[pooh]

Originally Posted by petenj

I took my driving test at age 17. Only did one thing wrong. On a closed course there is no traffic, so I just rolled through the STOP. Failed, had to wait a month for another appointment.
Now I teach motorcycle safety. I ride a motorcycle and understand the need to STOP at STOP signs.
I want everyone else on the road to STOP as well.

I agree about stopping. A friend's sister and her hubby were out on their Harleys when someone either ran a red light or ran a stop sign. Both were hit and she was killed. Stop means Stop.

[TomW]

I read that cash strapped cities are stepping up traffic enforcement as a means of replacing lost tax revenue in a down economy. Most of the examples cited were from CA but some other cities were mentioned as well. In one case, for each $10 of scheduled fine, there was $26 additional that was dedicated for municipal services. So a $200 ticket would cost $720. Perhaps a sign of things to come. I just can't remember if the article was posted here or on another site.

[jtdraig]

Not only are you REQUIRED to stop at a STOP sign but you must also STOP for three seconds (state law)...so California stops aren't going to work. Debate all you want but the law is the law...and ultimately it saves lives, expensive or not.

[chacam]

Originally Posted by jtdraig

Not only are you REQUIRED to stop at a STOP sign but you must also STOP for three seconds (state law)...so California stops aren't going to work. Debate all you want but the law is the law...and ultimately it saves lives, expensive or not.

What statute covers the three second stop?

[chuckster]

Common sense...............

[bluedog103]

I really doubt this 3 second law. Certainly a full stop is mandatory. There is, to my knowledge, no time duration attached to that stop.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by TomW

I read that cash strapped cities are stepping up traffic enforcement as a means of replacing lost tax revenue in a down economy. Most of the examples cited were from CA but some other cities were mentioned as well. In one case, for each $10 of scheduled fine, there was $26 additional that was dedicated for municipal services. So a $200 ticket would cost $720. Perhaps a sign of things to come. I just can't remember if the article was posted here or on another site.

In my humble opinion, focusing on traffic law enforcement and punishing traffic offenders by collecting major fines is a great idea for replacing lost tax revenue. Whether they drive cars or golf carts. I do believe that if people insist on breaking traffic laws and putting other people's lives in jeopardy, they should be heavily fined.

Golf cart drivers don't have helmets, seat belts, or a protective frame. And yet many drivers feel they are "king of the road" and cut off cars. Scary!

[Talk Host]

I believe the traffic law says tires must "stop rotating."

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

I believe the traffic law says tires must "stop rotating."

I think it would take three seconds for tires to stop rotating and for a driver to check in both directions at a stop sign.

If drivers feel that stopping for three seconds is too much time to check traffic in both directions, I think they must be awfully busy, and their heads must be on a really fast swivel.

[BogeyBoy]

316.123 Vehicle entering stop or yield intersection.--

(1) The right-of-way at an intersection may be indicated by stop signs or yield signs as authorized in s. 316.006.

(2)(a) Except when directed to proceed by a police officer or traffic control signal, every driver of a vehicle approaching a stop intersection indicated by a stop sign shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the intersection. After having stopped, the driver shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle which has entered the intersection from another highway or which is approaching so closely on said highway as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time when the driver is moving across or within the intersection.

(b) At a four-way stop intersection, the driver of the first vehicle to stop at the intersection shall be the first to proceed. If two or more vehicles reach the four-way stop intersection at the same time, the driver of the vehicle on the left shall yield the right-of-way to the vehicle on the right.

(3) The driver of a vehicle approaching a yield sign shall, in obedience to such sign, slow down to a speed reasonable for the existing conditions and, if required for safety to stop, shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or, if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway. After slowing or stopping, the driver shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching on another highway so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard during the time the driver is moving across or within the intersection. If such a driver is involved in a collision with a pedestrian in a crosswalk or a vehicle in the intersection, after driving past a yield sign without stopping, the collision shall be deemed prima facie evidence of the driver's failure to yield the right-of-way.

(4) A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation as provided in chapter 318.


Also from Florida Statutes (316.003 - definitions) -

(51) STOP.--When required, complete cessation from movement.

[TomW]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

In my humble opinion, focusing on traffic law enforcement and punishing traffic offenders by collecting major fines is a great idea for replacing lost tax revenue. Whether they drive cars or golf carts. I do believe that if people insist on breaking traffic laws and putting other people's lives in jeopardy, they should be heavily fined.

Golf cart drivers don't have helmets, seat belts, or a protective frame. And yet many drivers feel they are "king of the road" and cut off cars. Scary!

I expect it will take a series of real tragedies to raise awareness to a level that people start modifying their behaviors. There likely isn't enough law enforcement personnel in the whole of Sumter County to police all dangerous driving in TV. There is probably some social reason why otherwise kind and decent people would endanger their friends, neighbors, grandchildren and themselves when they get behind the wheel of a vehicle. It isn't rational to drive dangerously so something that contributes to an inability to recognize reality and respond in a rational manner is at work and in play. What that may be, I don't know.

[Talk Host]

Originally Posted by TomW

I expect it will take a series of real tragedies to raise awareness to a level that people start modifying their behaviors. There likely isn't enough law enforcement personnel in the whole of Sumter County to police all dangerous driving in TV. There is probably some social reason why otherwise kind and decent people would endanger their friends, neighbors, grandchildren and themselves when they get behind the wheel of a vehicle. It isn't rational to drive dangerously so something that contributes to an inability to recognize reality and respond in a rational manner is at work and in play. What that may be, I don't know.

I think it's an unrealistic sense of entitlement on the part of many.

[pooh]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

I think it's an unrealistic sense of entitlement on the part of many.

What I'm wondering is does that sense of entitlement refer to those who've just moved in , those who've lived here for a while, those vacationing? What I've seen is that people who have lived here for a bit seem to drive more carefully. This is purely observational and not necessarily factual.

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

I think it's an unrealistic sense of entitlement on the part of many.

Habitual harriedness. It seems many have become so accustomed in their working lives to deadlines, traffic, picking up the kids on time from school, carpooling, "get me to the show on time," etc., that time itself has become a major stressor. We need to re-learn to smell the roses.

Plus, nobody seems to think an accident will happen to them. It's other people who have accidents.

[dillywho]

Originally Posted by pooh

What I'm wondering is does that sense of entitlement refer to those who've just moved in , those who've lived here for a while, those vacationing? What I've seen is that people who have lived here for a bit seem to drive more carefully. This is purely observational and not necessarily factual.

You could be more on target than you think. Perhaps the people that have been here a while have seen more of the consequences that result in reckless behavior in golf carts and/or not knowing what is safe and/or acceptable and are more cautious as a result. While some is intentional, often other actions are not. I have also noticed several "street legal" carts crossing county roads, etc. that have not been licensed because there is no license plate on them. They have to be registered and insured just like automobiles to meet the definition of street legal. (Yep, saw one just this morning, again. They were crossing CR101 - no license plate anywhere, just a sign "Street Legal".)