[Worldseries27]

Originally Posted by thirdoffive

good point. Things are dicey enough even for those who walk at high noon.

I do a lot of walking but avoid walking after sundown. Some time back i misjudged the time and was faced with walking two miles back home in the dark. I stuck to the mmp but took to the ditch (dry time of year) when one was approaching from the front or back. Worked pretty well; my eyes were adjusted to the dark so i could see, vaguely, where i was walking, but i did step on something that wriggled under my foot and jumped sideways right quick. Never did see what it was.

i've seen many 2am to 6am walkers on the paths oblivious to the fact that there is dangerous wildlife out there especially in the southern areas of tv.

[bobeaston]

Originally Posted by vintageogauge

I've never heard of a walker getting injured by a car around here when it was dark. ....

While not inside The Villages, just outside on Rolling Acres Road, a couple was run down after dark by a hit-and-run driver just a few months ago. One was killed, the other critically injured. The news reports did not say if they were walking facing traffic, were carrying lights, or wearing reflective clothing. I'd bet not. We do know from the reports that they were off the side of the road, not on it. Whoever hit them had to swerve to do it, and they obviously didn't see in time to jump out of the way.

Lights and reflective clothing is your choice, but ALWAYS walk facing traffic, and stay alert.

--- In memory of boyhood friend Ralph, who never saw the car that mowed him down. ---

[PersonOfInterest]

Originally Posted by Full-timer

Happy for all the folks that are out early in the am or late evening walking, with or without dogs and getting some exercise.

Here is the thing. If it is dark, (or close to dark), why are some of you wearing dark clothing and or no reflective clothing and no lights of any kind?

You do understand the same people that wipe out light poles and drive through concrete walls are some of the same people driving in the dark right?

Remember, while walking it has nothing to do with how well YOU see while walking. It is about what everyone else doesn't see.

Wake up people. Smarten up a little.

Thank you for your concern for me, but you needn't worry. I will take a sweater in case I get cold.

[Blackbird45]

As a born New Yorker, I think most of this post are confusing the legal things you should do to protect yourself with whatever you should really do. In NYC you always keep a watchful eye for people around you. Here in TV no one intentionally is out to do you harm, but at our advanced age some sight, hearing and response time is not what it used to be. If you're going to walk out in the dark strap a big neon sign on your back if you can. Being in the right doesn't amount to anything if you find yourself in the hospital or worse.

[MandoMan]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

If someone cannot see a light pole or a concrete wall then a small patch of reflective material is not going to make any difference at all.

If I was going to walk some distance on an unlit road then I might carry a light but here I am walking on a sidewalk or an MMP with street lights all around me.

Of course, carrying a light or wearing reflective clothing will make you more visible and *should* make you more safe. But there is also something to be said for personal responsibility. Trust me, I am awake when I walk and I'm smart enough to pay attention to the traffic around me. I will stay out of the path of your car as long as you keep your car off the sidewalk.

You can say that, but it’s so much better to play it safe. A couple weeks ago a bicycle rider in dark clothes without a light nearly ran into my car as I pulled up to a stop sign. He was making a left turn and drove through my lane. I’ve also had that happen in the day a couple times in the past few months, but it’s worse at nice. Last night I drove past a couple walking on a street without a sidewalk. They carried little red lights, and that was a big help. With low beam headlights, people don’t show up very well. A big thanks to you bike riders who use strobe lights even in the day. I can see you several blocks away. That makes you so much safer!

[me4vt]

Originally Posted by fishon

Villagers have proven every day that they aren’t smart enough to do the right thing.
They walk on the wrong side of the road, fail to wear reflective clothing, walk in the cart lane and follow their dog back and forth across the road.
If it weren’t for all the doddering old people The Villages would be a paradise.

If it weren’t for the old farts, there wouldn’t be a Villages Before long the “Pandemicors” will want charge of the Villages!

[Sjchandler1211]

Originally Posted by Full-timer

Happy for all the folks that are out early in the am or late evening walking, with or without dogs and getting some exercise.

