[dewilson58]

Originally Posted by kkingston57

And what good would the extra $$$ do? Police would have to be everywhere to stop speeding careless drivers what ever.

Yep, Copper on every corner.

[Dusty_Star]

Originally Posted by LoisR

The Daily Sun has recently published a series of major articles about how unsafe Forida's roadways are. Over 800 pedestrian deaths were determined last year to be the result of dangerous drivers.
We have to travel periodically to Tampa, and have been doing this for over five years. Yesterday was only the second time we had seen a police car on the roadway. He was parked between the roadways, as cars sped by.
We've never seen one patrolling any of the roads surrounding The Villages or in the The Villages. They're certainly needed here.
Want to stop bad drivers? Get the police on the roadways doing their job.

I would guess that most of us do not want to live in a police state. Just drive defensibly. You will be okay.

[shaw8700@outlook.com]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

There are already different classes of licenses for motorcycles and for larger vehicles.

But rather than have a different license level for top speed, why not just legislate that ALL vehicles have a governor limiting the top speed to 75mph? If there are roads where the limit is higher they are few and far between. Most roads have limits less than 75mph already so we could even consider a lower number. Let's not wait until someone else is killed, let's reduce or eliminate the problem now!

But speed is only one cause of accidents. What the OP was writing about is the pedestrians that get killed. The lady who was killed in LSL was at wrong time/wrong place accident.

What really is disturbing is all the people who drive past school buses when the STOP sign is out. That should be criminal.

You could put governors on all cars but that would do anything for that woman or children getting to school/home safely.

What we need to do is make it so that phones don’t work when the cars are moving.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by shaw8700@outlook.com

But speed is only one cause of accidents. What the OP was writing about is the pedestrians that get killed. The lady who was killed in LSL was at wrong time/wrong place accident.

What really is disturbing is all the people who drive past school buses when the STOP sign is out. That should be criminal.

You could put governors on all cars but that would do anything for that woman or children getting to school/home safely.

What we need to do is make it so that phones don’t work when the cars are moving.

Now that is a good idea about cell phones not working while driving. And technology might get to the point that a cell phone will be imbedded in the vehicle and you can have a conversation over a speaker and voice dial numbers.

Pedestrian deaths have been a bad problem on US 19 in Pinellas County here in Florida for decades. Not much that works has been done as you have a large number of retail stores and cars often going 75 mph or faster.

[Dusty_Star]

Originally Posted by shaw8700@outlook.com

But speed is only one cause of accidents. What the OP was writing about is the pedestrians that get killed. The lady who was killed in LSL was at wrong time/wrong place accident.

What really is disturbing is all the people who drive past school buses when the STOP sign is out. That should be criminal.

You could put governors on all cars but that would do anything for that woman or children getting to school/home safely.

What we need to do is make it so that phones don’t work when the cars are moving.

If one cared about pedestrians, then there should be sidewalks on every street in the villages.

Running a stopped school bus is illegal. Or am I remembering another state?

I believe the OP was talking about driving to Tampa.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Dusty_Star

If one cared about pedestrians, then there should be sidewalks on every street in the villages.

Running a stopped school bus is illegal. Or am I remembering another state?

I believe the OP was talking about driving to Tampa.

Sidewalks are not needed on every street in the Villages. There *is* a sidewalk where the pedestrian was hit in LSL. What is needed is more alertness by both drivers and pedestrians.

[CybrSage]

I say we need another 10,000 or so officers to keep pedestrians from J walking, crossing against the light, using cell phone while walking, etc.

[CybrSage]

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725

Now that is a good idea about cell phones not working while driving. And technology might get to the point that a cell phone will be imbedded in the vehicle and you can have a conversation over a speaker and voice dial numbers.

Pedestrian deaths have been a bad problem on US 19 in Pinellas County here in Florida for decades. Not much that works has been done as you have a large number of retail stores and cars often going 75 mph or faster.

Good idea, stop the GPS map program from working when it is needed the most.
Let's also stop mobile phones from working while people walk...to prevent distractioned walkers.

[MandoMan]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

Look at a local paper that does not focus on only sunshine and roses in the Villages and you will see many reports of police activity. They are already doing their jobs; bad drivers are the least of their problems.

