[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

What do you propose as an alternative? Instead of just toughing it out, can the golf cart simply plow through because the pedestrian is not following the rules? Is there a third choice?

Pull around them on the grass, then drive ahead of them at 1-2 mph. Every time they split to try and pass, punch it.
Or lay on the horn till they let you by.
Always keeping a big smile on your face and waving, friendly like.

[fdpaq0580]

Always remember, and Never forget, Everyone else on the road is a complete moron. For your own survival, drive accordingly!

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by frayedends

But you incorrectly feel that you have the right of way. You do not. You can play chicken with the intent of avoiding them. One slip of your hand (easy in the golf carts I've driven) and you hit them by accident. Just listen to what everyone is telling you. If you come across a bike or walker, just steer clear.

Yes, the steering and suspension on a golf cart are designed for the golf course, not narrow asphalt MM Paths.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Laker14

I drive the MMPs and I walk them. When I am walking, which I do facing traffic, and I see a cart starting to give me a little more room than the absolute minimum space necessary to avoid sending me to the hospital, it is a comfort to me because it communicates to me that I have been seen and that the driver will avoid me. Likewise, when I am driving the MMP, and I see a walker coming my way, I return the favor. It's just a courteous thing to do to let the pedestrian know he/she has been seen and will not be hit.

When I'm driving my car on a roadway with a cart lane, and there is no oncoming traffic, I give the cart a little extra room. Doesn't cost me a thing, and makes life a little more comfortable for the cart. And, heaven forbid, should the cart driver's attention waver a tad, the extra 2 feet may be a life saver.

I encourage you to try to be a little more courteous. It won't cost you a dime and may avoid an accident.

I agree. And I wonder how many walkers walk 2 by 2 and how many were dark colors versus bright yellow. And I notice many bike riders that wear black and gray clothes. Some that I know should know better, but maybe they are doing it for fashion? I wonder how many die each year in the whole US wearing black (FOR FASHION) . What a way to go!

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Velvet

I’d probably either expect the walkers to move, since they are more vulnerable, or I come to a dead stop and see what the walker and sometimes their dog, is going to do.

Good point about their DOG.That is another variable to consider.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

Odell Circle has sidewalks on one side of the roadway, right next to the MMP. That is where a pedestrian was killed when walking in the MMP. The woman was walking with a couple of friends and there was no room for her on the sidewalk as they walked abreast. She walked in the MMP and was hit by a golf cart.

There is that walking 2 by 2 situation. And you add in, not paying attention, and you have problems.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

I am not sure any of these posts have answered the OP's question regarding men vs women. Personally, I think that men are more courteous drivers than women.

I agree that the men versus women drivers is the most interesting for me. I also wonder who realized that speeding and drunk driving increased during and after the Covid Pandemic.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by TeresaE

Here it is in Black and White.

Applicable sections

FS316.212(2)(e) Golf carts and utility vehicles may operate on sidewalks adjacent to state highways only if such golf carts and utility vehicles yield to pedestrians and if the sidewalks are at least 5 feet wide.

FS 316.212(8)(a)3. The ordinance restricts golf carts to a maximum speed of 15 miles per hour and permits such use on sidewalks adjacent to state highways only if the sidewalks are at least 8 feet wide

This means that if I’m walking towards a golf cart on a MMP on the left facing traffic and you the cart fails to yield to me, even if I’m coming straight at you and stop directly in front, the law says the golf cart driver is at fault. It’s the same thing as a crosswalk. If you hit me you’re wrong. I may be “dead right” but you’re still wrong in the eyes of the law. And ignorance is no excuse.
The end.


Statutes & Constitution
:View Statutes
:

Online Sunshine

MMPs aren't sidewalks. The regulation doesn't apply to MMPs.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by MX rider

Your dirt bike trail analogy doesn't work at all here.
I still mtb, ride motocross and ride trails. I also have SxS back in Indiana.

The mmp are a different animal completely. Hence the name, mmp.
Bottom line, a golf cart is a motorized vehicle that can easily kill a pedestrian.

We're really over analizyng this, it's not that hard. It just makes sense to follow common rules of the road on the mmp. Then we can all enjoy using them.

Sure. Common rules of the road:

Pedestrians shouldn't walk on the streets, it's dangerous.

Oh hm - this is an MMP we're talking about. So scratch that common rule of the road.

Another rule: Cars and trucks should yield to pedestrians. But wait - this is an MMP we're talking about. Cars and trucks don't drive on those. Never mind that one.

