[downeaster]

Originally Posted by Figmo Bohica

Really does not matter if the cart has the right of way or the car/truck has the right of way. The smaller vehicle in any case is going to get crushed. Even if you, a cart driver has the right away, it is always best to look out for the bigger vehicle, right or wrong, the cart/motorcycle/smaller vehicle is the one that will be hurt.

Alwasy drive defensively, no matter what you are driving or who has the right away. Its better to give a little than to never arrive home.

I agree. Arguing points of law solves no problems. Knowing the law helps but there is no substitute for common sense. Big fish eat little fish and a golf cart is a pretty small fish.

[downeaster]

Originally Posted by GatorFan

Villages golf cart safety meeting 3rd Wednesday of month, Savannah Center.

Yesterday I was on Wedgewood coming from Walmart. Golf cart in front of me never stopped at stop signs and never slowed down. At Fresh Market, automobile actually hit brakes to miss him when he came through stop sign. He just looked forward and kept going.

As a frequent traveler to and from Walmart, I can assure you what you witnessed is not uncommon. In fact, when I stop at the stop signs on that route I feel there is a good possibility of being rear ended. Cars turning into those side streets can get to the intersection in a hurry.

[downeaster]

I believe the problem with golf cart and auto traffic ( maybe I should say golf cart vs auto) is getting more serious. I do not think the police, the Developer, or any of the authorities are willing to take any action. I don't think the HOA or the POA are willing to get involved. And the Daily Sun is not about to make an issue of it. I also believe what we see is the tip if the iceberg and it is only going to get worse.

The ones who will get involved are the insurance companies. When word gets out they may deny claims we may see some changes. When our rates go up due to their increased risks we may wake up.

Another player is The State of Florida. They approved The Villages as a golf cart community. They may step up and take some positive action.

Wouldn't it be nice if all involved got together, admitted there is a problem and then took positive action to correct it?

Last but not least, I think sweeping this problem under the rug can backfire. Someone is going to see a newsworthy story here. It wouldn't take a lot of effort to do some research and come up with a headline "Florida's Friendliest Hometown Also Florida's Least Safe".

[GeorgeT]

Originally Posted by Figmo Bohica

Really does not matter if the cart has the right of way or the car/truck has the right of way. The smaller vehicle in any case is going to get crushed. Even if you, a cart driver has the right away, it is always best to look out for the bigger vehicle, right or wrong, the cart/motorcycle/smaller vehicle is the one that will be hurt.

Alwasy drive defensively, no matter what you are driving or who has the right away. Its better to give a little than to never arrive home.

Perfect!

It seems that common sense is not so common now-a-days.

When I was a kid I stayed out or the way of the bigger kids. I do the same thing now.

[l2ridehd]

Everyone would agree that common sense should win. This accident was not about that as I understand it. The cart driver was going along the street in the golf cart lane. A landscape truck pulled to a stop sign and stopped.

Would you continue on and pass in front of the truck or stop in the cart lane and let the truck proceed? I would hope everyone would continue on so as not to stop all cart traffic on a main street. That would be really dangerous for many more people.

When the cart was passing in front of the truck, the truck took off and hit the card directly on it's side knocking it over onto the driver and he died.

So what common sense did the golf cart driver not exercise? How could he have prevented this? I was not there or did I see this accident. Only what I have read it appears this was how it happened. If it was something different then perhaps he could have avoided it by better defensive driving. If it did happen as I suspect, I think he had no chance to avoid being hit. Maybe the truck only did a partial stop, maybe he ran the stop sign, lots of what if's I am sure.

Is it reasonable to assume that a vehicle approaching a main street from a side street that has a stop sign, that they will stop? I would suggest that it is.

[getdul981]

I agree that there should be a MANDATORY golf cart operation class before anyone should be allowed to drive one. Also, NO ONE should be allowed to operate a golf cart without a valid driver's license. Half the golf cart routes are on public streets and no one should be operating a motorized vehicle on a public street without a valid license. In addition, I think all vehicless should be required to run with the lights on at all times. I don't know how this could be implemented, but these are just my opinions.

