[cashman]

A car with a license is superior in all situations to an unlicensed vehicle.

We are a bit unusual in TV with golf carts going places where there is no golf.

When no rules exist or when we overlook them willingly as we do with our carts then we must use manners in dealing with this issue.

Without manners this loose situation will surely cause some dangerous results.

[Regor]

The above situation did happen to a friend of mine. the lady in the car that turned in front of him and caused $1300 in damages to his cart, was ticketed for not not yielding or an improper turn. I can't remember which but the thing is, she (the car) was at fault.

[downeaster]

[QUOTE=Regor;287689]The above situation did happen to a friend of mine. the lady in the car that turned in front of him and caused $1300 in damages to his cart, was ticketed for not not yielding or an improper turn. I can't remember which but the thing is, she (the car) was at fault.[/QUOT

And here is why the car was at fault.

Statute 316.085 is titled limitations on overtaking, passing, changing lanes or changing course.It reads:
(1)No vehicle shall be driven to the left side of the center of the roadway in overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction unless authorized by the provisions of this chapter and unless such left side is clearly visible and is free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance ahead to permit such overtaking and passing to be completely made without interfering with the operation of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction of any vehicle overtaken. In every event the overtaking vehicle must return to an authorized lane of travel as soon as practicable and, in the event the passing movement involves the use of a lane authorized for vehicles approaching from the opposite direction, before coming within 200 feet of any approaching vehicle.
(2) No vehicle shall be driven from a direct course in any lane on any highway until the driver has determined that the vehicle is not being approached or passed by any other vehicle in the lane or on the side to which the driver desires to move and that the move can be completely made with safety and without interfering with the safe operation of any vehicle approaching from the same direction.

[pauld315]

I thnk common sense should prevail here.. I would consider the golf cart lane and the regular lane as one lane. Whoever is in front has the right of way. Of course, if it is a car in the front, they need to use their directional signals to show their intentions. Nothing irritates me more than people who don't think they need to use their directional signals, even when it is obvious. What are they trying to do, save their flasher and bulbs ?

[Pturner]

This could happen to a bicyclist too!

There is no way, in my mind, that a driver should cut off a golf cart or bicycle to make a right turn. But we all realize that there are people who would do this. Therefore, when in my cart or on a bicycle and I'm about to pass a street bisecting at right, I try to glance quickly behind me to see if a car is approaching that could overtake me and turn right. If a car is close enough that it could overtake me, I slow and let the car pass the intersection (or bisection) before I do. Perhaps I shouldn't do this, but I'd rather be wrong than dead.

[Mikeod]

I am frequently amazed at the people in cars who drive as if the carts on the road are not there. By this I mean those who block a cart from merging at designated spots near intersections or gates. And those, like the one described in the initial post, who pass a cart and immediately turn in front of the cart. In my cart, I always assume the auto is going to do something stupid in front of me. When in my auto, I anticipate those instances when a cart may need to merge into the travel lane and when I need to turn right when a cart is traveling in the same direction. Better for me to slow and allow the cart to pass on the right or merge than to speed up and try to beat the cart to the turn. Share the road is a good concept.

[Coconuts]

Originally Posted by Pturner

This could happen to a bicyclist too!

There is no way, in my mind, that a driver should cut off a golf cart or bicycle to make a right turn. But we all realize that there are people who would do this. Therefore, when in my cart or on a bicycle and I'm about to pass a street bisecting at right, I try to glance quickly behind me to see if a car is approaching that could overtake me and turn right. If a car is close enough that it could overtake me, I slow and let the car pass the intersection (or bisection) before I do. Perhaps I shouldn't do this, but I'd rather be wrong than dead.

What she said......Just common sense.

[Talk Host]

Common Sense? How altruistic. Sadly, common sense never prevails. But then, what is "common sense" to one isn't so with another. We all know that. Therefore, everything has to be defined by law. That's why there are millions of laws on the books.

JLK

[elevatorman]

Maybe the answer is to do away with the cart lanes. Have the carts drive in the regular lanes. Yes it would slow the flow of traffic, but is that so bad. It would just be through our neighborhoods.

[cashman]

[quote=downeaster;287697]

Originally Posted by Regor

The above situation did happen to a friend of mine. the lady in the car that turned in front of him and caused $1300 in damages to his cart, was ticketed for not not yielding or an improper turn. I can't remember which but the thing is, she (the car) was at fault.[/QUOT

And here is why the car was at fault.

