In all due respect apparently you do not travel before dawn or after dusk. I cannot tell you how many times these folks simply disapper because of oncoming headlights, shubs, dark clothing, bends in the road or cartpath, etc. And in addition we haven't even discussed the various distraction such as critters cutting out in front of you, etc.

Try locating a runner/pedestrian in a tunnel before dawn....Good luck with that ...they are simply coming out of nowhere. I blame The Villages because they know all of this because they designed it and yet they continue to ignore it.

Finally ask yourself this question: Would you design a multi-modal path that would place vehicles, bikes, pedestrian, etc together? I think it is madness

All very good points

Bigger wins !

Since the title of the thread contains "in the diamond lanes", I'm going to reply to your post assuming the walkers/runners you mention here are in the diamond lane.

How many times does it have to be stated here, that golf carts coming along at 19.5 mph in the diamond lane cannot just swerve out to the left and into the car lane to go around an oncoming walker, because there are cars and trucks BESIDE the golf car going 30 mph, and more are coming up behind those??

And the cart cannot just stop in the golf lane and wait for the walker to pass, because the cart will most likely get rear-ended and could cause a chain pile-up of golf carts!!

Walkers/Runners do not belong in the diamond lanes!! Period! Why do people think they can walk/run in 20 mph VEHICLE traffic??

Add to this a guy I witnessed jogging on Morse just north of Havana. The guy was heading north in the southbound car traffic lane and 20 to 30 feet to his left is a nice asphalt cart path. No diamond on this section of Morse. This occurred this past December on a very nice day at about 4:00 in the afternoon. Talk about taking his life in his own hands. But than again he was at least running towards the heavy traffic so I guess he thought it was okay. Not too bright.

VG

No comment.

There really aren't enough sidewalks. For example, along Woodridge Drive in Summerhill from County Road 101 and all the way through the neighborhood. Many people like to walk to Publix and the Southern Trace shopping center, and they have to walk on the road.

But I do think if you need to walk on the "golf cart" paths or Multi modal paths at night, carry a light and wear a reflective vest.

Diamond Lane
 

Interesting to note that the new 4 way STOP now in place at the intersection of Rio Grande and Del Mar has signs that instruct PED lane to merge with vehicle lane when approaching the intersection. They were put in place by the City of Lady Lake and they identify what many refer to as the diamond lane as the PED lane.

In areas of TV where there are no sidewalks I believe that it is wise to always yield to pedestrians in those lanes. If they don't step aside the golf cart should stop and wait for the pedestrian to safely go past. Believe that is what is intended in the FL Statutes.

I usually run in the direction of the traffic rather than against it because, in relation to the above points, it achieves two things.

For ease of understanding, assume I run at 10 mph and carts travel at 20 mph, then:

1 - carts coming up behind me can slow down but continue to travel at 10 mph until it is safe to overtake me. No need to swerve or stop.

2 - carts are approaching me at (20-10=) 10 mph rather than (20+10=) 30 mph so they have three times as long to see me and react accordingly.

You may prefer to run or walk facing the traffic but, as just one of many types of legal road-user out there, the above has worked for me for forty years of running.

I have to come back here after reading all of the comments here. I can see folks walking/running in the diamond paths "if" there are NO sidewalks. BUT that being said...the diamond paths aren't all that wide so EVERYONE needs to be mindful of one another.

I had a recent experience on a road that had both sidewalks and the path described. It's a fairly busy road with alot of car/truck traffic. I was in my cart and saw a couple approaching with one of them walking in the path and the other on the sidewalk (they were together). I had car traffic on my left so I slowed a bit hoping the street-walker person would move up on the sidewalk. I pulled to the left as much as I dared---there would be then enough room for the both of us without me being plowed by a truck or car. WHEN I was exactly next to this person, they SCREAMED at me and I nearly "jumped" in my seat. THAT wasn't very smart of them as the reaction I had very easily could have had me swerve and that could have been highly disastrous. SO this is an excellant thread. I guess my thought is, if there is a sidewalk and cart traffic then the walker or runner probably should move up ont he sidewalk til the path is clear again. Just my 2-cents worth.....

Cybermuda.....I know it may have been just an example, but if you are running at 10 mph I am very impressed. Keep it up.

Here is my 2cents....The problem is a general lack of sidewalks... I can speculate on the reasons, but more sidewalks are needed.....especially N of 441....I am sure Janet Tutt's staff is aware of this problem...How could they not be?

So as just not to b***h, I propose we request The Villages to build 2miles of sidewalks, each year. Where they are most needed and can be built easily, and will fit in with aesthetics of TV. I also suggest, that these sidewalks be designed with safe crosswalks.

I would be glad to work with anyone, who knows something like this is necessary.

Not sure if I agree with this. Think we have enough cement around us here.Leave everything the same,runners and walkers and cart paths are fine. Just be defensive....

...

I was rounding down from 12 mph :-)

Not!

Florida Law
 

(47) Sidewalk – That portion of a street between the curbline, or the lateral line, of a roadway and the adjacent property lines, intended for use by pedestrians.

Walkers and runners are pedestrians.


(28) Pedestrian – Any person afoot.

Pedestrians must use sidewalks when available, or must use the shoulder.