[GeorgeT]

Originally Posted by getdul981

I agree that there should be a MANDATORY golf cart operation class before anyone should be allowed to drive one. Also, NO ONE should be allowed to operate a golf cart without a valid driver's license. Half the golf cart routes are on public streets and no one should be operating a motorized vehicle on a public street without a valid license. In addition, I think all vehicless should be required to run with the lights on at all times. I don't know how this could be implemented, but these are just my opinions.

I like the idea of running with lights on. Motorcycles have to have the lights on.

[l2ridehd]

Running with lights on will significantly cut the range of electric carts. No idea by how much, but as the Villages increases in size and electric carts being less then perfect, this change might just eliminate them as a viable option.

[rubicon]

The rules of the Road apply to autos, golfcarts and bicycles. Accidents occur because someone did not follow the rules. They did not follow the rules either intentionally, because they were confused, unaware, distracted or simply not paying attention.

The best a golf cart operator can do is to follow the rules, use hand signal and when cart clsoures are down be sure you have adequate and readily seen front and rear mechanical signals. i have seen countless operators who allow golf towels to block their rear taillights

Frankly speaking some golf cart operators are so overly cautious that they create doubt for both themselves and other drivers. People who travel interstates realize this when they encounter reluctant drivers who are afraid to enter or exit from a ramp.

I don't want a street legal vehicle because of safety issues as well has higher insurance rates.

Finally we have some folks here who simply should not be driving be it a car or a cart.

Stay safe and alert out there

[r_foye]

The reality is that no segment of the driving population here at The Villages is not without fault. You have golf cart drivers that seem to think they have an invisible force field around their cart that protects them from harm. Auto drivers yakking on their cell phones as they drive thru the roundabouts. Delivery drivers and contractors all in a hurry to get somewhere. If the police decide to come out in mass to enforce traffic laws then they are accused of harassing the residents when they coud be catching real bad guys. There is also no way to mandate that drivers have to take a cart safety course. As far as The Villages is concerned it is not their responsibility to educate grownups on how to drive. The situation here involving vehicle vs cart accidents is NOT going to change and I submit as the population grows it will only get much worse. It is unfortunate but there is no way you can cure stupid or irresponsible driving behavior.

[Tbugs]

I really wonder what percentage of the golf cart drivers in The Villages have an insurance policy on their golf cart.

[katezbox]

Originally Posted by l2ridehd

Everyone would agree that common sense should win. This accident was not about that as I understand it. The cart driver was going along the street in the golf cart lane. A landscape truck pulled to a stop sign and stopped.

Would you continue on and pass in front of the truck or stop in the cart lane and let the truck proceed? I would hope everyone would continue on so as not to stop all cart traffic on a main street. That would be really dangerous for many more people.

When the cart was passing in front of the truck, the truck took off and hit the card directly on it's side knocking it over onto the driver and he died.

So what common sense did the golf cart driver not exercise? How could he have prevented this? I was not there or did I see this accident. Only what I have read it appears this was how it happened. If it was something different then perhaps he could have avoided it by better defensive driving. If it did happen as I suspect, I think he had no chance to avoid being hit. Maybe the truck only did a partial stop, maybe he ran the stop sign, lots of what if's I am sure.

Is it reasonable to assume that a vehicle approaching a main street from a side street that has a stop sign, that they will stop? I would suggest that it is.

L2,

I totally agree.

And for those who want a mandatory class - how would you propose funding, administering and enforcing it?

[Talk Host]

Unfortunately "common sense" doesn't work. If it did, there would be no laws on the books. Every law throughout history is because people don't use "common sense" in the day to day administration of their lives.

We can't rely on common sense to solve these tragic situations.

[The Great Fumar]

Originally Posted by getdul981

I agree that there should be a MANDATORY golf cart operation class before anyone should be allowed to drive one. Also, NO ONE should be allowed to operate a golf cart without a valid driver's license. Half the golf cart routes are on public streets and no one should be operating a motorized vehicle on a public street without a valid license. In addition, I think all vehicless should be required to run with the lights on at all times. I don't know how this could be implemented, but these are just my opinions.

I like it , great ideas except the part about running lights, takes to much juice for elec. carts....

fumar

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

Unfortunately "common sense" doesn't work. If it did, there would be no laws on the books. Every law throughout history is because people don't use "common sense" in the day to day administration of their lives.

We can't rely on common sense to solve these tragic situations.

We can't use it to solve crimes either.