No cart lights during the daytime
A villages resident has been arrested for driving a golf cart on a street during daylight hours that did not have functioning tail and brake lights.
I am asking for what the legitimacy of the charge might be. The driver did not have a valid driver's license. However it is my understanding that no driver's license is required to operate a golf cart otherwise no 14 year olds could possibly be driving them. Similarly Florida law seems to indicate that the golf cart must have operating lights only if it being operated between sundown and sunrise (when it is dark)
Here is the statute:
316.212 (5) A golf cart may be operated only during the hours between sunrise and sunset, unless the responsible governmental entity has determined that a golf cart may be operated during the hours between sunset and sunrise and the golf cart is equipped with headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and a windshield.
However an additional section reads:
(8) A local governmental entity may enact an ordinance relating to:
(a) Golf cart operation and equipment which is more restrictive than those enumerated in this section. Upon enactment of such ordinance, the local governmental entity shall post appropriate signs or otherwise inform the residents that such an ordinance exists and that it will be enforced within the local government’s jurisdictional territory. An ordinance referred to in this section must apply only to an unlicensed driver.
Is anyone aware of a Lake county or Lady Lake City ordinance that might apply to this situation? If there is such an ordinance have you seen appropriate signs or been informed that such an ordinance exists?
From Lady Lake website of its local rules:
Equipment and minimum standards. All golf carts operated within golf cart communities shall meet the minimum equipment standards established by Florida Statutes
None of this is meant to suggest that this or any driver of a golf cart should have less than a safe cart, but really, why did they ticket this person? Did she even know the lights were not working? Does she own the cart? Wouldn't most cops just tell you, hey your lights are out, get a new bulb?
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