[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by billethkid

A common sense, not in a hurry, patient driver. That solves 98% of the problems/issues.

Yep. And all those safety features on all our various vehicles and travel-ways are designed to help that very driver stay safe.

[Mleeja]

Has anyone checked out the article in the on-line news source today? Interesting article with lots of information. Monday's meeting should be exciting. I'll be there. Will you?

[skip0358]

Yea read the article. Driver awareness is the biggest problem period. Changing the size of the tires, they're sold that way. Going over 20 MPH is done by the buyer not the provider. Even when the cart goes in for service they have to now make sure the speed is set at 20 mph and it's written on your service order. How FEW driving slow down when approaching a jogger or obey the 3 foot rule when there's a biker. Or the golfer who hangs his towel off the bag and covers the brake and directional lights. Best is when there are 2 bags and both lights are covered. How few observe the 10 mph over the bridge, hell I got passed on the bridge a few weeks back. JMO

[billethkid]

Originally Posted by skip0358

Yea read the article. Driver awareness is the biggest problem period. Changing the size of the tires, they're sold that way. Going over 20 MPH is done by the buyer not the provider. Even when the cart goes in for service they have to now make sure the speed is set at 20 mph and it's written on your service order. How FEW driving slow down when approaching a jogger or obey the 3 foot rule when there's a biker. Or the golfer who hangs his towel off the bag and covers the brake and directional lights. Best is when there are 2 bags and both lights are covered. How few observe the 10 mph over the bridge, hell I got passed on the bridge a few weeks back. JMO

Now we are getting to the real issues that make the MMP unsafe.
The striping will do absolutely nothing to reform these major contributors to unsafe conditions on the MMP.

[JCMSr]

While driving on the MMP yesterday morning on the way to our tee time we were following another cart as we approached the curve near where Buena Vista intersects 466A. Suddenly a cart came up behind us and tried to pass both of us in the curve. Suddenly there were two more carts driving in the opposite direction that ended up slamming on brakes and swerving off the side of the path to avoid a head on collision. This was very close to a five cart pileup had the other four drivers not been paying attention. Just another example where no amount of striping would have helped avoid this situation. The offending cart was obviously going over 20 mph. Had I not been so shocked I would have gotten his tag number (yes he had one) and reported him for reckless driving. Guess nothing can be done to fix stupid!

[tomwed]

Originally Posted by JCMSr

While driving on the MMP yesterday morning on the way to our tee time we were following another cart as we approached the curve near where Buena Vista intersects 466A. Suddenly a cart came up behind us and tried to pass both of us in the curve. Suddenly there were two more carts driving in the opposite direction that ended up slamming on brakes and swerving off the side of the path to avoid a head on collision. This was very close to a five cart pileup had the other four drivers not been paying attention. Just another example where no amount of striping would have helped avoid this situation. The offending cart was obviously going over 20 mph. Had I not been so shocked I would have gotten his tag number (yes he had one) and reported him for reckless driving. Guess nothing can be done to fix stupid!

Did you report it to the data collectors?
On my bike I ran off the road on a blind curve to avoid an accident at the same place. I also saw an accident there, or the results while playing at Turtle Mound. My gut feeling is that most of us have been in close calls on MMP blind curves. Striping would not help, maybe a mirror would? I don't know.

Further down on BV there is a blind curve around Pinellas. I think if they cut the bushes down, it wouldn't be blind. I'm biking that way later to see a football game and I'll check.

I wish there was a pin point map that did point out the danger areas on the MMP. I wonder if TOTV would be a good place to submit the data? Moderator, can you help?

[JCMSr]

No I did not report this incident because as I said you cannot fix stupid. Our cart is equipped with a speedometer and we were driving at 19 mph just before we were passed so it was obvious that the culprit was driving above the legal speed of 20 mph on the MMP. Oh and since he had no golf clubs on his cart he was not late for his tee time either.

As to using mirrors I ask you this. If you were driving on a city street would you consider passing someone on a blind curve? I certainly hope not! You would most likely stay in your own lane and then pass when conditions were safe. This idiot decided to pass not one but two carts at the same time in a corner and just before a tunnel entrance/intersection. It was amazing that everyone reacted in time and I commend the other drivers for their defensive driving skills. I also comment them for the eloquent use of the English language in expressing their displeasure to the guy that was in such a hurry. I think I learned a few new words.

[tomwed]

Originally Posted by JCMSr

As to using mirrors I ask you this. If you were driving on a city street would you consider passing someone on a blind curve? I certainly hope not!

In all situations I only pass on a straight away. I'm not stupid.

My point is that blind curves are inherently dangerous and whenever possible be modified.

I don't know if that blind curve can be fixed so you can see the stupid people coming in the wrong lane.

The mirror suggestion is like the mirrors installed on the end of some tunnels. You get a chance to see if someone is coming on your blind side. I don't think that will work. Someone may come up with a more defensive strategy.

[JCMSr]

tomwed.....I certainly was not referring to you in my previous post! In this particular location the blind curve happens to be a very long gradual curve and a mirror would only cover a small portion of the area. Mirrors are great at intersections (such as tunnel exits) where you need to see if anyone is coming before you stick your nose out. I doubt that a mirror would be helpful in the area where this incident occurred just because of the angles required for drivers to be able to see someone coming from the opposite direction would be so wide. Most drivers, thank goodness, have better sense than to try to pass in such locations but there are always the privileged few that feel that their time is more valuable and do not want to be slowed down by things like laws, regulations or common sense thereby endangering those that are willing to proceed with care.

[tomwed]

Originally Posted by JCMSr

tomwed.....I certainly was not referring to you in my previous post!

no problem
I was looking for a MMP map so I could see where you almost had an accident and found this accidently.

Village Community Development Districts

Golf Carts vs Gate Arms

This has nothing to do with striping but I think it makes your point about others making stupid decisions and driving defensively because you never know. These are just the videos of people breaking the Delmar gate.

It makes me wonder how safe it really is out there. This is real data collecting.

[morriewayne]

I go all over in our golf cart, and when the sun goes down and it is dark u cannot see the edge of the paths, we need edging for safety sake. My word lets get with it, people.

[OldManTime]

Originally Posted by virgind

Some one please tell me why the side stripping of the golf cart paths have to be done. Thats an expence that is a waste of money.

It is so when one is driving drunk, in the dark, they can follow the stripe..

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by OldManTime

It is so when one is driving drunk, in the dark, they can follow the stripe..

A common misconception about who can see and who can't, and why!

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by OldManTime

It is so when one is driving drunk, in the dark, they can follow the stripe..

Well if they do put the stripe down it will at least give somebody a line to walk on for their sobriety test

[billethkid]

Originally Posted by morriewayne

I go all over in our golf cart, and when the sun goes down and it is dark u cannot see the edge of the paths, we need edging for safety sake. My word lets get with it, people.

I am in awe at how 98% of us have been able to do just fine for the last 15 years!!!