How many additional officers would you like? At least 800 so they can be permanently assigned to the locations where the pedestrians were killed? 800 more to be assigned to the next set of roads? Triple that to 5,000 additional so they can be assigned to those locations on three shifts?

The police cannot be everywhere and we really, really do not want them to be. I don't know what the answer is to untrained, uncaring, or distracted drivers but an overabundance of police is not it.

I think a sizable percentage of the pedestrian deaths are homeless junkies walking along the highway in dark clothing at night. They are virtually invisible unless one is using high beam headlights. They don’t want to walk in the weeds to the side of the road.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by MandoMan

I think a sizable percentage of the pedestrian deaths are homeless junkies walking along the highway in dark clothing at night. They are virtually invisible unless one is using high beam headlights. They don’t want to walk in the weeds to the side of the road.

No. There are not that many homeless junkies.

[tjlee500]

Here are the major causes in Florida. Not easy for police to detect all of this. You can be a great driver but ONE distraction can be fatal etc.

By: RTRLAWJan 3, 2024
What Are the 6 Major Causes of Car Accidents in Florida?

Personal Injury
Florida’s roads are among the most hazardous in the United States, with the state ranking third in the nation for the most fatalities due to car accidents. The influx of out-of-state travelers and heavy freight transportation on already congested highways exacerbates the risk of accidents.

1. Speeding: A Major Hazard
Speeding contributes to a considerable number of road accidents each year in Florida. The tendency to drive over the speed limit or too fast for conditions often leads to severe crashes, underscoring the need for stricter speed regulation and driver awareness programs.

2. Distracted Driving: An Ongoing Challenge
Distracted driving remains a leading cause of crashes, with 333 fatalities in 2021 in Florida – the highest in the state for at least eight years. Texting while driving, which is six times more dangerous than driving intoxicated, continues to be a leading reason for many crashes in the state.

3. Driving Under the Influence: A Persistent Problem
In Florida, 30% of car accidents are caused by people driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. These incidents often result in severe injuries or fatalities, highlighting the need for rigorous enforcement of DUI laws and public education about the risks of impaired driving.

4. Motorcycle Safety: A Key Focus
The state’s pleasant weather and scenic routes make it a popular destination for motorcyclists. However, motorcycle accidents continue to be a major concern, often leading to serious injuries or fatalities, especially among riders not wearing helmets. Promoting helmet use and safe riding practices are essential for reducing these incidents.

5. Seatbelt Use: A Crucial Safety Measure
Seatbelt usage is a critical factor in preventing fatalities and serious injuries in car crashes. Florida law enforcement continuously stresses the importance of wearing seatbelts to enhance road safety and reduce the risk of death or injury in accidents.

6. Weather Conditions
Known for sudden thunderstorms and severe weather events like hurricanes, Florida’s shifting weather conditions can rapidly deteriorate road conditions, posing additional challenges to drivers.

[Sabella]

Most people who are driving in the villages shouldn’t - let’s be honest about what aging does to a person‘s driving skills.

[Rodneysblue]

Originally Posted by LoisR

The Daily Sun has recently published a series of major articles about how unsafe Forida's roadways are. Over 800 pedestrian deaths were determined last year to be the result of dangerous drivers.
We have to travel periodically to Tampa, and have been doing this for over five years. Yesterday was only the second time we had seen a police car on the roadway. He was parked between the roadways, as cars sped by.
We've never seen one patrolling any of the roads surrounding The Villages or in the The Villages. They're certainly needed here.
Want to stop bad drivers? Get the police on the roadways doing their job.

When ever I go out I see officers patrolling different areas around Orange Blossom and Spanish Springs.

[opinionist]

I practice defensive walking when I am out on the street. There are plenty of drivers who don't see, hear, or think well. Maybe they should not be on the road, but try telling them that. If everyone elevated their sense of awareness, the problem would be reduced.

[vinricci]

I wonder if local law enforcement is pressured by Developers not to ruin the friendly home town aura by issuing too many citations. If they patrolled Morse and Buena Vista more often their departments would bring in revenue to fund more officers and vehicles and it would keep us all safer from those who do 50 mph in roundabouts.