View Full Version : Minimum Age for Golf Cart drivers in the villages
richl
01-14-2014, 03:43 PM
Does any one out there think that 14 is too young to drive golf carts in the Villages besides me? I do not feel they have the maturity and knowledge to drive safely around here especially with the very sharp turns at the tunnels. I thoink it is a matter of time before we have a serious accident if it has not already happened. I would be curious to see how others feel.
rdhdleo
01-14-2014, 03:47 PM
Only if an adult is with them but not alone like many I have seen speeding around.
Indydealmaker
01-14-2014, 03:49 PM
Does any one out there think that 14 is too young to drive golf carts in the Villages besides me? I do not feel they have the maturity and knowledge to drive safely around here especially with the very sharp turns at the tunnels. I thoink it is a matter of time before we have a serious accident if it has not already happened. I would be curious to see how others feel.
I do not let my 15 year old grandson operate the golf cart here. There are too many drivers that are lost, sightseeing, nearly blind, think golf carts are toys or in a hurry for happy hour. One problem is that too many grandparents don't want to say NO or are just happy to see the kids entertained and out of their hair.
rubicon
01-14-2014, 04:06 PM
On the one hand residents desire to have their families experience "The Villages Lifestyle"and this is a good thing.
On the other hand residents need to educate their families about the do's and don'ts and to ensure that they are well acquainted and capable of driving this vehicle, after all it is a dangerous instrument in the wrong hands and certainly not a toy
clekr
01-14-2014, 04:15 PM
I think since you generally driving on the road you should have to have drivers licence
buggyone
01-14-2014, 04:29 PM
It is NOT a Villages policy but is the Florida legislature who made the age 14 for driving a golf cart.
Write or call your Florida rep, Mrs. O'Toole, and see if it be raised.
Her number is on the editorial page of The Daily Sun.
ajbrown
01-14-2014, 04:31 PM
Yes I think for most 14 year olds it is too young to be driving around some areas of TV. Driving around TV requires a lot of skills you learn when getting your license, i.e., how to merge, how to yield, maybe pass a bike or walker safely. I would include how to stop, but that straight line is too easy for you all.
ajbrown
01-14-2014, 04:59 PM
It is NOT a Villages policy but is the Florida legislature who made the age 14 for driving a golf cart.
Write or call your Florida rep, Mrs. O'Toole, and see if it be raised.
Her number is on the editorial page of The Daily Sun.
If I am reading it correctly, the city of Taveres has made the minimum age 16 to operate a cart on their streets.
Tavares, FL - Official Website - Golf Carts (http://www.tavares.org/index.aspx?NID=897)
In 2010, they considered only allowing licensed drives to operate a golf cart on the streets but the decided against that.
Tavares moves toward changes in golf-cart driving rule - Orlando Sentinel (http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2010-07-24/news/os-lk-tavares-golf-cart-ordinance-20100724_1_cart-drivers-license-requirement-unlicensed-drivers)
buggyone
01-14-2014, 05:05 PM
I wonder if the three counties and the towns that all comprise parts of The Villages could ever get together on such a ruling as in Tavares?
Since The Villages is not an incorporated town, it cannot pass rules like that.
Mickedamouse24
01-14-2014, 05:12 PM
Anyone operating golf carts around The Villages should be licensed. That means at least 16. Grandparents need to learn the word "NO!"
DonH57
01-14-2014, 06:41 PM
It would make sense if towns and cities made their own limits for whatever reasons they see fit.
Barefoot
01-14-2014, 06:51 PM
I think since you generally driving on the road you should have to have drivers licence
I think for most 14 year olds it is too young to be driving around some areas of TV. Driving around TV requires a lot of skills you learn when getting your license, i.e., how to merge, how to yield, maybe pass a bike or walker safely...
I agree that 14 is too young. I think any driver of a golf cart, whatever age, should have a driver's license. And that includes older residents.
JB in TV
01-14-2014, 06:56 PM
I agree that 14 is too young. I think any driver of a golf cart, whatever age, should have a driver's license. And that includes older residents.
:agree:
wendyquat
01-14-2014, 07:14 PM
:agree:
I agree that a drivers license should be required!
Mallory
01-14-2014, 08:27 PM
When my grandson was 14 and before he had acquired his learners permit, he started to drive our golf cart under my supervision. We went everywhere - around both town squares (SS & LSL), over the Morse bridge, over the bridge to the prehistoric area, all the way to Lopez, across the intersection at Colony, day and night & even in the rain at night. I was with him all the way and taught him to use hand signals & flashers. Went down Canal so he could experience going through signals and gates. Went on streets, cart lanes, and multi-modals again day and night. I put him through every situation I could imagine.
