[George Bieniaszek]

My wife and I were golfing with another couple last year and we got to talking throughout the round and she stated that she works for an opthomologist and is amazed as to how many people in The Villages are legally blind or near blind that still drive their cars or golf carts.

That is scary !!! I think I may have to use my golf cart less and start driving my Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel truck more in The Villages!!

[crummybuttons]

They also put their blinkers on and never turn them off. Why? Because their DEAF! I'd go with a taser myself....

Originally Posted by BobnBev

I was crossing the street today, at LSL, by Panera Bread. I was half way across, in the crosswalk, when this old,AND I DO MEAN OLD,man in a golf cart almost hit me. He never slowed down. I screamed at him, but he never flinched or even acknowledged that I was there. I think I'll buy a paint ball gun.

[JoeC1947]

Originally Posted by janmcn

There are currently no laws in Florida requiring a license to operate a golf cart on public ways. If you think this should be changed, contact your FL legislator. The FL Legislature will be commencing their annual session soon.

I don't think the law should be changed. I want to be able to get around when I lose my vision too.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by crummybuttons

They also put their blinkers on and never turn them off. Why? Because their DEAF! I'd go with a taser myself....

Now Crummy. Hearing loss is not a character weakness.

But, grey hair, baldness, wrinkles and wearing glasses, now they are character weaknesses.

[chas.cooper]

Watch where you walk!

[skyguy79]

Originally Posted by janmcn

There are currently no laws in Florida requiring a license to operate a golf cart on public ways. If you think this should be changed, contact your FL legislator. The FL Legislature will be commencing their annual session soon.

I don't necessarily disagree with you... in part at least, but if you think legislating a solution to the problems being discussed here is going to do much to change things, think again!

As I've mentioned before, I worked for the NYS Dept. of Motor Vehicles for most of my working years, and several of them were as a non-adjudicating District Enforcement office manager dealing primarily with registration and driver license suspensions and revocations. Although I have no statistics to back me up, the general belief of our driver improvement analysts, as well as myself, was that a majority of motorists that lost their license continued to drive anyway.

In my office my desk was positioned where I could easily view the parking lot, and numerous time I would see those that were suspended or revoked leave our office, get into their cars and drive away. There were also numerous suspensions for failure to answer a summons that was issued for unlicensed operation.

The most memorable instance was where I had a motorist sit with me for about 45 minutes, described in detail how his life was going to be virtually ruined if he didn't have his license. Of course there was nothing I could do but be courteous and listen to him. When we were through, he thanked me for at least listening. He then left the office, walked to his car in the parking lot where I saw him getting in his vehicle and driving off!

Now, if so many who still drive after losing their license and/or privileges, what would make you think that even more who haven't lost those privileges would pay any attention to whatever new golf cart restrictions were enacted and continue to drive anyway? In IMO, and past experiences, legislative actions would add up to little more than an exercise in futility. On the other hand, seeking legislation could increase some revenues for the government, but will it be enough to cover the increase in governmental expenses. Personally, I doubt it!

[BobnBev]

Originally Posted by Golfingnut

Could you clarify the almost in almost hit me? i.e. how many inches or feet. Sorry, but before I blame the OLD MAN, I need more facts.

Sure, no problem. He was within 12 inches, and 12 inches at 20mph is well within my comfort zone. It's not like I didn't see him coming and walked out w/o looking, I always look before crossing. I sure don't see why he was speeding in such a congested area. Maybe he was going to see if there was "P" in Lake Sumter.

[BobnBev]

Originally Posted by chas.cooper

Watch where you walk!

You got that right. There is dog poop everywhere.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by BobnBev

You got that right. There is dog poop everywhere.

Yup. A lot of dogs and a lot of old people.

Ain't it nice?

[Ceafolks]

Originally Posted by redwitch

Gracie .. maybe the posse should start standing at crosswalks and take aim at those who are aged challenged (that better?) to get their attention? While we're at it, how about t-shirts that say "there's no Pee in Lake Sumter" (thanks njbeachbum for the oh-so-wonderful idea)?

I want one of those tee-shirts....make that two.

[skyguy79]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

Yup. A lot of dogs and a lot of old people.

Ain't it nice?

Poop from dogs and old people?

[capecodbob]

Originally Posted by Harleyman

I learned not long after we started coming to the Villages that it is not safe to cross any crosswalk in the Villages unless my eyes are locked into the eyes of the driver of the vehicle or golf car coming towards me. People are so in la la ville that they just don't pay attention to the crosswalks. I really believe that it is more dangerous to cross a walk in Lake Sumpter than it would be in downtown New York city (although I have never been in downtown New York city.

You need to visit. I'm sure it will change your mind.

[dkrhardy]

I have not been posting here much, but this one caught my eye. I have had waaaay too many close calls while IN a crosswalk. Old eyes or not, the FL state law is that a pedestrian, IN a crosswalk, has the right of way. It is the law. I am not saying that anyone should step out when there is a car close by, that is not a good idea.
Don

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by sjdjmd

My husband and I decided to go for a drive this evening in our golf cart. As we were waiting for the oncoming traffic in all lanes to clear at Old Mill Road, a golf cart pulled up behind us, and the guy kept yelling...Go! Go! He obviously couldn't see all of the traffic. When we got to the driveway at Arnold Palmer, he started yelling again even though he obviously couldn't see the cars and motorcycle that we were waiting on. Finally, my husband pulled over, and as he roared around us, he was still yelling. A very sad, dangerous situation.

Sorry to say he saw the traffic. However what he was looking for was to be an eyewitness to an accident and you were it.

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by George Bieniaszek

My wife and I were golfing with another couple last year and we got to talking throughout the round and she stated that she works for an opthomologist and is amazed as to how many people in The Villages are legally blind or near blind that still drive their cars or golf carts.

That is scary !!! I think I may have to use my golf cart less and start driving my Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel truck more in The Villages!!

George: The only time I use my golf cart is when i golf and i only pay a couple times a week. Lately I have been walking so I drive my car to the course. I was never that interested with using my cart as a second vehicle.