I think that some folks are rushing to get from point A to point B and gates being broken, are the end result. I've seen several instances where someone was trying to get through, when the first driver activated the gate without activating the gate themselves.

There might be a problem when driving at night, as we all don't see as well at night, as we should.

I'm sure some might be alcohol related.

I am amazed at how many time the Southern Trace gates have been broken. It is a double gate so someone must be talented to take two gates out, at the same time.

Fortunately, things get repaired pretty fast!

Alcohol is my guess too.

Although, seeing how some drivers still can't figure out how to navigate the roundabouts, or get totally flustered with them...it might also be caused by those who maybe shouldn't be driving because of their age or loss of skill.





I've noticed the same thing at some of the other gates also.

One of the things I think would help, is that if every gate had enough room at the end of it to allow a golf cart to go around without stopping to flash a card/hit the little red button.

Some of the gates are set up that way and it's been my personal observation that traffic moves smoother in those locations. :shrug:

I think the gates are fine.

A year or two ago, the Belvedere Gate was changed from free access for golf carts to a system where each cart must stop to scan a card or hit the button. So it seems that The Villages is moving in the other direction.

Many gates used to be set up just that way, but they were in violation of federal law. There used to be room for carts to drive by the end of the gate arm. But the arms had to be extended. Now, only bikes can squeeze by. I think they cut off the damaged end and reattach the arm, so some are shorter than others, but still prevent carts from passing through.

What 'federal law' dictates how long a gate to a public road has to be?

Sorry, law was not the proper word. Regulation would be better.

However, the Federal Highway Administration has the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices that spells out requirements for signs, markings, and other things used to control traffic flow, including gates. Years ago, there was a question about a gate and guardhouse installed at the entrance to a single family subdivision. It was referred to the FHA who deemed the gate should be consistent with MUTCD, which specifies that the gate arm must extend across the lane sufficient to not allow traffic to pass by the end of the arm. Florida DOT adopted the MUCTD. As a result, the gate arms had to extend far enough that vehicular traffic, which includes golf carts, could not pass by the end of the arm.

Do you by any chance have a link/article on where/when this happened?

Due to my former life, I am pretty familiar (albeit, not an 'expert'...which I'm not sure anyone could memorize all of it) with MUTCD.

To the best of my recollection, nowhere does it state that their regulations apply to gates going into public housing areas.

They cover the gate requirements for at-grade RR crossings, movable bridges, toll areas, Automated Flagger Assistance Devices (AFAD's), Etc........but obviously someone here took it upon themselves to try and include the reg's to cover what exists in TV.

I still say that leaving enough room at the end of the gate for carts would be a big help and I seriously doubt that FDOT (which doesn't cover county roads anyway).....would have a problem with such. :shrug:

I have attached a link to correspondence between the City of Tampa and FHA regarding whether a guardhouse and gate into a subdivision qualifies as a traffic control device and is subject to MUTCD. It agrees with your statement that the regulations specifically apply to railroad crossings and the like, but interprets the regulation to apply to this case.

Interpretation Letter 8-66(I) - Resources - FHWA MUTCD

From the FHA MUTCD site:
Q: Does the MUTCD apply to all roads and streets in the United States? A: Yes. In Title 23 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 655.603 states that the MUTCD is the national standard for all traffic control devices installed on any street, highway, or bicycle trail open to public travel.


From the Florida DOT site:

To comply with this statute, the Department has adopted the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD)


From the AAC minutes of the May 12, 2010 meeting:

In regards to the entry gates
the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTC
D) effective January 2011 will be adopted by
Sumter County and the Town of Lady Lake. Staff has
not been able to receive confirmation from
Marion County at this time. The MUTCD states that
a gate arm shall completely block a lane of traffic
except for a 24 inch opening for pedestrians; howev
er, in some instances the pedestrian opening may
increase to 36 inches. The District will comply wi
th the MUTCD which will require all vehicles,
inclusive of bicyclists, motorcycles and golf carts
, to stop at the gates to utilize their gate card o
r the
push button. Mr. Wartinbee advised the MUTCD also
requires alternating 16 inches of red and 16
inches of white tape on the gate arms which Staff w
ill apply manually.

If you need more, I suggest Google. I'm done.

Nahh, your statement below is good enough for me.

Someone simply chose to interpret/apply the regulation to neighborhoods such as TV....not that it legally applies.

Excellent. Now that's better.

Let me offer my appreciation too Mikeod.

Very few of us make the effort to do the research when questioned on something we said and even less have the ethics, integrity and honesty to post links that contradicts what we originally stated.

Your willingness to do both, tells me that you're probably a pretty straight shooter and whether we agree or not...you have my admiration for that. :thumbup:

I also understand how a locality, who's not actually under the jurisdiction of MUTCD, would choose to adopt some of their guidelines.

And although TV has not chosen to abide by all of the guidelines of MUTCD (specifically in regards to striping/signage of our MMP's)...that is a subject that could support at least a couple of threads on its own.

So anyway, once again, I do appreciate your honesty, work and ethics/integrity. :ho:

There are some who want to blame alcohol on everything bad that happens in TV. Unfortunately, if they did a bit of research, they would find that alcohol was NOT involved in the majority of accidents (car or golf cart) in TV. But that wouldn't fit their agenda.

Naw. I blame age. All those Boomers Booming around.:D:thumbup::highfive:

I tend to think it is a combination of things.

One other reason would be some people not familiar with the road they are on and get confused. I know I had to jam on the brakes at night, as I never saw the gate at Boone Ct . Fortunately, I stopped in time.

To blame alcohol as the only reason, is showing a bias for those, that do drink.

As we get older, some people are less sure of themselves, when operating a vehicle. Driving at night in TV is a lot different, than during the day.

BTW - I have never damaged a gate.