[captain1202]

What's with the grumpy old men in golf carts? ???

On numerous occasions, when in the car, I have had occasion to attempt to allow a cart to pass in front of me. Perhaps I was stopped at a gate, or maybe I was not certain of the cart's intentions so I slowed or stopped. Notwithstanding the "carts yield to cars" rule, if a car is stopped and has waived a cart on, I see no reason for the cart driver to flip you the bird or for the auto driver to be the recipient of a verbal fusilade. Can't we just be courteous from time to time?

Maybe I'll modify my behavior and plow on through. In my profession I am always looking out for the other guy, but as my boss says, "don't worry about those small boats, thousands of stupid people get killed every day". Perhaps the same applies to carts.

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by captain1202

Notwithstanding the "carts yield to cars" rule, if a car is stopped and has waived a cart on, I see no reason for the cart driver

I think you answered your own question. The problem isn't you being courteous it is the guy behind you in the car who KNOWS that you are not stopping. When you do stop accidents can happen. It has been documented on this site before how many times accidents have happened because of what you did especially at gates.

Granted the cart driver shouldn't be rude but for the system to work ALL must abide by the rules.

[jadebox]

Scares me when cars stop at the round abouts to let our cart go by. We are not rude but motion for them to continue on. I know they are trying to be nice but they may get rear ended doing that. When cars slow down directly beside us when we are suppose to yield it makes me nervous. If drivers of cars just stay alert and continue on we will all be safe.

[NJblue]

Is there a thread or some other source of information about cart safety and rules of the road in TV? We'll be down there in a few weeks for a Lifestyle visit and have arranged to rent a cart. I'd hate to make our kids prematurely our heirs because we were run over by a truck.

[samhass]

Gracie, people know the hand signs alright. I think the state bird of Florida is a hand sign.

[samhass]

BTW Captain, those grumpy old men are on golf carts, in cars, stores, restaurants, etc.
The snowbirds are gone but many people still seem to be in an awful rush. What gives?? Gotta get to work?? :dontknow:

[MikeH]

I will never, ever pull out in front of a car that has the right-of-way! I won't do it in my golf cart or my car. No matter how kind the other driver wants to be. If you REALLY want to be kind and courteous follow the rules of the road (learn them first---the Florida rules). If you have the right-of-way, take it, carefully. If you follow the rules of the road, then I will know what to expect from you and neither of us will be placed in a dangerous situation.

[renielarson]

Hope

Maybe I'm not thinking straight and need some help...

What roundabouts are you driving your golf cart on? I can't remember ever driving on a roundabout...there's always a golf cart path on the side of the road I drive on.

Explain, please.

[captain1202]

So I guess it's damn the torpedoes...full speed ahead, eh?

Hope, the roundabouts are another story. But who stops in a roundabout?

Samhass, your recent experience at the gate underscores my point.

I will continue to use my judgement to slow down or stop if I think it's necessary. Accidents happen because people "have the right of way".

[jadebox]

The round abouts have cart paths that go around them (Near SS). The cart is suppose to yeild to cars entering the round. Many times car drivers stop to tell carts to go on. This is dangerous. I know they are trying to be nice but not only could they be rear ended but there are 2 lanes so another car may be following the rules and not stop in the other lane. This is where El Camino, Morse and Paige meet.

[renielarson]

Hope

Yes, I know where you're talking about now and understand. Thanks.

I agree, that roundabout is one of the most dangerous I've seen. I'm always careful but when there I take extra precautions.

[Talk Host]

Another huge danger is that other motorists don't know you have waved a cart into traffic. They are expecting that the cart driver will not pull in front of them. That's why we have to have conventional traffic rules.

[Russ_Boston]

Originally Posted by captain1202

So I guess it's damn the torpedoes...full speed ahead, eh?

Captain - You don't seem to be getting it.

It is not attitude or lack of courtesy or respect. "Dems da rules"! It really is much easier, safer and more enjoyable if we all stick to the exact same set of rules. It is very easy - whoever has the right of way goes next and carts never have the right of way over a car unless they are in the same lane on the road which can happen at many intersections where the carts need to merge into traffic. Then it is standard right of way rules.

Don't make it complicated or some Villages attitude deal.

[samhass]

Captain, when I have the right of way, I assume other motorist think they have it as well.
I drive defensively..no, not like a little old lady! There are some terrible drivers around here and I take nothing for granted when I'm driving in TV. I feel safer doing 70 on I-95 than driving in TV.

[blueeagle65]

Be alert because those same grumpy old men will totter off a curb into your path in a heart beat, too! No looking right or left, just straight ahead because they are the king of the world and everyone should look out for them and grant them the right of way. They may actually legally have the right of way, but then again they may end up being 'dead right'. My folks taught me long ago to look right and left and to not step in front of anything larger than me.