[caylaboo]

Why not have reflectors on the gates and maybe flags? The reflectors would work in the evening and the flags for the daytime. Yes, some gates are very hard to see, even for some of us with good eyesight.

[Bruce3055]

Originally Posted by rsetterlund

Many individuals are suggesting ways to reduce the number of auto gate stricks. My recommendation is to replace the gates with aggressive speed bumps, which will slow down the cars to allow time for golf carts to cross the auto roads. Let's face it The Villages is not a gated community, it is a community of gates.

Everybody seems to reply with an "all or none type solution." Why not test a solution on a gate that gets hit often and then move forward gate by gate with high number of strikes.

Statistically, there are probably gates that haven't been hit in over a year. Some would say that's because snowbirds are more carefull, and others would say full time residents are more carefull. And both those accusations would ignore others (contractors, guests, etc who also use the gates. It really doesn't make any difference who hits them. Better to focus on testing a solution.

[Calisport]

There's a security benefit to gate arms, and gate guards. I can imagine young gang members that troll cities at night to just run through those speed bumps even in their low riders.

[Garywt]

Originally Posted by Sherkugawa

I was in the lousy driver camp until yesterday going south on Morse in bright sunshine came upon a gate in shade. I literally could not see the gate until I was almost hitting it. No, I’m not ruling out that I’m a lousy driver!

There are no gates on Morse Blvd. if you turn off of Morse then you should expect to see a gate in most cases so if you expect it you should be looking for it and know it is there.

[Marathon Man]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

I'm not sure where there is a gate on Morse south or where the "Lynnhaven exit facing entrance to Bridgeport" is so I can't see the design of either area but I assume it is similar to other gate installations.

Help me to understand, do you suppose drivers are thinking something like this?

Well, I'm leaving Buena Vista or Morse and turning into a Village. There's the sign that says "Village of ...." There's the box next to my window with the card reader and the red button. There's the sign that says "Resident Entry." Every other Village I've entered has a gate but I don't see one here. I guess I'll just drive right on through.

Is that why the gates get hit, because people ignore the signs and the readers and the mechanisms and just drive on through?

Post of the Month Award

[mtdjed]

Do we ever stop to think about why we even have gates? Or even need gate passes? Or separate resident and visitor entrance lanes? Or gate operators? Or exit gates? Or gate houses

It is certainly not to limit entry to residents only. We all know that anyone can enter by either pressing the Red Button and or using the Visitor entrance when staffed. So, gate passes are simply an inconvenience. Unless we are being used in a scheme to make an image that we are a true gated community.

Perhaps the real reason is to gain some sort of slow down safety for Golf cart crossing at gate sites. Gates as opposed to traffic lights such as the light on the Morse Path and Colony Blvd.

Staffing of gate houses could have some advantage at some entrances if golf cart safety is reason to keep traffic flow moving at busy entrances.

Why gate passes if they are not required by all, and red buttons and attendants open gates for all? If you need gates for golf cart safety, just have vehicle actuated gate opening.

Why gate houses at located in areas when no attendants? Promotes expectations that are not provided and creates obstacles to vision of traffic flow at golf cart crossings.

Why exit gates that open upon approach? May cause confusion among residents and visitors to expect the same from entrance gates. While you might think all should know exits verse entrance, I'm sure that exiting the Morse gate south at 466 which is open almost all the time due to exit traffic, may create some confusion especially with newcomers or visitors.

I have no dog in this race and have no problem with the current system.

However, it just seems that the whole system evolved and could benefit from residents being updated by the Developer as to why we have what we have.

[Sandy and Ed]

Originally Posted by jcreason5616

My husband and I just discussed this after seeing the gate down at Lynnhaven exit facing entrance to Bridgeport. The gate is being hit constantly because it blends with the horizon and is not effectively reflective. The only solution we could think of—lame as it is—would be reflective or shiny streamers hanging from the gate arm.

Maybe yes, the gates do have a habit of blending in. However…..each gate entrance is clearly visible even if you can’t actually see the gate itself until you are right on top of it. That should be enough for you to slow down and engage the card reader (if necessary)

[Topgun 1776]

Originally Posted by Jack Lefebvre

It’s good like it is…. Take care of your business .

Spot on sir! Don't drive drunk. Obey the 5mph approach speed. Wait for the gate to come up...proceed. It's a pretty darn simple process.

Stupid will find excuses for doing stupid things.

[kbennett007]

I have a home away from home (work) in Cocoa Brach. The 55+ community I’m in there has gate arms with VERY bright LED light stripes.

Down=RED
In transit = flashing RED
Full up = GREEN

These are extremely visible.

Maybe retrofit these gates arms similarly.

[NoMoSno]

Originally Posted by Garywt

There are no gates on Morse Blvd. if you turn off of Morse then you should expect to see a gate in most cases so if you expect it you should be looking for it and know it is there.

There are gates on Morse Blvd.
The poster is referring to the southbound gate right before reaching 466.
It is difficult to see in the shade, but once you know it's there you should expect it.

[Raceone]

A huge NO to speed bumps! There is however a very easy & nearly full proof way to
reduce or eliminate gate strikes, SLOW DOWN!

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by airstreamingypsy

The gates are stopping zero people from everywhere from coming in.

One of the functions of the gates is as a "deterrent." They absolutely are stopping people from everywhere from coming in. MOST people who drive around the main roads, know that when they see a community with gates in front of them, it means that whatever is on the other side of the gate is not open to the general public.

While our ROADS are open to the public, the amenities and homes on the properties are not.

So it does "reduce risk." It also reduces the risk of accidents, because even if you do plow through a gate, it's gonna slow you down.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by Garywt

There are no gates on Morse Blvd. if you turn off of Morse then you should expect to see a gate in most cases so if you expect it you should be looking for it and know it is there.

Yes there are gates on Morse Blvd. Anyone who lives off of Morse, north of 466 and drives to Sumter Landing, or lives south of 466 and drives to the Hospital, knows this.

[Maker]

How about doing a test. Take all the arms off for 1 year. Just like when a storm is coming. Put NO stop signs up. Notify everyone that vehicles are not going to be stopping, and do not cross until it is clear. Big letters DO NOT CUT IN FRONT OF A CAR OR TRUCK BECAUSE YOU WILL GET HIT - THEY DO NOT STOP.
No more gates being hit. No carts doing foolish things.
In one year, nobody wants them back.

[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by Maker

How about doing a test. Take all the arms off for 1 year. Just like when a storm is coming. Put NO stop signs up. Notify everyone that vehicles are not going to be stopping, and do not cross until it is clear. Big letters DO NOT CUT IN FRONT OF A CAR OR TRUCK BECAUSE YOU WILL GET HIT - THEY DO NOT STOP.
No more gates being hit. No carts doing foolish things.
In one year, nobody wants them back.

Cars going 25/30/35 mph thru intersections with carts........what could go wrong.

Without gates, there many car who will not slow down.
Without gates, the golf cart traffic would have significant back-ups.

Golf Cart Community.