm aware of and I drive St. Charles daily since I live in Buttonwood. I'll be looking in the Leesburg Daily Commercial and the Orlando Sentinel in the morning to hopefully read the details because I bet The Daily Sun has nothing!

I hope you did not bet too much. Page A12 of today's Daily Sun has a photo and brief story about the accident.

[Yorio]

I didn't see it happen but must have happened just a minute before as there was no ambulance yet and the car behind the accident car stopped to help out. It happened to be my neighbor though I didn't know at that time. I saw the New Jersey plate of the accident car, mangled passenger side of the golf cart, shoes scattered about and a man lying down motionless on the road. A man from Ambassador cart was helping with what seemed like a wet towel. There were other people from the area helping so when the car ahead of me was able to pass through, I turned right on to Pennecamp. It was surreal. I pray for the man but I believe he has head injury as well as broken up bones. St. Charles and Pennecamp is definitely a dangerous intersection. I definitely feel some cars are going well passed speed limit on St. Charles. On many an occasion I was tailgated. Previously, it was contractors. Not anymore. If you tailgate me, remember, I will slow down further so please let sleeping dog lie. I get concerned going out from Pennecamp on to St. Charles on golf cart. Do you think some people think it's I-75 or 95?

[Mikeod]

I agree traffic problems increase during these months. I attribute it to several factors.

1. We have seasonal/temporary residents trying to cram as much into their time here as possible. Some bring their driving habits from where they live "up north". That, coupled with shorter days with fewer hours of comfortable temperatures, leads to rushing around. I observed an instance where a cart was waiting to turn left off Stillwater. A car behind them didn't want to wait a few seconds and pulled into the cart lane to pass on the right and cut off a cart that was already there. Jeez!

2. We have renters "on vacation" who are also trying to get as much for their money as possible and have no vested interest in TV other than as a destination. They are going where they want to go and don't get in their way. The other day I had a woman (on a cell phone) cross the double yellow line on Canal near Odell to pass my cart so she would be in front of me at the RED light. Unfortunately, for her, there was a car turning onto Canal creating a potential head-on collision.

3. Paradoxically, we have seasonal residents, visitors, etc., who are trying to fit in amicably. They are some of the ones who stop and let carts cross where they shouldn't, causing confusion and creating dangerous situations for car and cart alike. This feeds the perception among some cart drivers that they have the right of way at intersections or on roadways.

4. We have construction going on in several areas. In the past, TV built neighborhoods completely and then sold the houses. The last few years they have returned to the prior pattern of selling lots and then constructing the house. As a result, construction traffic is spread out over several neighborhoods and that traffic is now on more residential streets than previously. Construction vehicles largely don't pay as much attention to speed as residents do. Deadlines, dontcha know.

The best advice has already been posted above. Drive defensively. Assume the other guy/gal is an idiot and be prepared for them to do something unusual. Lately I've noticed golf carts with lights on in the daytime similar to daytime running lights on cars. That seems like it may be a good idea during the "high" season at least. May reduce the range on electric carts by a little, but shouldn't be significant.

[Maryland Girl]

Originally Posted by Ohiogirl

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.

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__????

[mrdills]

Remember Golf carts don't have the right away, first of all the golf carts are driving on city roads and the Villages agree to let this go on. I knew this was going to be a problem. The carts pull out on the streets out of the diamond lanes any time they wish without signing and its just a matter of time before some one gets hurt. I think its time for all of us to remember the The Villages gave us this privilege to drive our golf cart on these roads and they can take that away just as easy. Drive smart, you don't want to argue with a car, you might be right but you also might be dead wrong.

[Happinow]

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!

[bestmickey]

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 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.

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by Maryland Girl

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__????

You did the right thing. You were cautious and therefore continued on without incident Good for you. Sadly the guy screaming at you is guaranteed to have a mishap. I kept telling my students "you ride like a jerk long enough your going to go down"