[Bill-n-Brillo]

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

[chacam]

Originally Posted by zcaveman

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.

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.

[skip0358]

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?

[escapequeen]

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.

[red tail]

Originally Posted by skip0358

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?

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.

[skip0358]

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

[Vinny]

Originally Posted by Becky

Last week they were pulling them over in Belvedere and ticketing them.

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.

[memason]

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 ....

[BogeyBoy]

Originally Posted by memason

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 ....

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.)

[RichieLion]

Originally Posted by memason

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 ....

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 .......

[JimJoe]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

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 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.

[JimJoe]

Originally Posted by Taj44

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.

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

[memason]

Originally Posted by RichieLion

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 .......

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.

[laryb]

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.

[Shimpy]

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.