[bbbbbb]

What can be done about the weird drivers?

Saturday a couple in a fancy cart, pulled up behind us at a stop sign, honked and started yelling, "Hey get going you *****"
Then after moving out, he roared up about one foot from our rear bumper.
Then, at the next opening for a recreation center, he sped into the open lot, roared across the lot and then at the next exit from that lot he pulled out in front of us at a very aggressive speed and came very close to causing an accident.
So, my question to the occupants of this fine Village, do you know of or care abut the wild stuff going on?
It is almost impossible to go for a nice bike ride and not get nearly swiped by some one who does not like bicycles.
On the MMP we always yield to carts and any pedestrians, we all need to use the MMP units.
State law we understand is the autos are to be 3 feet from a cart when passing,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, OK that sounds good but?
One guy at a Recreation center said he wanted to put his boot through my bike spokes, Really?
So, for those of you who care, do you have any suggestions? If you do not care, that is fine too.
How many happy hours does it take to produce a safe driver with some courtesy and common sense?

[Polar Bear]

Be careful. That's about it.

They'll always be around. Any time. Any place.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Polar Bear

Be careful. That's about it.


They'll always be around. Any time. Any place.

YOU are right as usual............AND...

And a huge bunch more are coming. A LOT of folks who will make us crazy, and may cause harm...coming soon. THIS is no matter WHAT you drive. This is the center for terrible driving, right here in THE VILLAGES. I am looking who to blame.

[NotGolfer]

Folks bring their bad habits (driving and otherwise) with them when they move here. NOT sure why they have to cop an attitude though.

A week ago at the Morse gate on 466 I'd just come through the gate heading north when a cart gunned it right in front of me...so I tooted my horn while applying my brakes. His passenger (a woman) gave me the one finger salute (her age OR I.Q.??) which I always think is real classy. Guess she wouldn't have minded being my hood ornament!

[autumnspring]

Originally Posted by bbbbbb

What can be done about the weird drivers?

Saturday a couple in a fancy cart, pulled up behind us at a stop sign, honked and started yelling, "Hey get going you *****"
Then after moving out, he roared up about one foot from our rear bumper.
Then, at the next opening for a recreation center, he sped into the open lot, roared across the lot and then at the next exit from that lot he pulled out in front of us at a very aggressive speed and came very close to causing an accident.
So, my question to the occupants of this fine Village, do you know of or care abut the wild stuff going on?
It is almost impossible to go for a nice bike ride and not get nearly swiped by some one who does not like bicycles.
On the MMP we always yield to carts and any pedestrians, we all need to use the MMP units.
State law we understand is the autos are to be 3 feet from a cart when passing,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, OK that sounds good but?
One guy at a Recreation center said he wanted to put his boot through my bike spokes, Really?
So, for those of you who care, do you have any suggestions? If you do not care, that is fine too.
How many happy hours does it take to produce a safe driver with some courtesy and common sense?

A few things to remember sadly you/I/we tend to notice the damn fools but not the vast majority that LIVE appropriately.

RE: State law and 3 feet from a golf cart when passing.
I must say, I ride a bike, drive a golf cart and drive a car.
If, I am wrong you can assume that MOST other people do not know it either. I do know that you are SUPPOSED to allow 3 feet between a car and a bicycle-FAT CHANCE. I do not believe the same is true of a golf cart. If, that is so it is impossible to do without crossing into traffic traveling in the opposite direction.

I am normally against big government but, it is clear from repeated posts things need to be improved. We could perhaps, have all the golf carts and perhaps bikes as well have a number on them as they have on the rental golf carts. Thus, a complaint such as yours would not be a fancy golf cart but GOLF CART NUMBER ///////// and it could be addressed.

Your post is a bit one sided. NO IT WAS NOT ME but, I expect there are two sides to this tale.

[njbchbum]

Originally Posted by suesiegel

snipped
I do know that you are SUPPOSED to allow 3 feet between a car and a bicycle-FAT CHANCE.

snipped

IF a cyclist is riding their bike just to the inside of the lane striping rather than mid-cart/bike lane or even close to the curb, is it possible to maintain that 3 foot space without one's car/SUV/truck entering the lane of on-coming traffic?

[billethkid]

We all must practice defensive driving when behind the wheel (car or cart).

Aging brings with it for some, a decrease in judgement, medical conditions, hearing, sight + the me first outta my way folks.

All together makes the other 95% of us have to pay close attention.

[Sgroemm]

Unfortunately I think the inconsiderate driving is a sign of the times....people are so self absorbed, courtesy is fading away. It is something I have noticed over the last 10-20 years as progressively getting worse. I do not know what could solve this. I just know I refuse to add to the problem and refuse to return their bad behavior with matching bad behavior. If someone is driving aggressively, my first instinct is "please go ahead of me....the farther away the better."

[Madelaine Amee]

Originally Posted by Sgroemm

Unfortunately I think the inconsiderate driving is a sign of the times....people are so self absorbed, courtesy is fading away. It is something I have noticed over the last 10-20 years as progressively getting worse. I do not know what could solve this. I just know I refuse to add to the problem and refuse to return their bad behavior with matching bad behavior. If someone is driving aggressively, my first instinct is "please go ahead of me....the farther away the better."

[redwitch]

I used to ride a lot -- at least one century a month. Took one look at the craziness here and said no way to getting a bike again. However, if I were to ride, there isn't enough money to get me on golf cart paths. Too many cart drivers are under the illusion that only they belong on the paths and woebetide any pedestrian, bicyclist or anything else in their path. So, my suggestion is stay on the streets. Actually much safer.

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by redwitch

...However, if I were to ride, there isn't enough money to get me on golf cart paths. Too many cart drivers are under the illusion that only they belong on the paths and woebetide any pedestrian, bicyclist or anything else in their path. So, my suggestion is stay on the streets. Actually much safer.

Couldn't disagree more.

I've been riding in TV for 5 years and feel much safer on the MMP. I have a certain set of personal rules that I strictly abide by and I feel safe on the MMP. And most importantly...I feel almost 100% in control of my safety, unlike on the street where I'm at the mercy of every vehicle driving by me at much higher speeds.

For the record, I think you can make a case for streets being safe for group bike riders who know how to ride properly in a group. But imho, the MMP is much safer for an individual rider who takes certain precautions.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

And a huge bunch more are coming. A LOT of folks who will make us crazy, and may cause harm...coming soon.

GG, it's not like you to make such a sweeping generalization.
I hope you're referring to renters who are inexperienced driving in TV; and NOT to seasonal residents.

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

GG, it's not like you to make such a sweeping generalization.
I hope you're referring to renters who are inexperienced driving in TV; and NOT to seasonal residents.

You don't think the mass influx of snowbirds increases the number crazy drivers in TV? Really?!?

[Fred R]

Too many folks here with lots of money and feel entitled( for whatever reason). Try driving thru the roundabouts on a motorcycle with them

[manaboutown]

The news source that cannot be referenced just published another bunch of pre snowbird photos of almost comically poor parking. Ineptness, inconsiderate behavior, dementia or a combination thereof probably lie at the heart of it all, driving or parking.