When I was satisfied that he could solo in a golf cart we allowed it. I would trust his handling of our carts more than many full time residents, snow birds, or seasonals.
He now has his license and we went through the same procedure in the car before he was allowed to solo in The Villages.
My point is that we just didn't let him take off in the cart without some rigorous instruction and supervision. Luckily he's very responsible and understands what he's doing on the road.
Teach your grandkids what they need to know before allowing them to just take off in your cart.
looneycat
01-14-2014, 09:06 PM
If I am reading it correctly, the city of Taveres has made the minimum age 16 to operate a cart on their streets.
Tavares, FL - Official Website - Golf Carts (http://www.tavares.org/index.aspx?NID=897)
In 2010, they considered only allowing licensed drives to operate a golf cart on the streets but the decided against that.
Tavares moves toward changes in golf-cart driving rule - Orlando Sentinel (http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2010-07-24/news/os-lk-tavares-golf-cart-ordinance-20100724_1_cart-drivers-license-requirement-unlicensed-drivers)
you can get a drivers license at 16 here so they couldn't make it older..but you are sharing the roads with 15 year olds with learner's permits so 14 doesn't seem too young for a cart...this is/was a rural area where 12 and 13 year olds drive tractors and farm trucks.
Dr Winston O Boogie jr
01-14-2014, 09:12 PM
My feeling is that in order to drive a golf cart on the public roads, one should have to possess a drivers license. How can we hold 14 year olds responsible for knowing the rules of the road when they have never been made to learn them?
Dr Winston O Boogie jr
01-14-2014, 09:17 PM
It is NOT a Villages policy but is the Florida legislature who made the age 14 for driving a golf cart.
Write or call your Florida rep, Mrs. O'Toole, and see if it be raised.
Her number is on the editorial page of The Daily Sun.
I believe that the states sets a minimum age and that counties, cities and towns can make an ordinance requiring an older age.
I don't exactly what a CCDD has the authority to do, but I'm sure that the town of Lady lake could raise the age as could the three counties.
gustavo
01-14-2014, 09:25 PM
Does any one out there think that 14 is too young to drive golf carts in the Villages besides me? I do not feel they have the maturity and knowledge to drive safely around here especially with the very sharp turns at the tunnels. I thoink it is a matter of time before we have a serious accident if it has not already happened. I would be curious to see how others feel.
I think 14 is ok. There are kids younger than this in the military in some African countries. Set the bar low you get low results. Make sure they know what they're doing and everything should be ok. Actually most of the cart accidents I've heard about involve people at the other end of the age spectrum.
DonH57
01-14-2014, 09:26 PM
Unfortunately I don't have grand children so I have to sometimes count on my dog for a designated driver for the cart after a great nite in the square. He's getting better at it!
Topspinmo
01-14-2014, 10:12 PM
Do we think there is magic age that make kids/people responsible and trustworthy? :ohdear: At 14 wasn't born with the silver spoon in my mouth I was driving combines, tractors, and farm trucks while most city kids was still playing with their Tonka toys.
Actually Now days I think to drive car should be at least 18. IMO that's about 13 of yester year. Think of all the lives that would save? I also believe that school campus should be closed for lunch. Don't need kids racing to Micky D's and maybe get in accident when they should of been on school grounds. But That's me others may disagree?
NoMoSno
01-15-2014, 07:34 AM
I wonder if a 14 yr. old can be issued a traffic ticket?
graciegirl
01-15-2014, 07:49 AM
Do we think there is magic age that make kids/people responsible and trustworthy? :ohdear: At 14 wasn't born with the silver spoon in my mouth I was driving combines, tractors, and farm trucks while most city kids was still playing with their Tonka toys.
Actually Now days I think to drive car should be at least 18. IMO that's about 13 of yester year. Think of all the lives that would save? I also believe that school campus should be closed for lunch. Don't need kids racing to Micky D's and maybe get in accident when they should of been on school grounds. But That's me others may disagree?
I understand what you are saying. In the Midwest, farm kids were very good drivers early on for that very reason. On the coasts in some large densely populated areas people sometimes never learn to drive or have very little experience driving due to using public transportation so much.
