Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 2302262)

Maybe. On the other hand, 6 pages and no sign of the OP returning to the thread.

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2302152)

Something mental happened to people after Covid. They started driving faster and often going through stop signs. I am NOT surprised that pedestrians are in danger on the multi-use paths. During Covid, the roads had less traffic so drivers got used to speeding and reckless driving. They are STILL doing that. Police need to take charge and take back both roads and the multi-use paths.

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 2301901)

We can file that statement with the other often cited but completely wrong "cars always have the right of way"

First of all, the law does not state who has the right of way, it specifies who must yield the right of way.

Second, the reason a golf cart must slow or stop until it is safe to pass is the same reason a car must slow or stop before passing a slower vehicle. If an e-bike going 20 encounters a cart going 15, the e-bike will be the one to slow or stop until it is safe to pass. If a world class runner encounters a slow bicycle, the pedestrian will be the one to slow or stop until it is safe to pass. No entity ALWAYS has the right of way, I wish people would stop posting that nonsense.

Originally Posted by Triker (Post 2301749)

The Villages descriptions of a multi modal path includes sharing with pedestrians.

Can someone please explain to me why the majority of golf carts do not want to share the path with pedestrians or bicycles. It’s not that difficult.



From the villages website.

Share the Path

"Who is allowed to use the multi-modal paths throughout The Villages?” This is a question that the District receives on a regular basis. The multi-modal paths are for use by NON-AUTOMOTIVE traffic such as bicycles, golf carts, pedestrians and skaters. It is not legal…nor is it smart…to drive vehicles such as smart cars, motorcycles, or mopeds on any of the multi-modal paths in The Villages. For additional information, please click on the header of this announcement to read a memo from District Counsel regarding the use of multi-modal paths.
Effective July 1, 2013, The Florida Legislature amended FS 319.14 to allow the conversion of a Low Speed Vehicle (LSV) to a golf cart. For additional information on the process of converting a LSV to a golf cart, please click on the following link: Low Speed Vehicles.

Originally Posted by jimbomaybe (Post 2302309)

"
First of all, the law does not state who has the right of way, it specifies who must yield the right of way."
Right of way is implicit in that statement , you are to yield the right of way to someone who has a greater claim to it , right of way certainly and of course does not mean you are certainly right in your actions , a whole host of factors can contribute to the how and why of any accidental encounter ,an accident with serious results oftimes end up being put under a microscope in criminal /civil proceedings to determine who did what and what percentage of "blame"

Originally Posted by nick demis (Post 2302380)

Sorry to disagree with your misconception. Golf cart drivers have nothing against pedestrians of bicycles. What they disapprove of is pedestrians that walk on the wrong side of the path or walk abreast when a cart approaches. As for bicyclist. there are too many of them that think they own the mmp's. Maybe some consideration on their part would go a long way. What is worse yet is the golf cart drivers that think the whole world has to wait for them. If you are going slower than someone behind you be courteous and put your directional on, slow down and let them pass you. worst yet is the driver that holds you up and then when you try to pass them, they speed up. You would think age brings wisdom, but it doesn't appear to be the case for drivers, both gold cart and automobile, in the villages.

Originally Posted by nick demis (Post 2302380)

Sorry to disagree with your misconception. Golf cart drivers have nothing against pedestrians of bicycles. What they disapprove of is pedestrians that walk on the wrong side of the path or walk abreast when a cart approaches. As for bicyclist. there are too many of them that think they own the mmp's. Maybe some consideration on their part would go a long way. What is worse yet is the golf cart drivers that think the whole world has to wait for them. If you are going slower than someone behind you be courteous and put your directional on, slow down and let them pass you. worst yet is the driver that holds you up and then when you try to pass them, they speed up. You would think age brings wisdom, but it doesn't appear to be the case for drivers, both gold cart and automobile, in the villages.

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2302255)

I did hear about ONE (only one in a long time) fine for an altered governor in a Golf Cart. Technically, I'm sure you are correct about no actual Villages Police. I remember years ago seeing Police officers at the Squares, so I guess that I assumed that The Villages NEEDED a quick reacting Police Force because of the combination of older, easily manipulated residents that have money or jewelry on them. Plus the alcohol consumption would make them vulnerable to pick-pockets and car thieves and etc. That was just logical to me.
........I still don't see the point of changing pretty flowers every few months on the round-abouts. I often see pot-holes stay unfixed for many weeks. To me, there seems to be more concern with looking nice and impressive. Yet, maybe, the Police are completely lacking. I can't even see how that could be possible. My home town in Pa. had 60,000 residents when I grew up and on Saturday and Thursday when the town businesses stayed open until 9 pm. Beat Policemen were walking the streets and checking parking meters and just maintaining order and a presence. And there was almost zero crime back then, yet the Police seemed ready to handle any emergency. The US steel mill there may have provided a lot of tax money for Police.
........The Villages has smarter residents and better homes on average than my home town. Maybe I am wrong, but just on face value, it seems to me that Village residents are not as safe because of the Police as I would expect. The fire department and ambulance capability seems pretty impressive. I just don't see many Police vehicles.
......... Call them Village Police or county Sheriffs or whatever? I hope that I am wrong if a real disaster ever happens.

