A few days ago I approached the paradise gate and one cart was starting thru the gate as one was behind trying to tailgate thru and yelling to then to hurry the #$@& up. The tailgater start to get scraped. As he went up the street he had to pass the other cart. My guess is he was late for an anger management class. Some people here are just so impatient.

They have cams at the gates and I'm sure it's to record drivers just in case they knock down a gate. As I understand it ,if they can prove its your car which did the damage, they will make you pay for the repairs. Just in the last few days I have seen two different gates knocked down. Kind of stupid that someone can't wait a few seconds for the gates to open properly.

morons behind the wheel

I was golfing at Redfish last Thursday and an ambassador took out the white lane pillar.....oh my

There are several reasons the gates get ruined so often. First and foremost, people are stupid and impatient. Also there are many people who travel through the gates that are unfamiliar with them, ie. snowbirds, visitors, poor driving because of age or alcohol or just careless. And then those who just don't care about anything because no one in The Villages ever has to be accountable for anything. People here will do anything they want to do because no one ever stops them.

The gate-breakers may also be the same people who back out of their garages while their screen is down. ;)

I don't think anyone would intentionally go thru the gate and damage it and their car. It is very easy when you are not used to a gate or perhaps the sun is in your eye. They should have flashing light on the gates or stop signs.

:a20:

:censored: Ouch! I did that once but never ran into a gate yet. Accidents do happen.

There should be a nice, visible sign posted at every gate that states something to the effect, "Surveillance cameras in use, YOU are responsible for any costs to repair any damage to gates incurred by YOU".

In the short time I've been there, I have noticed some really bad drivers in TV that seem to drive :loco:.

"Gate-busters" are the same ^%$**&^'s who don't know how to operate turn signals or navigate the traffic circles. And just watch them backing out of parking spots at the grocery stores --absolutely no concern for anyone other than themselves.

I know one entertaining thing that demands their attention at the gates though: Leaving rather slowly as you go through the gate does not allow the "tailgaters" to follow while it's up. Not unusual to get a one-finger salute when they've been forced to stop and wait for the gate to re-open, like ordinary people do. Then, simply set your cruise control to the speed limit and watch them fume! Also temporarily effective on contractors who probably know better but can't be bothered by rules. Who says entertainment is expensive at The Villages? (Flame suit on!)

The gate that enters Pinellas by the Winn Dixie has been broken a couple of times. For a year it would open without a card while the construction was going on. So from time to time I would forget to use the card and go too far. Looping around that opening before the gate and after the reader takes no time. I don't think I always noticed the little turn around opening when I first came to the villages.

I don't have a garage screen. But I'd be lying if I said haven't walked into a screen on the way to outside at other peoples houses.


Maybe that's reason enough for me not to buy a garage door screen.

I need all the practice I can get for when St. Peter tries to stop me.

And I thought I was the only one that thought and enjoyed this sport!