The colors certainly need tobe changed. However, many gates respond, or dont respond differently to the gate cards. many make you wait until the gate opening from the prior car is completely down. On the way out, some go up a reasonable distance away so you can roll through. Others dont go up until you have the car butt up to the gate itself. It's not just "hoodlums" racing through. Consistency is needed

You cannot see the one in Marshbend when the sun comes up in the morning. Nothing wrong with my eyes or driving. When the sun hits those colors in the morning they are invisible until you get abot 15 feet away from it.

Don't agree.
 

Sorry, I'm on the other side of that coin. Some folks may be Type A and some Type B but, regardless of their mode, there is no need to be inconsiderate. As tired as you are of tailgaters, I'm just as tired of people who impose their preferences onto me. There's always that question; are they holding me to their speed because they're oblivious or because they're defiant? You sound an awful lot like the latter. Frankly, neither approach is earning consideration. Hey, I'm getting old and my time is short - I need to get moving so I can get it all done!

that's it, isn't it? the driver who just cannot wait for his turn, tries to slide along & pass with the car in front. i see this most often going into SS heading for 441.

I don't understand this at all. If you don't see the gate you just assume it isn't there??? Aside from the lack of safe-driving skills, perhaps some drivers' judgment should be questioned!

If you can't see whether the gate is up or down ... look harder! Red on white, yellow on white, flag or no flag... the current gates are not transparent, they can be seen if you bother to look for them.

It would help if the timing on the gates were all adjusted to be the same. I've approached exit gates that seem to be staying open but were just on a long delay and started back down again. I've not had a close call with these but I can see how it could happen.

Speed bumps would be an unnecessary expense and aggravation that would not solve the problem of hitting the gates or serve the purpose that the gates serve. If someone can't see the red and white gate arm across the entrance then they won't see the speed bump either. They will still hit the gate but they may lose control of their vehicle at the same time. For those who don't have problems with the gate the speed bumps will just cause aggravation.

The purpose of the gate is to cause traffic to stop and make the crossing safer for anyone on the MMP. Since a speed bump slows traffic but doesn't stop it, the speed bump will not help those on the MMP. Instead of being able to cross the road when the gate is down and stopping traffic, those on the MMP would have to wait until the entire line of cars has passed. Or, they would have to gamble that they could cross ahead of the driver who will soon be speeding away from the speed bump. (note, this is the same driver who would not have seen the gate and therefore would not see the pedestrian in the crosswalk).

Gates
 

I think the lack of consistent timing on the gate is one of the biggest problems. Some gates go down very quickly some stay up.

I couldn't agree more
 

Most of the problems concerning vehicles here are due to impatience. As you observed, cars doing well over the speed limit, tailgating (I do not understand this unless it is an attempt to intimidate the other driver into speeding up), racing around the roundabouts and passing other vehicles on the right (even when they signal their intention to exit, trying to beat out other vehicles to the next red light/roundabout/stop sign/whatever, turning right in front of golf carts nearly parallel (cause of an accident on Morse Boulevard the other day), although I have to admit I am sometimes surprised by how fast souped up golf carts close the gap. I look at driving to a destination as a cooperative venture, where my goal is to see that I and everyone else get to their destinations safely. Many drivers here see driving as a competitive and really are only happy if they beat you to the next red light or roundabout, etc. , and perhaps arrive at their destinations 2, 3, or minutes quicker. Remember, in the dictionary safety comes before speed.

Great thread starter, Mr Butch, kudos! The color red has been used traditionally as a warning sign (like stop signs). But, as you point out red has its drawbacks. The tradition probably developed because of the color of human blood - but I do NOT know that for a fact? I have noticed that when approaching a gate bar, my eyes tend to scan AHEAD for a greater distance - this combined with stupidity and inattention has caused me to sometimes need to tap the brakes. I have never actually hit one or even had to slam on the brakes. I DO, however, understand why some would hit them. I hope some good suggestions come out of posts on this excellent thread. Some sort of warning sound placed ahead of the gate in both directions might work. Or a mild speed bump with a mechanical bell sound. The solution needs to be inexpensive and simple.

Welcome to The Villages 500

Guards at gates
 

I get so irritated by the way the guards at the gates let the cars through without even stopping them for an appropriate amount of time. The cars on the left are trying to avoid using their gate cards and are looking for a fast way to get through the gate. It is extremely dangerous for the driver who has used his/her card correctly and has stopped. When he she starts to move forward the car on the left dashes through to beat him/her. The car on the left should yield to the car using the card and the guard at the gate should be watching to make sure this happens by not opening the gate till it is appropriate and avoids this problem. I saw an accident almost happen the other day because of this type of situation and the driver on the left honked at the driver on the right. The guard should be trained to watch this. If you are a resident, use your card!!! That is a misuse of the left gate.

Stop signs would work if positioned correctly for cart passings

Could be that repairing/replacing the arms is a very profitable business; I believe they charge $250 to the culprit.

It would not hurt to try. There is always a solution - if cost is no object.

Me too.

Being a rude driver solves no problem!