To the Editor:
Since moving to The Villages, an interesting observation. It appears that drivers in The Villages for the most part, completely ignore Florida Statutes as it pertains to cross walks. Many people walk inside The Villages, yet regardless if a sign is posted before a cross walk (such as on Charlotte Court) or if a cross walk exists without a sign (such as on Hillsborough Trail), it seems most vehicles completely ignore yielding to a pedestrian and I have not only observed; however had close calls with reckless drivers. This pertains to both automobiles and golf carts.
We should all be more diligent when it comes to safety of our walkers. Regardless if on a multi-modal path or on a roadway, we should slow down and yield to pedestrians.
In addition The Villages leadership should consider re-painting worn lines on cross walks and consider placing signs with flashing lights. Regardless, Florida Statutes as listed below is the law to yield to pedestrians in a cross walk.
(7)(a) The driver of a vehicle at an intersection that has a traffic control signal in place shall stop before entering the crosswalk and remain stopped to allow a pedestrian, with a permitted signal, to cross a roadway when the pedestrian is in the crosswalk or steps into the crosswalk and is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger.
(b) The driver of a vehicle at any crosswalk where signage so indicates shall stop and remain stopped to allow a pedestrian to cross a roadway when the pedestrian is in the crosswalk or steps into the crosswalk and is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger.
(c) When traffic control signals are not in place or in operation and there is no signage indicating otherwise, the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way, slowing down or stopping if need be to so yield, to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk when the pedestrian is upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling or when the pedestrian is approaching so closely from the opposite half of the roadway as to be in danger. Any pedestrian crossing a roadway at a point where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles upon the roadway.
Robert Corkern
Village of Charlotte
