Senior citizens deserve right to golf carts on public roads
I can't imagine how Janice Cavileer of Bradenton could write such a mean-spirited letter as appeared in the Oct. 15 letters to the editor.
How can she think that only automobiles belong on our roads? Does she also want to keep bicycles off the roads as she does golf carts? We are not talking I-75 here!
Ms. Cavileer, what makes you think that only automobiles have the right to use all of our streets and roads? Do you realize that in the "blink of an eye" you, too, will be too old and/or feeble to drive your car everywhere you want to go?
Golf cart drivers are not asking for the right to use all our county byways, only those near their residences in mobile home parks where they are allowed such use.
Does it dramatically decrease your quality of life to drive a few miles slower in order to give your neighbors a similar quality of life? Is where you are going so much more important than where your neighbors wish to go?
I live in a mobile home park where most of our seven miles of road can be used by public vehicles, and the roads are maintained by Manatee County. Many of our residents no longer drive, but they can go to our pool, rec hall, marina, post office, wood shop, exercise room, and also the beach and cabana on Sarasota Bay by just hopping in their golf carts.
Their neighbors behind the wheels of their automobiles smile and wave as they go by, and the drivers of the golf cars do likewise, as they pull over so that cars can pass them where possible.
Surely, you and others who are upset by golf carts using a few of our streets can reach out a helping hand to your neighbors and allow them the courtesy of using the only means of transportation available to many of them. Remember, with the grace of God you will reach that age also, and you may be mighty happy to turn on the key of your golf cart.
Florris Bly
Bradenton
This story was originally published October 28, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Senior citizens deserve right to golf carts on public roads ."