Sorry JimJoe, I have to disagree with you on this one. I live here full time, and we see a lot of it. I ride my bicycle on the rec trails, and I find the speeding carts to be a safety hazard. They whiz by me on some of the narrower portions, so close, I have almost been forced off the trail. They go around curves so fast, that often times pedestrians that are also using hte trail have to quickly jump aside to avoid being hit. The Morse Blvd. bridge has a 10 mph speed limit that is completely disregarded. I was passed by someone the other day had to be going 30 mph on the rec trail. We have to share the trails with carts, cyclists, and walkers, and the speeding carts are a menace IMHO.

The "private property" question is a really good one. While I agree for the need for enforcement, how can the deputies do it on "private property." Are the multiuse trails "private?" There has got to be some loop hole they are using.

If I'm not mistaken, the newspaper once quoted law enforcement as saying that souped up carts would be charged with "tampering with or changing mandatory factory safety equipment."

I would love to hear from an expert on this matter.

JIMJOE..............where are you?

JLK

I think that once you get off of the multinodal paths and are on one of the main roads (Belle Meade Circle, Morris, Madiera, Enrico, etc,) they are allowed to issue tickets for not obeying the traffic laws. They sit in Azteca loop on the side roads and on Legacy Lane and give tickets for running the stop signs.

Although a few years ago, I did see a cop on a cycle chase a cart down the multinodal path. Maybe the cart committed an infraction on Southern Trace and did not stop for the cop so he pursued.

Uh Oh

TOTV Advertiser.

http://www.digitaloverdrivesystems.com/

We were concerned about this too. I talked with the owner of the company and he said this product is for those 13 mph carts that want to go 19.

I looked at the demo video on the web site. Looks like there'd be nothing to worry about - speed got up to just short of 19 mph.

Bill

With regards to Azteca Loop. I questioned this with the CCD and here's their reply from Eva Rey. I assume the other districts have similar agreements.

And, according to Lt Wolfe, the multi-modal paths are district property and SCSO has no jurisdiction with regard to cart speed.

Response from Eva Rey:

Thank you for your e-mail. Villa roads are the property of the District they are in, which in this case would be District #2. However, these villa roads are also public roads, which grant the Sheriff’s Office the authority under Florida Statutes to patrol/write citations. In addition, F.S. 316.006 grants municipalities the authority to enter into agreements with special districts, such as District #2, to provide these services. District #2 and the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office entered into such an agreement in 2002.

In summary, the Sheriff is granted the authority to patrol villa roads by Florida Statutes and by written agreement with the District. I hope this answers your question. Please let me know if I can be of further assistance.

Funny
 

There's a related post to this one under " How much protection do we need". I brought up the fact of be careful what you ask for. We really don't want a heavy police watch for a lot of reasons. I got hammered by several people who said all the rules should be inforced. Speed, driving under the influance etc. I guess it all depends on what rules are important to each individual. I agree the faster carts are a problem as are the slow carts. I do have a question though. Someone buys a street legal that goes 25mph+, pays for ins., registration, gets the tax cradit. Why does that person ride on the path, in the golf cart lane, use multi mogul paths and pass the slower moving carts instead of using the road which is supposedly what they paid extra for?

I'd like to know when they are going to start enforcing the speed limits for passenger cars and trucks in Silver Lake and surrounding villages.

simple answer....because the vehicle traffic runs you off the road. i drive a lsv and the cars come right up my you know what until i pull over into the cart lane! then they pass doing much more than the speed limit.

Thanks
 

Now I know. I guess much like on the paths when a faster vehicle comes on my you know what in my slower vehicle.

Good
 

Good. I am tired of the illegal fast carts riding my rear and then zooming past me in their impatience. Fast carts do not make up for any shortcomings in other areas. :smiley:

Just curious...
 

I guess I'm wondering if all the folks expressing dissatisfaction about fast golf carts also obey the posted speed limits in their cars?

You ONLY drive the posted speed limit on the tollways too ???

Just saying .... :shrug:

This is a good point. I believe a lot of the concerns are in regard to safe use of the golf carts and if they are really able to be operated safely at speeds over 20 mph. I think the answer is in the details of the law. Florida law states:

320.01 Definitions, general.--As used in the Florida Statutes, except as otherwise provided, the term:
(22) "Golf cart" means a motor vehicle that is designed and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting or recreational purposes and that is not capable of exceeding speeds of 20 miles per hour.

So when you are going over 20 mph in a golf cart you are not just speeding, you are driving a vehicle that is in violation of Florida law.

Automobiles are obviously manufactured to exceed speed limits because they travel on roadways with many different speed limits. If the law stated that an automobile was a vehicle that is not capable of exceeding 70 miles per hour you could still speed with it all day long on city streets.

