Traffic has become No. 1 complaint in The Villages

The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office is stepping up traffic enforcement as traffic has become the No. 1 complaint in The Villages.

District Commander for The Villages Capt. Robert Siemer briefed community development district boards this past week on efforts to step up traffic enforcement.

“It’s the No. 1 issue we hear about,” Siemer said.

As part of the effort to step up enforcement, the sheriff’s office has been using deputies who wanted overtime hours to patrol in problem areas. As Sheriff Pat Breeden has taken the reins, he has seen a need to increase the number of deputies on the road, Siemer said.

The sheriff is planning to get more deputies out on patrol on a more permanent basis.

In the effort to crack down on speeding, a deputy recently snared a speeding golf cart driver traveling at 35 miles per hour. In that case, the golf cart driver was issued a criminal citation, not just an ordinary speeding ticket. Golf carts are supposed to travel at no more than 20 mph.

“It’s pretty serious,” Siemer said. “When you get a criminal citation, you have to go in front of a judge.”