FS 316.130 – Pedestrians; Traffic Regulations

(3) Where sidewalks are provided, no pedestrian shall, unless required by other circumstances, walk along and upon the portion of a roadway paved for vehicular travel.

(4) Where sidewalks are not provided, any pedestrian walking along and upon a highway shall, when practicable, walk only on the shoulder on the left side of the roadway ….

Pedestrians may not leave a place of safety and walk into the path of a vehicle.


(8) No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle ….

Bicyclists may use the sidewalk, but must yield to pedestrians


FS 316.2065 – Bicycle Regulations

(10) A person propelling a vehicle by human power upon and along a sidewalk …. has all the right and duties applicable to a pedestrian ….

(11) …. shall yield the right of way to any pedestrian ….

Another related section of the Bicycle Regulations prohibits the use of roller skates on the roadway.


(12) No person upon roller skates, or riding in or by means of any coaster, toy vehicle, or similar device, may go upon any roadway except while crossing a street on a crosswalk ….

I have read and re-read this thread countless times. Being an indefatigable rule-follower I feel most comfortable knowing what the rules are and, well, following them. That frees my mind for other things. With our move to The Villages coming up very soon, I thought I'd brush up on the driving rules and ease into our new life knowing how to safely navigate The Villages. Looks like that isn't going to happen!!!!

Even you folks who have lived there for years can't agree on the right way to drive around down there. What the heck are us newbies supposed to do?! Are there classes? More classes? Armored golf cars? Seriously!

As much as I don't want to get hurt, I definitely don't want to injure anyone else. This all sounds just nuts to me. Tell me what to do and I'll do it. You Florida Coconuts!!!

Slow down, anticipate the other guy will not do what you expect and pay attention. You will be fine driving, walking or running anywher in The Villages.

We were visiting the Villages in July and more than once after dark driving our golf cart in the diamond lanes we encountered people walking. The smart ones were carrying a flashlight which clearly alerted cart drivers like us that they were in the cart lane as we were approaching. The others did not carry a light and were very hard to see at sometimes the last moments and some even wore dark clothes??!!??!!. We always drove slower at night than during the day just for that reason. Some people just don't always think logically it seems.

Amen.

But aren't there any driving classes? Don't the police offer anything? As a newbie, I'd love to sign up for one. Is anything offered in conjunction with the courses offered to new homeowners? I'm getting a little nervous here. I drove a huge school bus with 50 screaming kids for years and it didn't bother me. I was trained and knew what I was doing. But this.... Anticipate what the other person is thinking? How do I know the other person is thinking anything at all? :)

OK. I'll definitely do the very best I can. That's all anybody can do.

joaniesmom - these websites might be of assistance to you and hopefully will provide you less anxiety!

http://www.districtgov.org/community...Modal-Memo.pdf
http://www.districtgov.org/community...rtBrochure.pdf
http://www.districtgov.org/community...t-02-08-12.pdf
Village Community Development Districts - for all general info

Gee, thanks! I'll print these out tomorrow and start working on them. Looks like it's going to take a while! But I appreciate you sending them to me. It's a good start. When we came down for our Lifestyle Visit, my husband drove and we both constantly looked everywhere to try and drive safely. What an experience! But I'm sure with practice we'll get better.

Honestly, you will not need driving leasons. Lots of people exaggerate about driving carts, cars, bikes down here. It is very safe if you drive ,run or walk. just drive defensive and you will have no problem.Its not like walkers are everwhere in the tunnels at night jumping out at you. Trust me most walkers and runners are looking out for you the driver. Perfectly saffe here.

Time for Popcorn!!!!!!!:popcorn::popcorn::popcorn::popcorn:

Do not understand?

It's a joke started by others, when a thread goes on and on and on!!!! I always think it's funny when they cut in with the "Popcorn" stuff!!

Thanks for the explanation. I thought maybe I was being stupid. It wouldn't be the first time. I was just so traumatized when we were down there for our LSV. I didn't drive a foot!

Our CYV is a little isolated and I'll probably get in some practice time up there.

Still working on this, especially the roundabouts. Never have gone through one here.

Right lane = straight through or right turn.
Left lane = straight through or left turn.
Got it!

Why did I think this was so hard?

you go girl! doin' good so far! ya just hafta be sure, if you are in the left lane going straight thru that the car in the right lane knows it has to go right or straight thru - and NOT left around the circle so it can turn right in the village gate just up ahead!

we always use the car's turn signals when we enter circles - just to give those behind us fair warning! ;)

Why would you be traumatized driving in the villages? Do you drive a automobile and have a license. If so you will have no problem. If it was so bad on your visit that you did not drive a foot<I would suggest then you should not drive down here.

Guess what? There are signs at the entrance to each roundabout...........read the sign and drive that way. Just hope others read the signs too!

Nice job of selective “quoting” Cybermuda.

Nowhere in my original post did I “blame” the runner. I accurately described what took place. And in my follow-up post (#33), I specifically stated that I was at fault. That “near-miss” shook me up badly and since then I’ve been hyper-vigilant in looking out for runners/walkers/bikers, and I’ve warned my visitors to do the same. I don’t want to see anyone hurt, and that was the whole point of my original post.

Indeed you did, Skybo, and I apologise for not spotting that when I quoted your original post.

Thanks Cybermuda, and I opologise that my post was snarky.

An accident waiting to happen !