Another point - the speed limit in front of my villa is 10 mph. I doubt that many cars, golf carts, delivery vehicles, maintenance vehicles, etc. obey that speed limit.

So - when is it legal for the average citizen to exceed the speed limit? But when does that same average citizen accept speeding as okay? I would say that most of us accept 5 mph over the limit on Interstate 75 as okay. We accept it, it happens all the time. But from these threads it is obvious that not many of us accept 5 mph over the limit in a golf cart as okay. (BTW, if you are doing 75 in a 70 zone you are about 7% over the limit, if you are doing 25 in a 20 zone you are 25% over the limit.)

They're likely the people that do the speed limit in the passing lane and self-righteously refuse to move over because they figure they're moving "fast enough". I'm just saying .......:icon_wink:

Depends.. now what I wear but where and what you are doing
 

I did not practice in Florida so I will talk about my experience in Iowa.
Most traffic laws do not apply on private property in Iowa but a few do such as Operating While Intoxicated.
I am not sure if the cart paths are actually on private property. They could be on the right away which is public property, much like the parking that you are required to mow and maintain but do not own.
My guess is they are ticketing speeders who are in the cart lane on a public roadway.

Thanks for the info
 

Thanks for the info.. I never noticed any speeding or bad driving while I have been in TV. Maybe it is because I was too busy speeding myself!! (NOPE).
I definitely did notice the narrow paths north of 466, and getting under 466 going north down BV.. if you dont get off soon enough.. oh boy.. you are at the intersection with no where to go. I take the fifth on what I did next.
JJ

That's exactly the fact... Where I'm living now, it's illegal to pass on the right and the fine for doing so is very hefty...no speed limits, but there are still some rules.

I agree that speeding in carts is dangerous, not just for passengers of the cart, but for the poor souls in the other carts they blow by. Here in Mass., all vehicles must go under mandatory safety inspection yearly, and it's my understanding that Florida doesn't do this. I find it really ironic that the State of Florida lets cars on the road that emit pollutants, have bald tires, bad suspensions, defective lights, bad brakes, etc., but will give someone a ticket for going a couple of mph over 19 mph because it is considered modifying the vehicle so it is no longer a cart.

Since I don't need a drivers license to operate my cart I sometimes don't carry any ID with me if I'm just going to pick up my mail. How does a police officer issue a ticket? Does he take my word as to what my name is? How about my address? I can tell him anything. My cart of course doesn't have a license plate so how does he know who I am? Just wondering.

I guess you go directly to jail, you do not pass go nor do you collect $200.

Speed Warnings
 

Several posters have expressed concern about the possibility of getting a ticket for going one or two mph over the posted speed. This should not happen. FL law requires giving warning tickets for speed less than 5mph over the limit except in school zones.

http://www.mit.edu/~jfc/laws.html

One person asked why people with LSV's (and I am one of them) do not drive on the road as they are allowed to do. I do not drive my LSV on the on El Camino Real and Buena Vista because I feel by doing so I expose others as well as myself to needless and inconsiderate risk. For this same reason I do not drive 45mph on the Interstate although it is perfectly legal. I know others may not agree, but believe that legal justification should never replace common sense and courtesy.

Funny! :smiley:

Wow!!, "common sense and courtesy". What a radical idea. You think people should use their heads in situations where the letter of the law may not be the prudent thing to do even if you are, in effect, in the legal right of things?
hmmmmmmm............:icon_wink:

Good point. It's not just speed either. There is at least one person on this thread who is all for ticketing a golf cart going a few MPH faster than him, but who has declared that he will continue to violate the traffic circle laws because his way is "more intuitive" to him. I'd say that traffic circle violations lead to many more accidents than a cart going a few MPH faster than yours can go.

I have heard from several sources that the police are using radar guns while sitting in rec and pool parking lots and motorcycle cops are "hiding" in the bushes and ticketing golf carts. I don't know at what speed they are stopping people, but it is all over the area.

It's not fair if the cops are nailing carts going downhill @ 21 MPH. I have no problem with them ticketing the hotshots who have upgraded their carts and try to run the law abiding citizen off the road. The last thing Village people want to to drive in fear each time they go for a what is supposed to be a pleasurable ride. I wish one of the police in the area would clearify this issue.

What I was told is they are not giving speeding tickets. They are giving tickets for driving an unregistered motor vehicle. The police were at the Sable Chase Pool at about 2 this afternoon.

Seniors and Speed Don't Mix Well
 

This community is largely populated by those of an age who do not have the reflexes and peripheral vision of only a few years ago. It is time to discard the "macho" nascar facade and realize our limitations. If it takes enforcement of laws and regulations already on the books, then so be it. What is the hurry? Slow down and take advantage of the scenery. We are lucky to be alive and where we are.

