[Harry Gilbert]

I'm going to try and be delicate with this topic but that's not my strong point.

I've read multiple threads about cart accidents either solo or with another cart/car and the general consensus is it's either rude people, people in too big a hurry, souped up carts, inexperienced snowbirds and my personal favorite people from NY,Mich or (fill in the blank)

One thing is missing though all the threads and this is where it gets delicate, Nothing is ever mentioned about drivers in TV that shouldn't be driving anything faster than a shopping cart. Whether it is poor eyesight, slowed reflexes or just it's time to let someone else drive.

So my question to you is. Am I reading too much into this or did I just commit a big no-no and mention that elephant in the room that no one talks about?

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Harry Gilbert

I'm going to try and be delicate with this topic but that's not my strong point.

I've read multiple threads about cart accidents either solo or with another cart/car and the general consensus is it's either rude people, people in too big a hurry, souped up carts, inexperienced snowbirds and my personal favorite people from NY,Mich or (fill in the blank)

One thing is missing though all the threads and this is where it gets delicate, Nothing is ever mentioned about drivers in TV that shouldn't be driving anything faster than a shopping cart. Whether it is poor eyesight, slowed reflexes or just it's time to let someone else drive.

So my question to you is. Am I reading too much into this or did I just commit a big no-no and mention that elephant in the room that no one talks about?

I think it is less "dementia" and more "no sense, ya."

[Graytop]

Originally Posted by Harry Gilbert

I'm going to try and be delicate with this topic but that's not my strong point.

I've read multiple threads about cart accidents either solo or with another cart/car and the general consensus is it's either rude people, people in too big a hurry, souped up carts, inexperienced snowbirds and my personal favorite people from NY,Mich or (fill in the blank)

One thing is missing though all the threads and this is where it gets delicate, Nothing is ever mentioned about drivers in TV that shouldn't be driving anything faster than a shopping cart. Whether it is poor eyesight, slowed reflexes or just it's time to let someone else drive.

So my question to you is. Am I reading too much into this or did I just commit a big no-no and mention that elephant in the room that no one talks about?

I'm glad you brought it up,....yes, there are those that shouldn't be driving cars or golf carts because of poor vision, poor reaction time, etc....the elderly, like anyone else, should be tested periodically to see if they are still fit to drive.

Unfortunately some that have lost their driving priviledges with cars just go jump in their golf carts and continue to jeopardize other peoples safety. It is a problem...., and one that hopefully is dealt with by other family members or the County Sheriff! There does come a point when people need to relinquish the keys for the safety of others,....exactly when that takes place is "the sticky question" and it's different for everyone.

My wife is an optician and often sees people come in that should not be driving anything but they still do....

[ajbrown]

Originally Posted by Harry Gilbert

I'm going to try and be delicate with this topic but that's not my strong point.

I've read multiple threads about cart accidents either solo or with another cart/car and the general consensus is it's either rude people, people in too big a hurry, souped up carts, inexperienced snowbirds and my personal favorite people from NY,Mich or (fill in the blank)

One thing is missing though all the threads and this is where it gets delicate, Nothing is ever mentioned about drivers in TV that shouldn't be driving anything faster than a shopping cart. Whether it is poor eyesight, slowed reflexes or just it's time to let someone else drive.

So my question to you is. Am I reading too much into this or did I just commit a big no-no and mention that elephant in the room that no one talks about?

I have been walking daily and cutting back on Yuenling black and tan, so if this elephant in room thing is directed at me, I am offended .


To respond to your post, it may/will generate lots of opinions along the lines you have expressed. In the end there is seldom a way to know in each case unless the facts/citations are known, and I for one never seem to get that information.

Disclaimer: snow bird, big tires on cart, MA driver.....

[jcgolfs]

Not one of my strong points either, Harry. I belong to a large golf group of which we trade the driving of carts. After the first ride with some of my fellow golfers, I always drive afterward. They seem to understand without being told the obvious. One person asks me to drive his cart when it's his turn saying he'd rather ride than drive. Some of the things that bother me are: jerky turns, turning left from right hand path instead of merging to car lane, not respecting walkers and bike riders, too fast in congested areas and just not paying attention to their driving. Driving fast in open uncrowded areas does not bother me.