Statute 316.085 is titled limitations on overtaking, passing, changing lanes or changing course.It reads:
(1)No vehicle shall be driven to the left side of the center of the roadway in overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction unless authorized by the provisions of this chapter and unless such left side is clearly visible and is free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance ahead to permit such overtaking and passing to be completely made without interfering with the operation of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction of any vehicle overtaken. In every event the overtaking vehicle must return to an authorized lane of travel as soon as practicable and, in the event the passing movement involves the use of a lane authorized for vehicles approaching from the opposite direction, before coming within 200 feet of any approaching vehicle.
(2) No vehicle shall be driven from a direct course in any lane on any highway until the driver has determined that the vehicle is not being approached or passed by any other vehicle in the lane or on the side to which the driver desires to move and that the move can be completely made with safety and without interfering with the safe operation of any vehicle approaching from the same direction.

When you quote laws without including definitions you may confuse the issue.

The definition of "vehicle" is key here. What is it?

I believe Florida usually defines "vehicle", in its traffic laws, as a licensed
vehicle.

If this definition is used are golf carts licensed.

Also is a cart path considered to be part of a road used by licensed vehicles?

[ajbrown]

I am not good at looking up law, but are folks thinking there is no law on the books that put the driver of the car at fault for crossing in front of a golf cart in such a way that it causes an accident or endangers the operator of a golf cart.

I would bet a beer (at happy hour) that is not the case . The driver of the car must be at fault in this example.

So I say to the police officer, "I needed to turn into the side street and I was told in TV cars always have the right of way, so I cut the guy in the cart. He will be fine once we get his cart out of the ditch".

I believe, doing this to a bike rider is known as a "right hook" and in that case the driver of the car is at fault.

/* Alan is no lawyer */

[snitzel]

This very question came up recently at the golf cart safe driving school a few weeks ago. The Sumter County Deputy Sheriff answered it this way: Obviously a car should not intentionally cut off a golf cart. But what is important is that the car make its intentions known so as not to make the driver of the golf cart wonder what is about to happen. The deputy sheriff recommended that prior to making a right turn the car should safely merge into the golf cart lane prior to turning right. In this way the car will prevent the golf cart from attempting to pass on the right or from entering its blind spot as the car slows to make its turn.

[Lou Card]

Originally Posted by snitzel

This very question came up recently at the golf cart safe driving school a few weeks ago. The Sumter County Deputy Sheriff answered it this way: Obviously a car should not intentionally cut off a golf cart. But what is important is that the car make its intentions known so as not to make the driver of the golf cart wonder what is about to happen. The deputy sheriff recommended that prior to making a right turn the car should safely merge into the golf cart lane prior to turning right. In this way the car will prevent the golf cart from attempting to pass on the right or from entering its blind spot as the car slows to make its turn.

I have been in this situation in my cart and my car. This reply sounds like the best advise, and unless told otherwise, I will follow this example for me when in a car. If I don't have safe room to move over into the cart lane before the turn, I will wait for the cart to pass first then make my right turn. If I am in my cart, I will yield to the big guy no matter who gets there first.

[swrinfla]

May I complicate the discussion a little?

I am seeing lots more "street legal" carts enjoying traveling out with the big guys.

Since they must be licensed and equipped like an automobile, do automobile rules (whatever they may be) apply when they're on the street and golf cart rules (whatever they may be) when they're on a "multi-modal transportation path?" Or, ??????

Frankly, I worry about the safety of all as "street legals" proliferate.

SWR

[Talk Host]

Originally Posted by snitzel

. The deputy sheriff recommended that prior to making a right turn the car should safely merge into the golf cart lane prior to turning right. In this way the car will prevent the golf cart from attempting to pass on the right or from entering its blind spot as the car slows to make its turn.

With all due respect Mr. Deputy Sheriff, this advice is a lot of hooey. Advising automobiles to start driving in the golf cart lanes is insanity.

"Blind Spot?" Every time these cars would drift into the cart lane the carts are in their "blind spot."


Not only do golf carts use those side lanes, but so do bicycles, walkers and runners. The notion that cars should be invited to use those lanes for any reason is making this situation worse.

Those lanes are for golf carts, walkers, bikers and runners. Not cars.

Think for a moment about the walker coming up to an intersection in the golf cart lane, with the intention of walking a left turn. Suddenly, there is now an automobile veering into the lane right at you.

It's dangerous enough for Golf Carts to merge into traffic lanes to make a left turn, let alone telling cars to drive in the golf cart lane to make a right turn.
Just because the deputy was wearing a badge doesn't mean he is an expert.

I wish I had been at this meeting. I'm no expert either, but "commons sense" as described earlier is at play here.