They were at Caroline mail station about the same time today as well. They appear to be emphasizing those roads where carts share the roadway with autos, rather than the multi-modal paths.

Okay, I have a cart that will easily exceed the speed limit -- I didn't ask for it to be fast, it came that way. My speed is usually between 19 and 21, occasionally a little faster, rarely any slower. I'm passed as if I'm stopped and this is on Morse where the carts are going out into traffic and sometimes cutting off a car. As Homer would say, "DOH!!" If I do get pulled over for speeding when going 21, I'll suck it up, just like I would in a car -- I may not have been going over the speed limit by a lot, but I was speeding. And, yes, I know the ticket is technically for operating an unregistered vehicle since it is being driven over the authorized limit for a cart.

I don't think the police can ticket on non-street multi-modal paths -- they're considered private property. Personally, I wish they could. Some people really do drive on these paths way too fast.

I doubt if they'll get those going 20 or 21, but anything faster is really insane (unless street legal) and they deserve the ticket. If my understanding of the law is correct, street legal vehicles, including golf carts and scooters must keep their speed to under 21 mph when using the multi-modal paths. (Please note that's "IF.")

What law would that be ?

Does anyone know where I can find out what type of vehicles are authorized to operate on the Multi-modal paths?

After reading so many posts on this subject, for the life of me, I can't understand why some feel they aren't subject to Florida laws concerning golf CART speeds. If you have to go no faster than 19.9mph, what's the problem. Most golf carts aren't equipped with seat belts, and passengers can easily be ejected from a cart. It's happened around here and if I recall correctly, someone was seriously injured or died as a result. Correct me if I'm mistaken.

In Florida, a golf cart may be operated only upon a county road that has been designated by a county, or a municipal street that has been designated by a municipality, for use by golf carts. Prior to making such a designation, the responsible local governmental entity must first determine that golf carts may safely travel on or cross the public road or street, considering factors including the speed, volume, and character of motor vehicle traffic using the road or street. Upon a determination that golf carts may be safely operated on a designated road or street, the responsible governmental entity shall post appropriate signs to indicate that such operation is allowed.

Multimodal paths most likely don't fall under this rule, but again, it's not just carts on these paths....there are bikers, walkers, and even some in motorized chairs. What's the big rush? Why do you have to drive faster than the law states? What are the golf cart rules in the state you left?

For driving on Florida roads:

Florida law 320.01 ......320.01 Definitions, general.--As used in the Florida Statutes, except as otherwise provided, the term:

(22) "Golf cart" means a motor vehicle that is designed and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting or recreational purposes and that is not capable of exceeding speeds of 20 miles per hour.

If golf carts can't be driven at speeds faster than 20 on the roads, the same most likely applies to the paths since that is the state definition of a golf cart. If not, driving faster than 20 on paths is reckless and could endanger many, including the driver of said cart.

Well now, she didn't say roads, she said multi modal paths ! ! ! Again, what law ? ?

I realize she didn't say roads and I stated that the law is for carts on Florida roads....but if you look at the definition of what a golf cart is here.......

Is there a specific law for the paths? Haven't found one yet, but did find a report about the number of accidents north of 466 involving carts. Have to look specifically at where the accidents happened. The report stated a three year period, 2006 to 2009.

Honestly, if someone is driving their cart at 25 mph on the cart path and cause an injury to me or any of those riding in my cart because of their speed, I'd take legal action against them. If they have this need for speed, get a street legal cart and drive it on the roads. Personally, it's not something I'd want to do....cars are much heavier than any street legal cart.

If I can't find a specific law regarding the speed on the multimodal paths, then there should be something specific about it since those paths are used by many, including walkers and joggers.

Back to searching.

Chacam, my reference to multi-modal paths was not in regard to the private ones, but the ones that adjoin streets such as those north of 466 on Morse. Sorry that became such an issue to you.

As to why people in retirement communities speed, whether in car, cart or whatever -- there could be several reasons. A storm is coming and you're racing to get home to not get caught in the lightning, especially in a cart. You're late for an appointment, a game, whatever. A friend or relative needs you NOW. Illness. You have an inherent lead foot.

I understand that, but when I've seen speeders, it's been people with golf clubs on their carts, talking and laughing. They don't appear to be rushing for any other reason than driving fast. I could be wrong, but my gut feeling is, I'm not. That doesn't make me right, gut feelings are less than proof.... ;)

Honestly, I'm always giving drivers the benefit of the doubt when I see cars driving faster than they should, and I don't know why I feel differently about carts.

Maybe I'm more upset about people driving recklessly....and to me, driving at speed on the multimodal paths is reckless.