not really
 

the villages golf cart paths are mostly not public streets

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB 949 Thursday, a bill sponsored by Rep. Cyndi Stevenson, R- St. Johns, that officially bans young drivers from public streets.

14 YO driving golf carts
 

It's about time. Safety is the issue here, not grandparents' pride of letting their youngsters drive GC in TV. I've seen it so many times...the youngsters are simply inexperienced and there isn't enough time for grandparents/adults to communicate instructions and have youngsters react in time in order to make corrections/reactions. Our home CC just instituted this same rule. Safety is first, not someone's pride!

No law can regulate poor judgment. As the saying goes, "you can't fix stupid".

Saw a cart yesterday, a couple in front, and a woman holding an infant on the back seat, facing backward. No seat belt. Nothing between her and the pavement but thin air and the (assumed) skills of the elderly guy at the wheel.

I don't know if there are laws against that. But how many laws need to be passed before people stop being a danger to themselves? The list is probably endless.

The Drivers License Compact which states enter into with other states agree that a ticket vor a moving traffic violation will appear on your WI drivers record.

I totally get and appreciate the law. It was needed. We even observed two young girls who ran a four-wheel ATV into a ditch.

Different times. I grew up on a farm and was driving my dad's milk cans to town in a pickup truck when I was 13. The local cop said "no problem" as long as I behaved.

To my understanding the MMPs are private property but a property damage or personal injury accident can involve law enforcement. That's the brief we received at the newcomer's briefing when we moved here. I forgot the judge's name but he's retired now.

Golf carts
 

The three most dangerous act I've seen on a golf cart: child driver; pet or child in the driver's lap; and alcohol in the driver's hand. All could cause an accident and should result in a ticket/fine. Oh and all pets/children should wear a seat belt.

Hold on...
 

Wait a minute. It did not say that you will require a driver license to operate a golf cart. The article stated that, "If you're 18 and older, you have to have valid government-issued identification", and that is what you will be given instead of a driver license should you get a DUI in a car.

Here is the newly amended form of HB 949 effective 10/1/2023:


(7) A golf cart may not be operated on public roads or
streets by a person:

(a) Who is under 18 years of age unless he or she
possesses a valid learner's driver license or valid driver
license.

(b) Who is 18 years of age or older unless he or she
possesses a valid form of government-issued photographic
identification.


No loss of golf cart usage from a DUI.

We purchased in TV April 2006. There have several fatalities with golf carts and all adults. I’m not saying the new law is bad but I am saying a well supervised 14-15 year old is very capable of driving a golf cart. Next law will be that 80 year olds seniors can no longer drive a golf cart in The Villages. Too old! Careful what you wish for.

IMHO - if you need to be 16 in most states to get a drivers permit, I can’t see why TV (Florida) allows 14 yo to drive golf carts. Many times they are on the public roads and rarely know rules of etiquette.

I must be looking in the wrong place; haven't seen any articles about 14 year olds in golf cart accidents. Where can I read more about the "too many times" that you have seen?

What were the injuries from what you saw?

An ATV in the Villages is already against the law. But running into a ditch? There are ditches in the Villages?

You drove a pickup on a road at 13 and lived to tell about it yet driving a sped-limited golf cart on paths in a retirement community is now unsafe at 14?

Exactly! (though I believe the law is unnecessary)

Somewhat significant difference between a 4,000 pound automobile capable of traveling over 80 mph and a 500(?) pound golf cart with a top speed in the 20s.

How many age laws are we going to have?

Vote 18
Drink 21
Smoke 21
Drivers License 16
Learners Permit 15
Boat ?
Golf cart Evolving
Dirt dike ?
Motorcycle 16
Minor child criminal laws(except murder) up to18
Murder can be under 18
Statutory rape victim 16 and younger, even if girl consents.
Get Married 18

Lived here for 3 years and 1st saw what I thought was a young person driving a cart was last week. Was with a person who was old enough to be her grand father. How many accidents are caused by these under 16 year olds?

Golf cart accidents
 

As I understand, all the fatalities (very serious accidents) in golf carts have all been adults. Most involved a collision with a car. Accidents involving 14 and 15 olds I haven’t seen or heard of any. But not every minor accident in a golf cart may not be reported. I’ve been in The Villages 17 years. How time flies!

No non service dogs in restaurants or business either