Chaos on World Drive

[VacationDad]

Anyone else feel that the driving within WDW property has gotten out of control? It seems that once people are on Disney World property they tend to forget about normal speed limits and safe driving practices. We were leaving Magic Kingdom Feb 24th around 5 PM when I see this black SUV cut across 3 lanes of southbound traffic, I guess trying to get to a reverse-direction turn-around in the far left lane. Everyone slams on their brakes including us but the car in the left most lane didn't see him and slammed into him and they both went careening into the grass median.

I suppose if anyone needs witnesses to this accident, you can send me a private message here.

 

[shellybaxter]

Our first time driving around the World was in January. Maybe it's just a newbie perspective, but I thought it was EASY driving. The signs were will marked, we never got lost, and with so many people in one place we only hit one traffic jam. That was due to the marrathon, so I guess that was to be expected. Maybe since it seems so easy to drive people are taking more chances. Sorry you had to see that accident. That would shake me up I think.

shelly

 

[darner]

just more encroachment of the real world on the world of fun and fantasy...

i can recall staying off property in the early years as a kid and just the lines of traffic waiting and waiting to exit... and now when we go we never get a rental car and always stay on-property (DVC)...

 

[loriandmatt]

Apparently you are not the only ones to notice it.....Disney has and they did something about it. here is an article copied from the transportation page here at the DIS.

NOTICE: In an effort to increase safety on WDW Property roads, Disney has contracted with the Orange County Sherriff's Office for a lengthy period of intensive traffic enforcement across property. This has happened in the past, as well, but this time, Disney has asked Deputy's for no exclusions. This means that traffic laws will be enforced, whether you are a tourist driving a rental car, or a Cast Member on the way to work. Speed traps are being set up on a daily basis, and Deputies will pull over any and all vehicles. Epcot Center Drive, Osceola Parkway and World Drive are favorite targets, and all have maximum speed limits of 50 mph. However, please note that the Speed Limit on World Drive drops to 35 about a half mile before the Magic Kingdom Toll Plaza; to 35 approaching the Epcot Toll Plaza on Epcot Center Drive; and to 40 about 1/4 mile before the Animal Kingdom Toll Plaza on Osceola Parkway. Aside from these three roads, the speed limit on property is between 35 and 45 miles per hour. It is possible, as well, that speed traps could be set up on roads INSIDE the resorts, such as at the Caribbean Beach. At Caribbean, Port Orleans, Fort Wilderness and Coronado Springs, the speed limit on the perimeter roads is 25 mph. At Saratoga Springs it is 15 mph, and at Old Key West it is 15 - 20 mph.


- lori

 

[SlightlyGoofy]

I have seen so many improvements to signage and such through our many visits. Have to admit that as easy to read as the red and purple signs are in the daytime I cannot see them at night. I am a bit of night blind and wonder if anyone else has the same problem. I really like the low mph as it keeps any accidents from being much worse than they might be otherwise and gives people a bit more time to figure out what they are doing next.

I see people who cut across the lanes to get to an exit and such but nearly as much as I used to thanks to the great signage and the improvements in how the lanes are laid out nowadays.

I am always super careful in tourist areas as you have large amounts of people who do not know what they are doing (myself included sometimes) and might be under the influence or just plain tired, nervous or whatever.

When I read about DW using Orange County traffic control I was thinking it might be a win win for everyone. Am guessing but would that not cut down on DW expenses as well as increase money into Orange County's coffers and making people be a whole lot more careful. Just a thought. Feel free to disagree but please do not be disagreeable?

Slightly Goofy/Linda

 

[VacationDad]

I agree the signs throughout Disney World are very good. Really, all throughout the Orlando area I think they do a very good job with highway signs. Except for the Belz Outlet Mall. I passed right by the exit I was supposed to take as there was no sign specifying the Belz Outlets. You would think there would be considering the number of tourists who make a stop at the Belz Outlets.

 

[BeckWhy]

It's not that people forget the speed limit. That's how they normally drive.