Motorcyclists should wear helmets. Except on an MMP, where they're not allowed to be driving anyway.

Pedestrians should stay near the edge of the road, and not walk in the path of traffic. That's a good one. Let's adopt it.

Anyone trying to pass a pedestrian should avoid hitting the pedestrian in the process. I like that one too. It's a keeper.

So we have two take-aways: Pedestrians need to avoid being so myopic and stupid that they're easy targets for uncaring golf cart drivers, AND golf cart drivers need to avoid being so myopic and stupid that they'd ignore a pedestrian in their way and hit them.

How's that?

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by MollyJo

Hopefully no walking group would act so clueless, but if one did, you could simply stop your cart & they are forced to walk around you. Sometimes silence speaks volumes…

If they're going the same direction you are, and you're coming up from behind them (because they're stretched across BOTH SIDES of the MMP) - then no, you can't pass them. And you're stuck driving 2-3mph in a 20mph zone.

I had an experience with a bicycle rider that I mentioned awhile back, who was going at a reasonable pace for a bicycle (somewhere between 8-12mph), but slow enough that I wanted to pass them with my golf cart, at 18-20mph. But every time I tried to speed up to get around him, he would speed up to prevent me from doing so. It's dangerous to be crossed into the opposite lane for more than a few seconds at a time.

Yes, there really are people like that living in the Villages.

[spinner1001]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

Maybe I should revisit what I said........if a walker is walking on the right side and NOT facing the traffic then, of course, they cannot see me approaching them. Then, I WILL swing wide to avoid hitting them However, when a walker is walking facing the traffic and can see me approaching, they had better hop onto the grass and out of my way. Having said that, there have been times when a walker, facing the traffic, will play chicken and I will always give way to the stupid ones. Remember walkers........you will NOT be the victor when confronting a vehicle that will certainly hurt or kill you. Get our of the way!!!!!!!!

She doesn’t realize that if she actually hits a pedestrian on a MMP and later a lawyer or prosecutor links her to her @coffeebean TOTV handle, they will use her writings in this thread against her for legal remedies. For a civil case, the link might increase comparative negligence and result on higher damages from her writing these things. A jury would likely not be sympathetic to @coffeebean for her writings. For a criminal case, intent to harm (assault). A jury would determine intent based on the evidence before them. I can’t predict the legal outcome but her writing these things isn’t too smart. The internet is forever.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by jimbomaybe

A MMP is not a "roadway" , Multi Modal Path , pedestrian, pedalcyclist, golf cart limited to 20mph

20 MPH ???????? What about the 50 % that have their speeds jacked up to 30 plus MPH ? That IS a very FIXABLE problem, just real enforcement.

[bsloan1960]

Originally Posted by Hape2Bhr

Curious, where are the roundabouts that allow golf carts on them?

We have several. We use the Water Lilly Bridge which has one on both sides. There are also a couple leaving Brownwood heading toward Eisenhower and toward Lake Sumter.

[frayedends]

Originally Posted by spinner1001

She doesn’t realize that if she actually hits a pedestrian on a MMP and later a lawyer or prosecutor links her to her @coffeebean TOTV handle, they will use her writings in this thread against her for legal remedies. For a civil case, the link might increase comparative negligence and result on higher damages from her writing these things. A jury would likely not be sympathetic to @coffeebean for her writings. For a criminal case, intent to harm (assault). A jury would determine intent based on the evidence before them. I can’t predict the legal outcome but her writing these things isn’t too smart. The internet is forever.

This is a very good point. I bring up the same thing in some gun discussions. Usually a thread about an intruder or something similar. There will always be a gun guy that says "I don't ask questions, I shoot the bad guy." I point out that the internet is forever and lawyers will use this kind of talk to prove the shooter was not in defense of their life, but was intent on shooting people. If you are going to break the law, then posting about it is a bad idea.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by msilagy

I belong to the Village Walkers and we walk 6 miles twice a week. Many of our routes can be for a time along a golf cart path. I have noticed the opposite - the women tend to slow down and couples, but men go flying by. Now this isn't always the case but seems more prevelant. Sometimes I yell slow down if they whiz by 10-12 walkers single file. It speaks to their courtesy and caring for others or not!

Women versus men have traditionally filled the "caring and nurturing professions" such as school teacher or nurse. And men have been the warrior / animal killers. That could explain part of the man versus woman driving patterns. But, there is probably more to it.