[ilovetv]

When you see a neighbor, relative, acquaintance or other person driving who is not fit to drive, and if nobody seems to be taking away the keys, there is an anonymous/confidential way of reporting this to the state motor vehicle department.

From the motor vehicle site:

I am very concerned about an elderly family member's ability to drive safely. He lives alone in Florida and we live in another state. We have received numerous calls from concerned neighbors advising us of near accidents when he's been driving. Who can help us?

The Division of Motorist Services is very interested in your concern. Any physician, person or agency who knows of any licensed driver's or applicant's mental or physical disability to drive or need to obtain or to wear a medical identification bracelet is authorized to report this to the DHSMV. The report should be made in writing giving the full name, date of birth, address and a description of the alleged physical or mental disability of any person over 15 years of age that could affect the driving ability. Form #72190 may be used to report these concerns. These reports are confidential and shall be used only to determine the qualifications of the individual to operate a motor vehicle on Florida's highways. No civil or criminal action may be brought against any physician, person or agency for providing this information.


Official Website Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

Sentinel article with more about the whole subject:
State is taking more Floridians off the road as state ages - Sun Sentinel

[Harry Gilbert]

Originally Posted by ilovetv

When you see a neighbor, relative, acquaintance or other person driving who is not fit to drive, and if nobody seems to be taking away the keys,

We have actually had to deal with this a few years ago. My Father in law was legally blind and stubborn about his driving. the State actually had to pull his license before he killed somebody. Personally I would like to see at least an eye test with every license renewal regardless of age.

[Graytop]

Originally Posted by ilovetv

When you see a neighbor, relative, acquaintance or other person driving who is not fit to drive, and if nobody seems to be taking away the keys, there is an anonymous/confidential way of reporting this to the state motor vehicle department.

From the motor vehicle site:

I am very concerned about an elderly family member's ability to drive safely. He lives alone in Florida and we live in another state. We have received numerous calls from concerned neighbors advising us of near accidents when he's been driving. Who can help us?

The Division of Motorist Services is very interested in your concern. Any physician, person or agency who knows of any licensed driver's or applicant's mental or physical disability to drive or need to obtain or to wear a medical identification bracelet is authorized to report this to the DHSMV. The report should be made in writing giving the full name, date of birth, address and a description of the alleged physical or mental disability of any person over 15 years of age that could affect the driving ability. Form #72190 may be used to report these concerns. These reports are confidential and shall be used only to determine the qualifications of the individual to operate a motor vehicle on Florida's highways. No civil or criminal action may be brought against any physician, person or agency for providing this information.


Official Website Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

Sentinel article with more about the whole subject:
State is taking more Floridians off the road as state ages - Sun Sentinel

Great post !....thank you for that information....

[VillagesFlorida]

According to many web sites, The Alzheimer's Disease Research site among them, 1 in 8 people age 65 and over have Alzheimer's disease. That number jumps to 1 in 3 at age 85 and you can imagine what the numbers look like for those of us in our 70s. Looking at these facts, a conservative estimate as to the number of folks here who are in some stage of Alzheimer's would be around 11,000, at the 1 in 8 percentage. Many of us fall in the 65-85 year-old category so 11,000 is a very conservative number. These numbers only represent Alzheimer's, not other forms of dementia. We are sharing the roads, cart paths and roundabouts with people who may not know where they are or where they are even going. My father died from Alzheimer's, and before my mother took over the driving he would get lost and try to get off the highway at wrong exits, among other scary behaviors. The fact is we don't know the health of our fellow drivers. We live in a community of older folks, some of whom who may not be all that well. The miserably angry person who yelled at you for no good reason may be at that particular stage of Alzheimer's. Yes, there is an "angry" stage" for many who suffer from this horrible disease. The driver in the golf cart or car who cut in front of you may not have been able to understand that you were even there. And, don't even get me going on the issue of how those among us, who suffer from any form of dementia, can possibly navigate the roundabouts. My father spent a part of one night in my house trying to get out of the kitchen/dining room/living room area. He kept going in circles and banged his head on a cupboard in the process. I dread to think what might have happened had he been driving a car.