 

[Feralpeg]

Actually, Disney property is one of the few places in the Orlando area that I actually feel fairly safe driving. You should try Highway 50! Now that's crazy!

 

[VacationDad]

Actually, Disney property is one of the few places in the Orlando area that I actually feel fairly safe driving. You should try Highway 50! Now that's crazy!

I would have agreed if I hadn't seen this accident. This wasn't a simple fender bender. The car was going at least 65 mph before slamming on his brakes immediately before hitting the SUV. After seeing that, the crazy jockeying on 192 seemed almost tame.

 

[G00fyDad]

Anyone else feel that the driving within WDW property has gotten out of control? It seems that once people are on Disney World property they tend to forget about normal speed limits and safe driving practices. We were leaving Magic Kingdom Feb 24th around 5 PM when I see this black SUV cut across 3 lanes of southbound traffic, I guess trying to get to a reverse-direction turn-around in the far left lane. Everyone slams on their brakes including us but the car in the left most lane didn't see him and slammed into him and they both went careening into the grass median.

I suppose if anyone needs witnesses to this accident, you can send me a private message here.

I have had this happen twice here locally. Last year and the year before. We always go to the Kentucky State Fair and driving around the Fairgrounds is an excersise in restraint. Some idiot is always cutting acroos people to get to an inside offramp to the left.
The first time, year before last, I was going around the loop (goes all the way around the Fairgrounds AND Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom) and some moron cuts from the lane to my right across my front end to get off the loop and hits me. The stupid thing was that there was no one behind me! Why couldn't he have got back there?
The second time was last year (same place, same fair ) And the woman in front of me slams on her brakes cause she was going to miss the only entrance to the inside area for the next, ohhhh 50 ft. I wind up rear ending her. She got out of her car on the phone (which is why she lissed the exit in the first place) telling her "hommies" to come "bust this white boy up". Thank God the police got there first because it may have turned into a shoot out. I carry a P-series Ruger 9mm. I would probably have been killed.

 

[seashoreCM]

I suppose if anyone needs witnesses to this accident, you can send me a private message here.

Would you consider mailing a description to the police department for the area?

It would be good for them to know that the car that was hit was angling across lanes.

I am not sure whether being hit ont he rear corner is different from a true rear-ender but we also need to consider whether, had the driver in the rear not braked at all, it would have been a broadside instead of a rear-enter and should be judged accordingly.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[3for Me]

We did see tickets being handed out on two seperate occassions in early Feb. The police had several cars pulled over each time, and I told my husband that they must be doing some sort of crackdown.

 

[dkostel]

I just got back Sunday and saw three separate cars pulled over. At first I thought the Disney cops busted them - then I thought not a bad place to have to come for traffic court - but then I saw the Orange County Sheriff sign on the car.

 

[macfamily]

Wowza...

I think I'm kinda glad I'm taking the shuttle in, then staying there

 

[spiceycat]

I drive fast because if you don't you will get hit.

I am so glad that WDW and the local police are stopping this.

WDW is a beautiful area and if you are speeding you must constantly watch the street not the scenery - but hey at 35 to 40 mph....

I think most of the problems I have had are Disney employees - sometimes they are in Disney van....

you always need to watch for people crossing over - I really think WDW could put up BETTER signs so these people would not get trapped.

Make it plain that 536 is in the RIGHT LANE only - they don't.

So I can understand how someone could get mixed up. Then they start to panic and they forget - they can easily do a U-turn (less posted not too) and not have to endanger themselves or others.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

Actually, Disney property is one of the few places in the Orlando area that I actually feel fairly safe driving. You should try Highway 50! Now that's crazy!

50's bad, 535's bad, 192's brutal (espicially in the section between 535 and the Walmart where there's all the construction), I-4 can be bad, and Sand Lake Rd (espicially near the I drive intersection) can be very bad.

 

[Evil Queen]

I always felt fairly safe on 192, going back to Turnpike. Only because I seem to be more aware myself, and hope others follow suit. I hate interstate roads.


But have seen many lane shifters (I am talking more than a lane at a time) on other roads around Disney!