I often think the legal age to drive should be eighteen and insurance companies charge high rates for young drivers because the risk of accidents for them is so high. I would be for changing the driving age for golf carts to higher. It is DIFFICULT to get around in a golf cart here for any person new to this place and dangerous to allow young people to drive without supervision. Protect us and your sweet grandkids, grandparents and exercise your right to say no, but add honey.
redwitch
01-15-2014, 08:04 AM
I wonder if a 14 yr. old can be issued a traffic ticket?
A four-year-old on grandpa's lap can get a ticket if holding the steering wheel. The Sheriff takes a pic of the kid, issues them a temporary driver's license, gives them a ticket. The State then sends the ticket for a moving violation to the state where the child lives. The child hits the age for a learner's permit and finds out they can't get one; no license until they're 18 because they had a ticket for driving a golf cart illegally. Heck of a price for a youngster to pay cause gramps couldn't say no.
Villageswimmer
01-15-2014, 08:16 AM
A four-year-old on grandpa's lap can get a ticket if holding the steering wheel. The Sheriff takes a pic of the kid, issues them a temporary driver's license, gives them a ticket. The State then sends the ticket for a moving violation to the state where the child lives. The child hits the age for a learner's permit and finds out they can't get one; no license until they're 18 because they had a ticket for driving a golf cart illegally. Heck of a price for a youngster to pay cause gramps couldn't say no.
Really? This sounds incredible. Anyone experience this firsthand?
CFrance
01-15-2014, 08:43 AM
Do we think there is magic age that make kids/people responsible and trustworthy? :ohdear: At 14 wasn't born with the silver spoon in my mouth I was driving combines, tractors, and farm trucks while most city kids was still playing with their Tonka toys.
Actually Now days I think to drive car should be at least 18. IMO that's about 13 of yester year. Think of all the lives that would save? I also believe that school campus should be closed for lunch. Don't need kids racing to Micky D's and maybe get in accident when they should of been on school grounds. But That's me others may disagree?
I understand what you are saying. In the Midwest, farm kids were very good drivers early on for that very reason. On the coasts in some large densely populated areas people sometimes never learn to drive or have very little experience driving due to using public transportation so much.
I often think the legal age to drive should be eighteen and insurance companies charge high rates for young drivers because the risk of accidents for them is so high. I would be for changing the driving age for golf carts to higher. It is DIFFICULT to get around in a golf cart here for any person new to this place and dangerous to allow young people to drive without supervision. Protect us and your sweet grandkids, grandparents and exercise your right to say no, but add honey.
I agree with both of you. And as for thoroughly instructing a 14-year-old, that's good too. However, I think the problem arises when that thoroughly vetted 14-year-old is driving a cart with other kids in it. That's when their maturity or lack thereof kicks in.
Now as for the dog being the designated driver... just don't let him drive with other dogs!
buggyone
01-15-2014, 08:52 AM
I agree with both of you. And as for thoroughly instructing a 14-year-old, that's good too. However, I think the problem arises when that thoroughly vetted 14-year-old is driving a cart with other kids in it. That's when their maturity or lack thereof kicks in.
Now as for the dog being the designated driver... just don't let him drive with other dogs!
Florida state law says age 14. The Villages roads are public property. 14 year olds can legally drive on the public roads.
The multimodal trails are private roadways. How feasible would it be to forbid 14 year olds from driving on the trails but not the public roads?
Nope, this is just something that will have to be part of good grandparenting. Can't expect the government to take care of everything. Hide those cart keys when the grandkids arrive!!!
buggyone
01-15-2014, 09:09 AM
A four-year-old on grandpa's lap can get a ticket if holding the steering wheel. The Sheriff takes a pic of the kid, issues them a temporary driver's license, gives them a ticket. The State then sends the ticket for a moving violation to the state where the child lives. The child hits the age for a learner's permit and finds out they can't get one; no license until they're 18 because they had a ticket for driving a golf cart illegally. Heck of a price for a youngster to pay cause gramps couldn't say no.
Grampa would be the one getting a ticket for having the child in his lap steering the cart - not the situation you described. That is for the ones closer to driver license age.
DonH57
01-15-2014, 09:13 AM
A four-year-old on grandpa's lap can get a ticket if holding the steering wheel. The Sheriff takes a pic of the kid, issues them a temporary driver's license, gives them a ticket. The State then sends the ticket for a moving violation to the state where the child lives. The child hits the age for a learner's permit and finds out they can't get one; no license until they're 18 because they had a ticket for driving a golf cart illegally. Heck of a price for a youngster to pay cause gramps couldn't say no.
I don't doubt for a minute they would'nt do that. I wouldn't chance it. :22yikes:
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