[LndLocked]

The supreme irony of the complaints about congestion and population is equally laughable and sad. Ever wonder why ol time Floridians pretty much loath developments?

[Mikeod]

Originally Posted by CFrance

My husband and I went out separately today and both nearly avoided an accident in the roundabout at St. Charles and BV due to people going three-quarters around in the outside lane. I've never seen so many cars on BV coming north from 466A to that roundabout. It was impossible to keep people next to you from entering the roundabout at the same time you did.

So true. I went through the roundabout at LSL on Morse twice today and both times a vehicle entered the roundabout as I approached them. They stayed in the right lane (I was in the left lane.) But I couldn't know if they were going south or around the roundabout to go north, so it was very disconcerting.

In the first instance, the vehicle stayed in the right lane and went around the roundabout at Stillwater in the outside lane and into the Caroline gate. Fortunately, for me, that's where I was going so we avoided the dreaded T-bone.

But we've also noticed a decline in roundabout lane and entrance discipline over the last few weeks.

Also, crossing 441 at the lights at Griffin Road/Avenida Central today, I was in the left lane at the light with a car to my right. When the light turned green, the car to my right proceeded across 441 into the left lane cutting me off in order to turn left onto Rio Grande.

As Gracie said, drive carefully. It's getting to be the Wild West on the roads.

[janmcn]

Originally Posted by LndLocked

The supreme irony of the complaints about congestion and population is equally laughable and sad. Ever wonder why ol time Floridians pretty much loath developments?

And a lot of the complainers are the same people that just yesterday were saying that The Villages should continue expanding ad infinitum. What roads do they think the new arrivals will use, or what hospital emergency room, or what stores will these new residents shop at, or where will they golf or dine?

Ever since the Florida legislature repealed the decades old Florida Growth Management law in 2011, developers have no responsibility for new roads, or schools, or sewage treatment plants.

Wait until next year when we are giving a big Villages welcome to another four thousand residents in Fruitland Park, welcoming them to the Colony Publix, the golf courses, the restaurants, the softball fields, etc etc.

[kaydee]

To answer the question of the OP, no I have not heard anything about the accident on 466A.
To add my 2 cents worth regarding traffic... BLINKERS BLINKERS BLINKERS...and I wish vehicles would realize at some point that the golf cart lane is just that. Sounthern Trace is not a 4 lane highway!

[gadaboutgal]

I agree that traffic has become unbelievably congested this week. And it has grown and grown since we first moved here permanently 10 years ago.
But I, also, believe the traffic this week will settle down soon. Most of the snowbirds arrived in the last three days, and they have a lot of shopping and things to get for their homes here before they can settle in an just enjoy life. Here's hoping that by next week everyone will be engaged in a Village activity most of the days and not just traveling the by ways and highways.

[njbchbum]

Originally Posted by janmcn

Wait until you get down here, if you're not here already, and see the number of cars pouring out of the Stonecrest gate and turning south. Avoid that portion of 441/27 at all cost.

Historic area residents have more shopping available that is either golf cart accessible or a short car drive than any other area of The Villages; Target, Sam's, Home Depot, Lowe's, Beall's, too many to mention, with no need to drive far on public roads. Other sections of The Villages should be so lucky.

janmcn - am not there until next weekend and will surely add to the traffic on 441/27...but i don't mind that because it is so wide, it has traffic lights, it has separate turn lanes in places, it has any store i might need, it has lots of restaurants and it does not have roundabouts! That's another reason we bought on the historic side! We have found that it is sometimes shorter to take 441/27 up to 42 and turn left to get to mulberry!!!!! Except for weekend yard sales - don't have much reason to go south of 466!

[geri317]

I have always known that if there were a glaring negative about the Villages it would be the traffic on the roads and in stores during season. It's coming true!!!

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by geri317

I have always known that if there were a glaring negative about the Villages it would be the traffic on the roads and in stores during season. It's coming true!!!

Yes, but it's a glaring negative just about anywhere in FL during the season. We spent three months in Bradenton Beach and once February hit it was impossible to get anywhere around the Tampa-St. Pete and Sarasota areas in the horrendous traffic.

[cquick]

Originally Posted by CFrance

Yes, but it's a glaring negative just about anywhere in FL during the season. We spent three months in Bradenton Beach and once February hit it was impossible to get anywhere around the Tampa-St. Pete and Sarasota areas in the horrendous traffic.

yes, the traffic is bad in all the snowbird areas....my grandparents lived in Bradenton and we would go over to the beach,and the traffic was terrible on the road to the coast.

Just a fact of life. I am thrilled to have the winter residents here! 4 couples we know are here now...that means party party party

[billethkid]

Why is a discussion called whining by some?

[Barefoot]

Most seasonal residents have returned for the winter. Rental activity will be at peak for the next two or three months. The Villages has morphed into a big city! Restaurants will be crowded, traffic will be congested, and tee times will be harder to book!

But I bet the majority of us once lived up north.

Isn't it fabulous that we're all in The Bubble enjoying the absence of snow and ice!

[2BNTV]

Originally Posted by Barefoot

Most seasonal residents have returned for the winter. Rental activity will be at peak for the next two or three months. The Villages has morphed into a big city! Restaurants will be crowded, traffic will be congested, and tee times will be harder to book!

But I bet the majority of us once lived up north.

Isn't it fabulous that we're all in The Bubble enjoying the absence of snow and ice!

This thread makes me glad that I stayed home today, and avoided this accident.

I always drive defensively as I assume the other driver will do something unexpected and possibly cause an accident. I will always look out for them, as they usually look out for me when I make a mistake.

I noticed some drivers over react, before something becomes a crises type situation.

Hopefully, we can all share the road and be safe.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by billethkid

Why is a discussion called whining by some?

Who called it whining? To me this just sounds like a discussion.

[Ohiogirl]

as most of the coastal areas in Florida - have you ever sat in the 1-2 hour traffic jams to go one mile to the grocery store or a restaurant on Longboat Key or Sarasota or Ft. Myers? I don't even know what the east coast is like during the season.

And have those from cities forgotten what rush hour is like during a snow or ice event? Ugh.

I personally think they've done a pretty good job expanding roadways here such as 466, 466A and now 44. At least we have options - everyone isn't feeding onto the same roadway for everything. Plus, I find that if I hit the stores when they open and get home by noon, traffic is really pretty light. Even the Publix at Colony Plaza has some non-peak hours (early morning and about 6 pm) so if traffic and crowds really bother you, avoid the peak times.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Ohiogirl

as most of the coastal areas in Florida - have you ever sat in the 1-2 hour traffic jams to go one mile to the grocery store or a restaurant on Longboat Key or Sarasota or Ft. Myers? I don't even know what the east coast is like during the season.

And have those from cities forgotten what rush hour is like during a snow or ice event? Ugh.

I personally think they've done a pretty good job expanding roadways here such as 466, 466A and now 44. At least we have options - everyone isn't feeding onto the same roadway for everything. Plus, I find that if I hit the stores when they open and get home by noon, traffic is really pretty light. Even the Publix at Colony Plaza has some non-peak hours (early morning and about 6 pm) so if traffic and crowds really bother you, avoid the peak times.