Here is the thing. If it is dark, (or close to dark), why are some of you wearing dark clothing and or no reflective clothing and no lights of any kind?

You do understand the same people that wipe out light poles and drive through concrete walls are some of the same people driving in the dark right?

Remember, while walking it has nothing to do with how well YOU see while walking. It is about what everyone else doesn't see.

Wake up people. Smarten up a little.

You had me until your last snarky sentence. Do you really think you need to speak to people like that?

[buster21]

Two words…. SLOW DOWN!!!!

[GpaVader]

In addition to the clothing are people that walk with ear buds or headphones, which affect their ability to hear around them. Took a safety class and that was one of the biggest issues. People tuned out to their surroundings and or having their face in their phone.

Please pay attention to your surroundings as well as making sure you can be seen.

[HospitalCoder]

[IMG]OLIKER LED Night Running Gear High Visibility LED Flashing Sash Outdoor Running Cycling Hiking Jogging Rechargeable Illuminating Gear for Men and Women Night Safety Walking Gear https://a.co/d/7gjuTL2[/IMG]

I recently realized I was not as visible as I would like to be at night so I purchased this sash. It will blink rapidly or solid. I highly recommend it or something similar.

[Fastskiguy]

Originally Posted by Full-timer

Happy for all the folks that are out early in the am or late evening walking, with or without dogs and getting some exercise.

Here is the thing. If it is dark, (or close to dark), why are some of you wearing dark clothing and or no reflective clothing and no lights of any kind?

You do understand the same people that wipe out light poles and drive through concrete walls are some of the same people driving in the dark right?

Remember, while walking it has nothing to do with how well YOU see while walking. It is about what everyone else doesn't see.

Wake up people. Smarten up a little.

I've taken to yelling "Darkwad" in situations like this. If it works on the playa it can work in The Villages.

Urban Dictionary: Darkwad

I can't agree with you more, It is surprising how common this incredible dangerous behavior is.

Joe

[JWGifford]

Originally Posted by Full-timer

Happy for all the folks that are out early in the am or late evening walking, with or without dogs and getting some exercise.

Here is the thing. If it is dark, (or close to dark), why are some of you wearing dark clothing and or no reflective clothing and no lights of any kind?

You do understand the same people that wipe out light poles and drive through concrete walls are some of the same people driving in the dark right?

Remember, while walking it has nothing to do with how well YOU see while walking. It is about what everyone else doesn't see.

Wake up people. Smarten up a little.

Its all just simple risk management. Nothing is fool proof but one can take steps to reduce the likelihood of an incident or injury. Wear bright colors, something reflective perhaps, have a light, walk towards traffic, wait until daylight, stick to walking paths, etc. Or don't.... its a free country.

[talonip]

Originally Posted by fishon

Villagers have proven every day that they aren’t smart enough to do the right thing.
They walk on the wrong side of the road, fail to wear reflective clothing, walk in the cart lane and follow their dog back and forth across the road.
If it weren’t for all the doddering old people The Villages would be a paradise.

I take offense to your post. The cart paths are multimodal and walkers can walk on them. It’s not only old people. I live in St. John’s and daily on walks I see cars going 50 on okuhumka. Mostly women and younger. I have walked the villages for 9 years and for the most part it is safe and friendly but occasionally it’s beyond the pale. The discourtesy is amazing. Case in point and my new pet peeve is cars on meggison approaching the okuhumka round about from the south. I was coming from the north and continue around to Okahumka. I see cars approaching the round a bout at high speed and looking as if they are not going to give the right away to me in the round about and almost have to stop. When I don’t they honk at me. Vehicle in the round a bout have the right away. They approaching the round a bout at the speed of sound. Wtf?

[cwhitecat]

It is not a cart lane it is a multi modal lane, that is where they are supposed to walk.

[CosmicTrucker]

Now you surely don't expect me to wear something light and flashy while I'm out late sneaking around my neighbors yards letting my precious little puppy dog poop in their yards or along a sidewalk now do ya? What fun would that be if I couldn't get over on everyone?