[aln]

Just drive defensively, cautiously ... and ... smile and wave at the rude ones after you let'em go!

[The Village Girl]

I forgot what this thread was bout......

[Graytop]

Originally Posted by The Village Girl

I forgot what this thread was bout......

Pwaaapfffft!!!

[Happinow]

Funny you should mention this. Just last night I told my husband that I was afraid to drive on busy roads like Morse Blvd in a cart. I'll probably only go places where the cart path is separate from the roads, which I expect will limit where I can go. I will drive my car to other places. This brings me to this....I think it's pretty sad that seeing that we will live in such a beautiful place, with such a unique way to get around, that we can't take advantage of it. I saw some near misses this past week while driving around. Between the cars, carts, people, bikes and what ever else, it was a challenge (to say the least) to get from point A to point B. I would think that this cart idea should have been planned out a lot differently. Cart paths off the roadside should be the only way carts can travel, not in a lane along side the main road, like a bike path. I saw a cart pull out into the busy road just to pass a cart ahead of them. That caused multiple cars to swerve and thus having to avoid a possible accident. Things just don't seem right to me for this well planned community. But, I do LOVE TV!!!

[Graytop]

Originally Posted by Happinow

Funny you should mention this. Just last night I told my husband that I was afraid to drive on busy roads like Morse Blvd in a cart. I'll probably only go places where the cart path is separate from the roads, which I expect will limit where I can go. I will drive my car to other places. This brings me to this....I think it's pretty sad that seeing that we will live in such a beautiful place, with such a unique way to get around, that we can't take advantage of it. I saw some near misses this past week while driving around. Between the cars, carts, people, bikes and what ever else, it was a challenge (to say the least) to get from point A to point B. I would think that this cart idea should have been planned out a lot differently. Cart paths off the roadside should be the only way carts can travel, not in a lane along side the main road, like a bike path. I saw a cart pull out into the busy road just to pass a cart ahead of them. That caused multiple cars to swerve and thus having to avoid a possible accident. Things just don't seem right to me for this well planned community. But, I do LOVE TV!!!

...you definitely have to navigate with eyes in the back of your head,...whenever my kids or other relatives are here to visit I always warn them about all the bikers, carts, walkers, etc. and to "BE CAREFUL"! out there....

Visiting teenagers driving around on golf carts is another issue which I'm sure has caused much debate and conversation on the forum before.....

[dillywho]

Older age is not often the factor....most times, not. It is the total disregard of others. Cases in point:

High speed through roundabouts...the speed is 20, not 35 - 45. Many are service vendors. Some are "The Villages" cars. For the most part, these people are not old. Some are just Villagers or visitors.

Stops signs are NOT decorations...you are supposed to STOP, regardless of whether you are on a bicycle, in a car, or a cart or whatever age you happen to be. I have actually been honked at for stopping at a stop sign. I was also honked at for not pulling out into the intersection on a yellow caution light to make a left turn after waiting for the traffic coming straight across in front of me from the other direction to clear. The lady behind me would have had to totally enter the intersection on red to turn after me if I had pulled out. This was at 466 & Southern Trace. She followed me on 466 to Buena Vista and then turned in at Laurel Manor....musta been late...shoulda left sooner. She was not old.

The trash collections trucks come through our neighborhood like Grant took Richmond on their way to the dump, next route, or whatever.

There's lots more, but you get the picture.

What doesn't get done today will keep until tomorrow....if we try and ensure that there is a tomorrow by slowing down and/or obeying traffic laws. Give everyone a chance to at least get old or older, whichever.

Putting my soapbox away now. Thanks.