[dillywho]

It is sad that this had to happen at all. As for anyone, other than the immediate families of those involved, all the victims as well as the driver, it does not need to be public knowledge if it was something medical. Right away, people started jumping on testing, etc., of all persons over a particular age. The tone then changed when it turned out the person was 58 years old to "likely impaired".

For crying out loud, stuff happens and we don't always "need to know" just because we are Villagers. If this was not medical and ends up to be something else, charges likely will be levied against the driver. Then it will become very public. Right now, it is all among law enforcement and the families involved.

As for too many people and too many golf carts: I know of no one here being required to stay in what they consider "an unsafe environment". I don't know of anyone "required" to have to get around by cart. Why would anyone consider changing something that works very well 99.99% of the time because they are not comfortable with it? If it's not for you, then by all means, don't. We all came here freely and part of that attraction had to do with being able to get around by golf cart for what I think is the majority of us. As large as it is getting, perhaps there will come a time when we don't even need cars unless we plan to go out of town as more and more resources are being made available. Then renting one is an option for those occasions.

We have a car and a cart. I have given thought to perhaps not ever buying another car when this one needs replacing and just investing in another cart. When I want to go see my kids, I can either rent a car or fly. There are many advantages to doing this:

1) Virtually no maintenance
2) No auto insurance
3) No expensive licensing

You get the idea.

Like I said once before, you cannot avoid all the perils of life. There is no reason for all the panic over a one-in-a-million event. I am a firm believer in "when it's your time to go, it's your time to go", and for the most part, that time is not pretty no matter the manner.

[flyerguy]

Originally Posted by dillywho

It is sad that this had to happen at all. As for anyone, other than the immediate families of those involved, all the victims as well as the driver, it does not need to be public knowledge if it was something medical. Right away, people started jumping on testing, etc., of all persons over a particular age. The tone then changed when it turned out the person was 58 years old to "likely impaired".

For crying out loud, stuff happens and we don't always "need to know" just because we are Villagers. If this was not medical and ends up to be something else, charges likely will be levied against the driver. Then it will become very public. Right now, it is all among law enforcement and the families involved.

As for too many people and too many golf carts: I know of no one here being required to stay in what they consider "an unsafe environment". I don't know of anyone "required" to have to get around by cart. Why would anyone consider changing something that works very well 99.99% of the time because they are not comfortable with it? If it's not for you, then by all means, don't. We all came here freely and part of that attraction had to do with being able to get around by golf cart for what I think is the majority of us. As large as it is getting, perhaps there will come a time when we don't even need cars unless we plan to go out of town as more and more resources are being made available. Then renting one is an option for those occasions.

We have a car and a cart. I have given thought to perhaps not ever buying another car when this one needs replacing and just investing in another cart. When I want to go see my kids, I can either rent a car or fly. There are many advantages to doing this:

1) Virtually no maintenance
2) No auto insurance
3) No expensive licensing

You get the idea.

Like I said once before, you cannot avoid all the perils of life. There is no reason for all the panic over a one-in-a-million event. I am a firm believer in "when it's your time to go, it's your time to go", and for the most part, that time is not pretty no matter the manner.

Well Said.

[hulahips]

Originally Posted by flyerguy

Well Said.

You have clearly listed some pros to golf carts. However only fair to list the cons.
Not sure they are meant to be driven in highly trafficking area due to safety concerns
They do Not offer same protection a vehicle does
More likely suited for smaller community
No AC in summer
No heat in cold

I love my golf cart too but let's be fair and list the pros and cons!

[RickeyD]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

Georgia Guidestones???????

Cool ! I love Wikipedia

[zonerboy]

Regarding the "cause" of this most unfortunate incident which took the lives of two innocent victims, those with a need to know will eventually find out the results of the police investigation. As for those motivated simply by curiosity, they will have to wait, and perhaps the results will never be made public.

[asianthree]

Sadly this accident could have happened in July. The crowds in high season would have nothing to do with this horrible accident. I for one do not need to know what caused the medical emergency, just that this couple will have to live with what happened and two families will have lost loved ones. The third party involved was a man of the cloth, yet still was injured, while running. No one had the chance to react, the only thing that being high season was there were people there to try and help the victims.

[sharoni]

Originally Posted by dillywho

It is sad that this had to happen at all. As for anyone, other than the immediate families of those involved, all the victims as well as the driver, it does not need to be public knowledge if it was something medical. Right away, people started jumping on testing, etc., of all persons over a particular age. The tone then changed when it turned out the person was 58 years old to "likely impaired".

For crying out loud, stuff happens and we don't always "need to know" just because we are Villagers. If this was not medical and ends up to be something else, charges likely will be levied against the driver. Then it will become very public. Right now, it is all among law enforcement and the families involved.

As for too many people and too many golf carts: I know of no one here being required to stay in what they consider "an unsafe environment". I don't know of anyone "required" to have to get around by cart. Why would anyone consider changing something that works very well 99.99% of the time because they are not comfortable with it? If it's not for you, then by all means, don't. We all came here freely and part of that attraction had to do with being able to get around by golf cart for what I think is the majority of us. As large as it is getting, perhaps there will come a time when we don't even need cars unless we plan to go out of town as more and more resources are being made available. Then renting one is an option for those occasions.

We have a car and a cart. I have given thought to perhaps not ever buying another car when this one needs replacing and just investing in another cart. When I want to go see my kids, I can either rent a car or fly. There are many advantages to doing this:

1) Virtually no maintenance
2) No auto insurance
3) No expensive licensing

You get the idea.

