[Bryan]

I read all the posts so far. As to the "slippery slope" theory -

As to the "If it ain't broke, don't fox it" theory -

As to the "Transport of last resort" theory -

As to the "Let a bad idea die a natural death" theory -

As to the "Let it go away quietly" theory - but please let it go away faster!

[swrinfla]

with Bryan.

Yes, it would be nice to slow down the speeders.

Yes, it would be nice to keep the underage grandchildren from driving. Note: it should be easy, too. You can't nor would you let them drive your automobile. (I hope!)

But, aren't we all over-regulated as it is? And, I do NOT mean just Villagers.

SWR

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

This was brought up (I guess as a joke) in another thread, but it poses an interesting point of discussion.

What would be wrong with a registration process and proof of ability to drive for all golf carts operating in the Villages? Perhaps the registration would be free or minimal cost.

What are the pros and cons of a mandatory registration. I know there are people adamantly against it, I'm curious why?

The possibility of losing the registration would likely discourage people from allowing their underage grandchildren to drive. It would keep people who are no longer physically able from driving.

I presume that you also include every golf cart in the country that is operated. Shell we restrict by age? Free this year, $50 next?

TH, You have too much time on your hands. I still remember the last idea you had.

Yoda

PS As to your 2 pros, Not much gain for the freedom lost, don't you think?

[Talk Host]

Originally Posted by Yoda

TH, You have too much time on your hands. I still remember the last idea you had.

Yoda

What idea was it that has you rolling on the floor laughing?

[Talk Host]

Originally Posted by SteveZ

Knowing that the day will come when my drivers license will need shredding, having the ability to get around via golf cart was one of the reasons why we picked TV as the "end of the rainbow."

#2 will probably be a matter fixed by natural selection.

I guess you are saying that when a person becomes so incapacitated that they have to shred their drivers license, that it's still okay for them to drive a golf cart. When exactly should an incapacitated person stop driving a golf cart? Who shall make that decision?

Item #2. I hope that the natural selection of these underage drivers doesn't come at the hands of an innocent driver into whose path they veer.

[TrudyM]

Would a required golf cart drivers safety course when you get your initial permanent ID fill the bill? It could include an overview on the use of roundabouts as well. I don’t know if this exists but if an orientation to using the cart paths and negotiating the roundabouts was given I would take it first week I was down.

[Muncle]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

Nowhere in my post did I "ask for it." I brought it up for discussion.

When I was a kid, we had to register our bicycles and purchase a purchase a license.

Yeah, TH, but remember back then bicycles had just been invented and there probably weren't two dozen of them in your entire state. You and Butch. . .

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnIoBTLElNA[/ame]

[Irish Rover]

This is really a good post. TH, you definitely have put something out there that has stopped the political stuff for a little while. When a community is designated as a "golf cart" community, there should be rules. Why should someone who couldn't pass a drivers test be allowed to drive another type of vehicle (golf cart) which is equally as dangerous. I think the issue will boil down to "whose ox is gored". If you are the one who is wronged by a driver who isn't competent for whatever reason, then you will howl the loudest. If it hasn't bothered you yet, then let the good times roll. Moving to TV isn't a license to endanger others. Not trying to p__s anyone off, just playing devil
s advocate.

[downeaster]

Originally Posted by TrudyM

Would a required golf cart drivers safety course when you get your initial permanent ID fill the bill? It could include an overview on the use of roundabouts as well. I don’t know if this exists but if an orientation to using the cart paths and negotiating the roundabouts was given I would take it first week I was down.

I think it does exist. In fact it did because I attended a such an orientation and got a sticker to attach to my golf cart windshield to prove it. It coverd golf carts and roundabouts.
I believe such orientations are announced in the Daily Sun. The information number at the VCDD should get an answer for you when you get down here.

[downeaster]

I think TH has a point here. I have heard many Villagers say we should be required to register golf carts so why not "talk" about it here? I didn't see where TH suggested it and reading between the lines gives no clue where he stands on the subject. All he seems to be looking for is a yea or nay.
My response is nay. I see little benefit.

[katezbox]

But please, no golf carts on the roundabouts (or rotaries as we called them in Mass)...

[shazam]

Originally Posted by downeaster

I think it does exist. In fact it did because I attended a such an orientation and got a sticker to attach to my golf cart windshield to prove it. It coverd golf carts and roundabouts.
I believe such orientations are announced in the Daily Sun. The information number at the VCDD should get an answer for you when you get down here.

Attended a VHA meeting last nite where the sheriff spoke about the stickers. They were done away with awhile ago. He indicated there is something similar that's being discussed, but the stickers no longer exit.

[SteveZ]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

I guess you are saying that when a person becomes so incapacitated that they have to shred their drivers license, that it's still okay for them to drive a golf cart. When exactly should an incapacitated person stop driving a golf cart? Who shall make that decision?

Item #2. I hope that the natural selection of these underage drivers doesn't come at the hands of an innocent driver into whose path they veer.

1. There's several people I know who can comfortably and safely operate a golf cart who have realized that they should not be behind the wheel of something weighing a ton or more and moving between 25-70MPH. There's no appreciable difference between operating a golf cart and a hoverround, as long as the golf cart isn't "souped up." That's why we have separate roadways for the carts. It's the folk who consider their golf carts the same as midget racers who are "inconvenienced" by those who operate their carts at other-than-full-throttle. This is TV - what's the rush?

2. It will happen, and then the grandparents will of course blame everyone other than themselves. One thing is for sure - you just can't legislate away stupidity. I saw a tee-shirt the other day with the saying: The difference between Genius and Stupidity is Genius has its limits.

[djl8412]

I personally feel that mandatory cart registration and insurance is coming down the road anyway. Right now, with all I have seen and heard, many individuals feel entitled to drive their carts without using turn signals, overloaded with passengers, child operators, wreckless operation and intoxicated operators. There have also been carts abandoned and/or broken down and left in hazardous positions with no way of knowing who the owner is. IMHO there needs to be more responsibility to the owners and those they allow to operate their vehicles. Let's not overlook the many serious injuries and fatalities that have occurred involving golf carts. On top of it all, The Villages is still growing and so will the number of carts.

[dillywho]

Originally Posted by SteveZ

1. There's several people I know who can comfortably and safely operate a golf cart who have realized that they should not be behind the wheel of something weighing a ton or more and moving between 25-70MPH. There's no appreciable difference between operating a golf cart and a hoverround, as long as the golf cart isn't "souped up." That's why we have separate roadways for the carts. It's the folk who consider their golf carts the same as midget racers who are "inconvenienced" by those who operate their carts at other-than-full-throttle. This is TV - what's the rush?

2. It will happen, and then the grandparents will of course blame everyone other than themselves. One thing is for sure - you just can't legislate away stupidity. I saw a tee-shirt the other day with the saying: The difference between Genius and Stupidity is Genius has its limits.

Steve, as usual, you bring a little common sense to the thread. My husband no longer drives but is very capable with the cart. He doesn't drive because if he has to go outside TV, I have to go since he has problems communicating. If I have to go anyway, what's the point for him to drive. (Yes, he does have a license.) Within TV he goes everywhere, very often alone, and knows shortcuts that I wouldn't think about. He's an avid golfer and knows the best routes to the courses so he usually drives when we play together. Our cart is set at 19.6 mph which is plenty. For those that feel the need to go faster.....plan ahead and leave earlier. Simple solution.

I thought this idea of registration (within TV only) was for a means of identifying carts to be sure #1 that they are Villagers who pay for the paths, etc., and #2 as identifiers on the courses, for instance, since so many look alike or in the event of thefts, etc.