[VApeople]

I do not think golf carts are the 'king' in The Villages.

We have been here 7 years and own two nice cars but no golf cart. We can go anywhere we want in our cars and every time we have to cross an MMP we have the right-of-way.

Every so often, we sense that a person on the MMP thinks they have the right-of-way, so we honk at them and keep honking until we are well past them. We have never hit a golf cart, at least so far.

[Bilyclub]

Originally Posted by VApeople

I do not think golf carts are the 'king' in The Villages.

We have been here 7 years and own two nice cars but no golf cart. We can go anywhere we want in our cars and every time we have to cross an MMP we have the right-of-way.

Every so often, we sense that a person on the MMP thinks they have the right-of-way, so we honk at them and keep honking until we are well past them. We have never hit a golf cart, at least so far.

Not entirely true. If the gate is missing and a stop sign is displayed in the gate lane that would make it a 3 or 4 way stop intersection.

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

Golf cart are not allow on road over 25 MPH. Not like they’re going down I75 with hundred years of vehicle accidents naturally safety has improved.

IMO the problem in most instances are inpatient vehicle drivers speeding, cutting off golf cart in diamond lanes, and driving off the back bumper of golf cart. Go head or give room.

"Golf carts may be operated on roadways that are designated for golf carts with a posted speed limit of 30 mph or less."

Low Speed Vehicles - Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

[Altavia]

Originally Posted by Bilyclub

Not entirely true. If the gate is missing and a stop sign is displayed in the gate lane that would make it a 3 or 4 way stop intersection.

Probably would not make much difference but I've wondered why stop signs are not installed at the gates?

[Fltpkr]

Originally Posted by VApeople

I do not think golf carts are the 'king' in The Villages.

We have been here 7 years and own two nice cars but no golf cart. We can go anywhere we want in our cars and every time we have to cross an MMP we have the right-of-way.

Every so often, we sense that a person on the MMP thinks they have the right-of-way, so we honk at them and keep honking until we are well past them. We have never hit a golf cart, at least so far.

I generally agree. We have a newer cart that we use from time to time, but not daily. Unless we just want to go for a ride on a nice day or evening or have some other good reason, it is a waste of time (in my view) for any distant drives. I value my time, and do not wish to spend it driving a golf cart. Also, I do not think the MM paths are necessarily safer than the streets. With competing traffic on foot, bike, electric bike, other carts that are often oblivious to speed limits, and drivers who are often as bad as any on the streets, the MM paths can be treacherous to drive on.

[JGibson]

Now let us cross 466/441 at the traffic light and drive on Rolling Acres Rd.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by JGibson

Now let us cross 466/441 at the traffic light and drive on Rolling Acres Rd.

Just which traffic light on 466 would you allow a cart crossing??? Morse??? BV????Belvedere???? Oh, wait, there are tunnels at each of those.

Cross 441? OK, there's only one crossing via the bridge, but you can get everywhere on that side from there.

Drive ON Rolling Acres? Why??

Now, narrow it down to finding some way to cross Rolling Acres to get to the additional shopping areas and you're talking.

[coconutmama]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

I prefer my golf cart except when it's rainy, or if I need to drive a longer distance with limited time constraints. One really NICE days, I'll drive from my house in the Historic Section to Odell for a club I'm in, but if it's muggy, or looks like it'll rain, or very windy or cold, or if I'm running late, I'll take the car.

I actually enjoy the slower pace of the cart, and the sensation of being "outside" when I'm driving it. Three years living here and I still get a mini-thrill driving over the golf cart bridge across 441.

Totally agree. Love the golf cart experience even after 11 years of owning them in The Villages.

Our current SUV has about 20,000 miles on it. Our current golf cart about 13,000 miles on it. Both 2019s. Saving a lot of miles off our SUV & having fun doing it. One of the main reasons for living here. We enjoy shopping & nearby dr appointments by cart.

Yes, a lot of dangerous drivers here for both modes of transportation. “Ya can’t fix stupid”, no matter what one drives.

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Bilyclub

Not entirely true. If the gate is missing and a stop sign is displayed in the gate lane that would make it a 3 or 4 way stop intersection.

I don't think most people would interpret it that way. The only cross traffic is golf carts and other vehicles always have the right-of-way. Are you saying that when they have a stop sign on the ground at the gate, that the golf cart has the right-of-way when they got there first? Personally, I don't think they should ever install stop signs at the gates. Too confusing.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I don't think most people would interpret it that way. The only cross traffic is golf carts and other vehicles always have the right-of-way. Are you saying that when they have a stop sign on the ground at the gate, that the golf cart has the right-of-way when they got there first? Personally, I don't think they should ever install stop signs at the gates. Too confusing.

If they can put speed bump at tunnel entry when you have to make 90 degree turn then big speed bumps should be at gate entry. Majority don’t even slow down when gate is down.

[DonH57]

Originally Posted by Altavia

Probably would not make much difference but I've wondered why stop signs are not installed at the gates?

Mainly because of the requirement of Florida's department of transportation but if they were people would blow thru them like they do where gate arms are missing or coming off the side streets!

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I don't think most people would interpret it that way. The only cross traffic is golf carts and other vehicles always have the right-of-way. Are you saying that when they have a stop sign on the ground at the gate, that the golf cart has the right-of-way when they got there first? Personally, I don't think they should ever install stop signs at the gates. Too confusing.

I realize this is confusing, but golf carts don't ALWAYS have to yield the right of way (just most of the time). When on a roadway where they are permitted, a golf cart is considered a vehicle under the law (so is a bicycle). So, let's just move this away from a gate crossing and into a residential neighborhood. A golf cart arrives at a 4 way stop sign intersection 2 seconds before a car----the golf cart has the right of way, NOT the car. Same is true of a bicycle. Another example----a golf cart is in the bike and cart lane approaching a merge point and has a 150 foot lead on a car----the cart may merge---he is NOT cutting off the car and is NOT required to yield. In fact, most signs in the merge zone require cars to slow to 20, which if obeyed would never allow a car to close the distance on a cart going 20. Of course we all know this is not what happens---most of the time the car driver speeds up to 40 to beat the cart to the merge (Usually the same driver that gives a single finger to a car driver that does the same thing to him when HE is the one in the cart)

Now, back to the gate crossing. WHEN there is a stop sign for cars, this is now a 4 way stop and the vehicle arriving first (or furthest right in the case of a tie) has the right of way (in theory)---Also something that we all know doesn't happen. Adding to the confusion is the fact that the stop sign for cars is only occasionally present. I suppose if they put up permanent stop signs at all gates it would be clear (maybe). The worst are those gate crossings where the visibility of oncoming cars is blocked by shrubbery or the gate house and the gate is removed. Inch forward carefully, since even if there is a stop sign and even if you have the right of way, you might end up being dead right.

[Stu4206]

[QUOTE= Three years living here and I still get a mini-thrill driving over the golf cart bridge across 441.[/QUOTE]

Do you put your hands in the air as you go over? I do.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Stu4206

Do you put your hands in the air as you go over? I do.

Do you scream as well????

[djlnc]

I wonder how bad emissions are from the carts. We might see new requirements slapped on them like most gas powered machines, bumping the cost up even more.