Like I said once before, you cannot avoid all the perils of life. There is no reason for all the panic over a one-in-a-million event. I am a firm believer in "when it's your time to go, it's your time to go", and for the most part, that time is not pretty no matter the manner.

That is the most intelligent thing I have read on the subject of this accident. How compassionate, thank you!

[Edjkoz]

Originally Posted by dillywho

It is sad that this had to happen at all. As for anyone, other than the immediate families of those involved, all the victims as well as the driver, it does not need to be public knowledge if it was something medical. Right away, people started jumping on testing, etc., of all persons over a particular age. The tone then changed when it turned out the person was 58 years old to "likely impaired".

For crying out loud, stuff happens and we don't always "need to know" just because we are Villagers. If this was not medical and ends up to be something else, charges likely will be levied against the driver. Then it will become very public. Right now, it is all among law enforcement and the families involved.

As for too many people and too many golf carts: I know of no one here being required to stay in what they consider "an unsafe environment". I don't know of anyone "required" to have to get around by cart. Why would anyone consider changing something that works very well 99.99% of the time because they are not comfortable with it? If it's not for you, then by all means, don't. We all came here freely and part of that attraction had to do with being able to get around by golf cart for what I think is the majority of us. As large as it is getting, perhaps there will come a time when we don't even need cars unless we plan to go out of town as more and more resources are being made available. Then renting one is an option for those occasions.

We have a car and a cart. I have given thought to perhaps not ever buying another car when this one needs replacing and just investing in another cart. When I want to go see my kids, I can either rent a car or fly. There are many advantages to doing this:

1) Virtually no maintenance
2) No auto insurance
3) No expensive licensing

You get the idea.

Like I said once before, you cannot avoid all the perils of life. There is no reason for all the panic over a one-in-a-million event. I am a firm believer in "when it's your time to go, it's your time to go", and for the most part, that time is not pretty no matter the manner.

Thank you for bringing this forum back to earth

[Villager Dude]

This is a tragic event and requires us to think about what we would do if we were the passenger in the car.

In most cases if the passenger recognizes an event taking place and can think fast enough they could grab the wheel , turn off ignition and pull emergency brake. In most car designs it is hard for a passenger to reach brake on floor. Also as a last resort you could put transmission in reverse. All this to save your live and perhaps others.

Maybe everyone should look at their car and look at alternatives.

It appears the car was a runaway car, not sure if cruise control was on but it appeared the car continued to move forward long after it hit the curb.

[Lbmb24101]

Originally Posted by DonH57

We use the golf cart as much as possible. Had the villages not been a golf cart community, we would not be living here. I could not imagine having to jump in the car to go to all the activities in the villages like golf, swim, pickleball, grocery shopping, rec center events.

i

Exactly the same reason I am in The Villages, the infrastructure w golf carts.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Chatbrat

What price do you put on your life--buy a car that will protect you & yours

Its about time people realize the death traps that golf carts are-they are & were designed to be driven engulf courses ,NOT on roads in close proximity to cars & trucks

Its your life- we don't own a golf cart & never will--our lives and physical health are more valuable than so called convenience & $$$$

Yes, because we all know no one ever gets killed in a car

[Jima64]

Originally Posted by Villager Dude

This is a tragic event and requires us to think about what we would do if we were the passenger in the car.

In most cases if the passenger recognizes an event taking place and can think fast enough they could grab the wheel , turn off ignition and pull emergency brake. In most car designs it is hard for a passenger to reach brake on floor. Also as a last resort you could put transmission in reverse. All this to save your live and perhaps others.

Maybe everyone should look at their car and look at alternatives.

It appears the car was a runaway car, not sure if cruise control was on but it appeared the car continued to move forward long after it hit the curb.

Believevthey saidvthe carecincreased speed, possibly driver extended foot on gas pedal in response to medical emergency affecting his body.

[hulahips]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

Yes, because we all know no one ever gets killed in a car

I don't think the poster stated no one ever gets killed in a car but your chances of survival are much much higher if in the car, not the golf cart. I'm sure that is what he meant.

[tuccillo]

It is possible that in terms of fatalities per mile driven, golf carts are safer than cars. I am not saying it is true but you may wish to consider that it might be. I don't have the statistics. Typically, safety statistics are presented in those sorts of terms. For example, with airliners. Nobody will question that a car offers more protection if you are in an accident than a golf cart but you may statistically be at greater risk of being in an fatal accident with a car than a golf cart. If you are trying to minimize risk, statistics provide useful information with regard to random events (which the thread subject matter was).

Originally Posted by hulahips

I don't think the poster stated no one ever gets killed in a car but your chances of survival are much much higher if in the car, not the golf cart. I'm sure that is what he meant.

Originally Posted by justjim

January, February and March are busy months everywhere in Florida. A very good point. This terrible accident had little to do with how busy it was or how many were shopping at Colony Plaza or that residents were driving around in their golf cart or a man was on a practice run to train for a marathon. Rather, it had everything to do with a 58 year old man suffering a medical emergency while driving his SUV and unfortunately it resulted in a horrible accident that was unpredictable and unintentional.

There is no need to become paranoid about driving our golf carts because of a "one in 10 million freak accident". My prayers go out to family and friends of all affected by this tragedy.

Thank you for the voice of reasoning Jim.