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter (Post 2302412)

Technically? No actually. There is no Villages police force.

Your assumption that a quick acting police force was needed……was wrong.

Flowers are changed by the District, potholes are fixed by the county. ???

“Yet maybe police are completely lacking” . What are you basing this statement on?

You say real disaster. What do you mean?

Your post, to me, is just a lot of fear.

Originally Posted by Velvet (Post 2302407)

Yes, it’s silly I know, but sometimes the slow cart drivers speed up, not to irritate the passing cart, but because they just realized they were going too slow. In any case, they should let the cart pass easily. Same sometimes happens on the highway with cars.

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2302158)

I do it that way. Big deal if I have to walk on the grass sometimes as the carts pass. The grass does NOT bite.

Originally Posted by Bill14564 (Post 2302419)

At least part of the time the fault is with the perception of the person attempting the pass. My wife recounted an incident just recently where a cart was following closely behind her down one of the diamond lanes. The cart finally pulled out to pass but was taking a long time to get by. While they were in the process of passing, a car came up behind them and the driver expressed his displeasure that the cart was blocking the driving lane.

Perhaps to the driver of the other cart it seemed like my wife had sped up as he attempted to pass. That was certainly not the case as she, like most others, drives with the pedal on the floor. The other driver thought she was going to slow, thought he was much faster, and perhaps thought she sped up but all were incorrect.

Of course, the other happens too, but it is not always the case.

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 2302427)

OK, that could happen. But in reality, the other 99,99% of the time the cart or car IS going too slow. So, if it speeds up, it is violating 316.083 sec 5

Originally Posted by Bill14564 (Post 2302419)

At least part of the time the fault is with the perception of the person attempting the pass. My wife recounted an incident just recently where a cart was following closely behind her down one of the diamond lanes. The cart finally pulled out to pass but was taking a long time to get by. While they were in the process of passing, a car came up behind them and the driver expressed his displeasure that the cart was blocking the driving lane.

Perhaps to the driver of the other cart it seemed like my wife had sped up as he attempted to pass. That was certainly not the case as she, like most others, drives with the pedal on the floor. The other driver thought she was going to slow, thought he was much faster, and perhaps thought she sped up but all were incorrect.

Of course, the other happens too, but it is not always the case.

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter (Post 2302412)

Technically? No actually. There is no Villages police force.

Your assumption that a quick acting police force was needed……was wrong.

Flowers are changed by the District, potholes are fixed by the county. ???

“Yet maybe police are completely lacking” . What are you basing this statement on?

You say real disaster. What do you mean?

Your post, to me, is just a lot of fear mongering.

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2302188)

This subject has gone for 5 pages. So, that shows reasonable interest. Some subjects end up only 1 or 2 pages long. Plus this subject involves SAFETY. New residents might want the opinions of veteran residents on the safety of the MMPs. Many people responding thought that it was a SINCERE question.

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 2302427)

OK, that could happen. But in reality, the other 99,99% of the time the cart or car IS going too slow. So, if it speeds up, it is violating 316.083 sec 5

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580 (Post 2302448)

Where isit written that carts are to be driven "pedal to the metal"?
I your scenario, the cart that thought he could pass obviously couldn't since he was already traveling at max speed. His impatience put both at risk of exactly what happened. Never pass unless you are sure you can do it quickly and safely.
Secondly. While your wife had every right to continue without varying her speed, by not slowing down when someone tries to pass, she showed poor judgment from a safety standpoint. She could have easily taken foot off the accelerator for a few seconds to let "Mr/Ms Foolishly Impatient" get past.
This was a case where both parties showed poor judgment. Immho.

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580 (Post 2302457)

99.99%? Really? I think you might be a wee bit high.
What is "going too slow"? Slower than someone with a souped up cart? Someone slowing down to make a turn or negotiate a curve or some other obstacle?
"Too slow " is a matter of opinion. The opinion of one who wants to go fast. Re-think 99.99%, please.

Originally Posted by Topspinmo (Post 2302455)

The last 20 posts about same subject went 5 pages or more with same opinions.

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 2302465)

Rethought it. 99.98% :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

Originally Posted by kansasr (Post 2302471)

We need a new category here "Topics that have been beat to death, but someone new has an opinion."

Originally Posted by Raywatkins (Post 2302285)

In 8 years only 4 incidents.
I misjudged an overtake in my cart. Apologies to the other cart for the near miss.
A cart came round a bend too fast on a wet surface and came across my side. I had to brake hard and slid round in almost a 180. No apology.
Twice on my bike i strayed a bit too far over towards the middle and got overtaken too close by a cart.
Seems like we all make the odd mistake. Perhaps a bit more understanding and tolerance is needed.

