The Deputy Sheriffs may be in plain clothes driving unmarked cars. Also unmarked motorcycles. The radar may look like a pair of binoculars and the Sheriff using it may pretend to be bird watching. The radar also takes a photo. A Deputy Sheriff told me that a straight shot with an accurate reading can be made up to 1/2 mile distance and is acceptable as State evidence. Depending on the judge, you may face a $500.00 fine the first time. There are also other charges that may be applied, as mentioned in a previous post. The judge will wave additional charges pending on when you prove with a certified letter from a court designated technician that your golf cart is altered to have a maximum speed of 19.5 mph. If you get caught again within 5 years or within the term of the judge you appeared before, it is considered as an insult to the judicial system of Florida and then all the charges are reinstated in addition to the ones you just racked up on the second offense. The relatively small fine for the first time offender is basically a "gift". I think under Florida statutes, unregistered vehicle offenses can be a felony count. You do not want to be caught a second time!
There are also harsh fines for driving a golf cart on roads or crossing roads where they are not permitted. That is why you see signs that state "No Golf Carts Beyond This Point".
There are also rules of use that apply to the multi use paths. These are the paths that run parallel to the main roads (like Morse and Buena Vista Blvd.). Because they are available for use by golf carts, bicycles, in-line skaters and general pedestrians those paths are also restricted to prohibit vehicles that can travel faster than 19.5mph. That is why you do not see motorcycles, mini bikes, go carts or mopeds on those paths. I have heard from law enforcement that there are actions that can be taken against people that show disregard to those rules but I have not heard of any instances where they have been enforced.
Now, with the advent of the new Atomic Golf Carts using the paths, and the fact that they can go well over the 19.5 mph limit, we may start seeing those rules enforced.
|