[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by john352

If you want to see good light gates, visit the Stonecrest community located north of the Walmart on 441. We live in The Villages and have had several dinners at Cheers located within Stonecrest; they usually have live entertainment for dinner.

How many sets of gates does Stonecrest have? 1 set for each "village" that are separated by regular roads?

You can't use a golf cart to travel between the "villages" there...

I have a friend who lives in Mirasol, in Palm Beach Gardens. The have the lighted gates. They only have entry and exit gates at two places, both with manned guard shacks, where you have to stop and let them know who you are visiting...

4 sets of gates are a lot easier to manage than the hundreds we have in TV...

And their HOA fees are astronomical!

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by dhdallas

The gates are a marketing tool for TV & also so John & Karen can brag to their friends back home that they live in a gated community (which it isn't). A speed bump would work better.

You really think the gates are there so people can brag to their friends back home? Seriously?

And no, a speed bump would not work better...

[Arctic Fox]

Originally Posted by Dilligas

The only full proof gates I’ve seen were in Sarasota-Bradenton at a gate that is unmanned most of the 24 hours. It had two consecutive gates that were about 20 yards apart, controlled by passes. The 1st would open to go through, but the 2nd would not open until the 1st was completely closed. Supposedly to prevent piggybacking but I’d guess they still get hit at times.

Yes, the Corsican ones were "doubled"

[metalic]

Originally Posted by dhdallas

If your dementia is so far advanced that you forget that fact and you need flashing lights and more bright colors to remind you, then you should not be allowed to drive.

Why do certain people feel compelled to resort to insults and name-calling?

I have seen contractors drive through gate arms. Must they have advanced dementia?

[defrey12]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

Perhaps the best way to implement this solution would be for those who feel they are likely to hit the gates to move to Corsica.

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂…or they could just open their eyes? Good thing to do while driving, don’t you think?

[defrey12]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

Interesting comment.

Are they ignorant or are they wise enough to follow Federal and State law?

I would say wise enough to follow the law. It is what it is. I’m sort of at a loss on the whole visibility issue in the first place? We all KNOW the gates are there…even if they are difficult to see in certain light (typically sunset). So STOP 🛑! You know it’s coming…creep up from 25’ back if you must. It’s NOT rocket science people. I drove professionally for 35+ years so, yes, I’m a little impatient when it comes to poor drivers. THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO EXCUSE FOR HITTING A FIXED OBJECT! EVER! For any reason. Gates included. SLOW DOWN and learn to drive.

[defrey12]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

Shhh... Don't confuse them with facts...

As I alluded to earlier…POOR DRIVERS IN A HURRY.

[defrey12]

Originally Posted by metalic

Why do certain people feel compelled to resort to insults and name-calling?

I have seen contractors drive through gate arms. Must they have advanced dementia?

Get a grip! There is no insult anywhere in the post. It’s called TRUTH. How many loved ones with ALZ have you had to take care of? What the guy said is truth…eventually you have to take their keys! And he doesn’t say that’s the ONLY reason gates are hit, so you trying to link construction workers and dementia is a little off-base.

[Marathon Man]

Originally Posted by defrey12

Get a grip! There is no insult anywhere in the post. It’s called TRUTH. How many loved ones with ALZ have you had to take care of? What the guy said is truth…eventually you have to take their keys! And he doesn’t say that’s the ONLY reason gates are hit, so you trying to link construction workers and dementia is a little off-base.

Seemed like an insult to me. No grip getting needed. I don't see an effort to link construction workers and dementia. Grip getting is needed for that.

[Laker14]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

All you have to do is look. Try the MUTCD Section 2B.68

Laws may not be perfect but only a fool would think the Villages or Sumter County can override, amend, or cancel Federal regulations - it just doesn't work that way.......

You made that suggestion on the other thread on gate visibility ( I should say the most recent other thread) and what I think I learned is that the State of Florida has adopted the Federal rules, which are inflexible in language and dictate the red and white striping we have now.

If I understood some of the further reading correctly, there is an avenue to request permission to "experiment" with other approaches, (I would assume pursuant to approval). But really, my take on it is that since they are county roads, the county would have to foot the bill, and why would they want to?
Furthermore, I think what you and others have stated is probably accurate, that while they could be made more visible with Optic Green or something else, it probably isn't lack of visibility that causes the gates to be hit.

[villagetinker]

One thing I have noticed is that the timing of the gates was very inconsistent, so I could easily see a gate arm getting knocked down if the second vehicle was tailgating. Now with the new readers and sensor system installed the timing SEEMS to be more consistent, especially at the Pinellas exit at Pinellas Plaza.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

You really think the gates are there so people can brag to their friends back home? Seriously?

And no, a speed bump would not work better...

Sometimes I wonder if people lay awake at night to think this $#&* up!
Karen……really?

[blueash]

From the standards referenced above and to answer the claim that nothing can be added to the gate arms to increase visibility:

Option:
13 Red lights may be attached to traffic gates.

Standard:
14 If red lights are attached to a traffic gate, the red lights shall be steadily illuminated or flashed only during the period when the gate is in the horizontal or closed position and when the gate is in the process of being opened or closed.

So a flashing or steady red light can be added to the gate arm and fully comply with the standards

[Keefelane66]

Can color blind people see red on white?
For these users, red color waves read as "no signal", or "black". These users confuse red and black, so this contrast should be avoided whenever possible. Red and white is legible, but indistinguishable from black and white.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by blueash

From the standards referenced above and to answer the claim that nothing can be added to the gate arms to increase visibility:

Option:
13 Red lights may be attached to traffic gates.

Standard:
14 If red lights are attached to a traffic gate, the red lights shall be steadily illuminated or flashed only during the period when the gate is in the horizontal or closed position and when the gate is in the process of being opened or closed.

So a flashing or steady red light can be added to the gate arm and fully comply with the standards

Nice catch! Don’t know how I missed that.

Now just need someone to come to a meeting and propose it.