Originally Posted by Bill14564 (Post 2302461)

I disagree. I am, in fact, entitled to maintain speed and continue traveling regardless of whether someone is attempting to pass or not.

Nowhere is it written that one must drive "pedal to the metal." What *is* written is that golf carts can travel at a speed not to exceed 20mph. In the case of my cart, "pedal to the metal" does not exceed 20mph and is therefore a perfectly acceptable technique.

Except for two very specific cases, my driving technique is not dictated by the driver behind me. If someone feels they should pass me then let them. I will not increase my speed, that is illegal and unsafe, but I am under no obligation to decrease my speed either. If the driver attempting to pass misjudged, the responsibility for correcting that misjudgment sits with him, not me.

Two specific cases: 1. If I am in the leftmost lane and a faster car is approaching from behind then I must move to the right. 2. If an emergency vehicle with lights or siren is approaching from behind then I must pull to the nearest curb and stop.

Obvious: I must take all necessary actions to avoid an accident. However, I am under no obligation to assist another driver in correcting his mistake.

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580 (Post 2302509)

If you re-read my post, you will see that in essence we agree.

Originally Posted by kansasr (Post 2302471)

We need a new category here "Topics that have been beat to death, but someone new has an opinion."

Originally Posted by jimjamuser (Post 2302451)

What I mean by a real disaster is if the gun violence we see on TV every week came to The Village. Suppose 2 shooters killed 20 people at one of the squares. And if that did happen, it would prove that I was NOT wrong about the need for some kind of fast acting Police force. I don't care if they are called Sheriffs or Police force as long as they react quickly and keep people safe around The Villages.
..........There are also a lot of high tech Police equipment - like drones that could improve safety in The Villages.

Originally Posted by Bill14564 (Post 2302521)

I see that now. I overlooked that sentence.



Tough sometimes to tell the difference between being courteous, being a sucker, and being an enabler.

Originally Posted by Triker (Post 2301749)

The Villages descriptions of a multi modal path includes sharing with pedestrians.

Can someone please explain to me why the majority of golf carts do not want to share the path with pedestrians or bicycles. It’s not that difficult.



From the villages website.

Share the Path

"Who is allowed to use the multi-modal paths throughout The Villages?” This is a question that the District receives on a regular basis. The multi-modal paths are for use by NON-AUTOMOTIVE traffic such as bicycles, golf carts, pedestrians and skaters. It is not legal…nor is it smart…to drive vehicles such as smart cars, motorcycles, or mopeds on any of the multi-modal paths in The Villages. For additional information, please click on the header of this announcement to read a memo from District Counsel regarding the use of multi-modal paths.
Effective July 1, 2013, The Florida Legislature amended FS 319.14 to allow the conversion of a Low Speed Vehicle (LSV) to a golf cart. For additional information on the process of converting a LSV to a golf cart, please click on the following link: Low Speed Vehicles.

Originally Posted by Vermilion Villager (Post 2302570)

Didn't we just do this last week?:rant-rave:

Originally Posted by Velvet (Post 2301796)

Just now: going south on MMP to Colony cottage, in sharp turn cart is coming at me in my lane, behind him another cart, in my lane. Both are trying to get by a recumbent bicyclist struggling with the hill. I looked to see if there was any room to swerve - no - curb etc looked behind me, no one, so applied brake forcefully. We passed each other, practically touching mirrors. The carts were obviously frustrated with the slow moving vehicle to take such a chance.

Originally Posted by Girlcopper (Post 2302668)

So? That part of life in the Villages. Share the path and have patience or stay off it

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 2302705)

Here's the bottom line on MMPs as I see it:

The only time any issue can arise is when a faster entity wants to pass a slower entity. This is a natural consequence of mixing golf carts and e-bikes that are doing 20 (+), bicycles that are riding anywhere from 5-20, and pedestrians at 3-4.

Since these are narrow 2 "lane" paths, a faster entity will often encounter a slower one. There is nothing wrong with passing the slower entity SAFELY. This means pass on a straight section with good visibility of oncoming traffic, giving enough room, and not passing when approaching a blind curve. It is also incumbent upon the entity getting passed not to speed up or doing anything else to impede the passing vehicle. All too often there are "parade leaders" that want to be first at 15 mph but don't want to be passed. We see it all the time on roads with cart lanes as a cart will speed through a stop sign cutting off an approaching cart and then lollygag at 14 mph. It is also incumbent on pedestrians to walk single file when getting passed, although ideally they should walk facing traffic. And cyclists need to move to the right side of the path rather than trying to dictate where and when they will "allow" a faster vehicle to pass---they are not traffic cops, no matter what they think.

But finally, and most importantly, IF IT IS NOT SAFE to pass, be patient, you will get an opportunity. Yes, you may lose 30 or 45 seconds, but save a life, possibly your own, in the process.