[Talk Host]

This is Easter week and there are thousands of visitors in the Villages. This is one of the times of year that otherwise protective, clear thinking grand parents put their little ones in harms way. Many little children are being allowed to drive golf carts on the streets of the Villages this week. While many would never consider allowing such a dangerous practice, many do. As we all know, driving anything on or near public streets is a major responsibility requiring mature care and judgment.

Please, when driving this week, assume that every golf cart you see is being driven by a precious little child. I for one could not live with myself if I was in any way responsible for the injury or death of my grand sons, or the grand children of anybody else. These permissive grand parents, just like the little children driving, are not exercising clear judgement. Allowing them to drive a golf cart on the street or cart path is no different than allowing them to drive a car or to play in traffic.

[nONIE]

Thankyou for putting this VERY IMPORTANT reminder out there. I have seen many young people out there driving golf carts this past week and we all need to be very alert and aware of them whether driving our carts or cars.

[redwitch]

I almost hit one of the little darlings Sunday evening. A teenager was driving the cart, two other boys were riding with him. While the cart was moving, the two passengers jumped out and started running around the cart. The youngest jumped right out in front of my car! Had I been even going the speed limit, I would have hit him. Unfortunately for the kids, I had the top off the car and was able to ream them all quite well. I did get a chagrined apology from the driver.

So, definitely timely advice. Thanks for the reminder.

[Sidney Lanier]

My wife has actually yelled at adults (more often that not people who look like grandfathers) who have little kiddies driving golf carts, in some cases actually out in the streets (that is, not in parking lots). I admit to being a little timid myself about taking on someone who might be a nut case and go ballistic, but I admire her willingness to do this. Evidently there's no one in authority who can use that authority to do something about this. Too bad....

[Hyacinth Bucket]

I know what you mean about kids driving golf carts. I have already spoken to one parent about the hazards of letting a minor drive the golf cart and that it is illegal.

The streets in TV are public thoroughfares - and are governed by the same laws as any other road in the county.

I was nearly hit by a golf cart driven by a young kid - probably under 10 years old, and the grandparent just smiled apologetically.

If I see someone driving a cart illegally I have no problem expressing my concern and also informing them of the number of fatalities and injuries due to improper driving of a golf cart.

Well since I am letting off steam, the other thing about this that really upsets me is they are setting an example for the minor of not obeying the law.

All of the above IMHO.

Hyacinth Bucket

[SteveZ]

For the life of me I will never understand how so many people can get soft-in-the-skull when grandkids are involved. I lost count of how many GCs I've seen this past week - 2 passenger GCs - with 3, 4 and 5 people onboard. There were many with a youngster in someone's lap while the GC was whipping along at its max speed, going through tunnels, over the LSL bridge, and merged among full-size cars. Wilder still were those with the youngster controlling (???) the steering wheel with the ditsy grandparent smiling as the GC veered left-right-left.

The grandparents who think it's cute for the kids to play with the GCs among the public, or to overload the GCs to the point where there is no reaction capacity or visibility - these folk will be the first to cry when the kids get hurt and say "I never thought this would happen - why wasn't the OTHER person watching out for my grandkids!"

At our ages we are supposed to be able to demonstrate some quantum of wisdom. How about starting by acting like adults and saying "NO" when the kids want to run around in the GCs? Maybe they'll live a little longer, not get hurt on their visit, and life will be safer for everyone.

Oh yeah - the overloaded GCs. If yours doesn't have enough seats for everyone, $100 rents one for a few days if you need an extra rather than looking like the Beverly Hillbillies coming to town. That's less than the cost for 4 hours at Disney, and if the company can afford to come here, $100 should be in the budget for safety. Oh yeah - that could make things safer, but its better to be cheap than safe...

[Talk Host]

I couldn't believe my eyes Thursday evening. A four passenger golf cart, grandma and grandpa sitting in the back seat (facing backwards of course) and little Johnny was driving and littler janie was riding shotgun. Full speed. This is nutz. :realmad:

[Hyacinth Bucket]

Hi, we went to the yard sales at Bridgeport this morning. No children driving golf carts or cars - just people rushing to get to the next sale - not looking when they pulled out into the road, what side of the road they were on or who or what they may hit.

I should also mention there was a policeman on a motorcycle doing a fantastic job keeping the cars moving, making sure people were not blocking intersections, etc.

He deserved a PLATINUM metal. :#1: :#1:

HB

[samhass]

My neighbor said a woman drove up over the curb and across a yard to get through one traffic jam in here this AM. I'm glad it wasn't my yard. I'd have been very ticked.