Speeding of Carts and Cars and Trucks

[bbbbbb]

Speed is a problem, many of us see it and know of it.

So, 30 mph is 44 feet per second. I can show you how to find the math for this or take my word for it, this is accurate. At 60 mph you are moving at 88 feet per second. When we bought a new cart, I made them certify it would not exceed 20 mph. OK that is fine, but we are passed by carts moving at twice our speed and some of them are clearly upset at us. We do not have an emphasis on this danger in the Villages.
Could we start a civil discussion on this before several persons including children are killed or severely maimed?

[biker1]

You will find a lot of carts cruising around at 20-22 mph. While I would guess that there are some that are capable of doing 40 mph, I believe that is far from typical. I have never been passed when doing 20 mph but I have passed carts doing what I would guess was 15 mph and less. The fastest cart I personally know of is a friend's cart that can do 27 mph. That is a somewhat scary speed.

Speed is a problem, many of us see it and know of it.

So, 30 mph is 44 feet per second. I can show you how to find the math for this or take my word for it, this is accurate. At 60 mph you are moving at 88 feet per second. When we bought a new cart, I made them certify it would not exceed 20 mph. OK that is fine, but we are passed by carts moving at twice our speed and some of them are clearly upset at us. We do not have an emphasis on this danger in the Villages.
Could we start a civil discussion on this before several persons including children are killed or severely maimed?

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

You will find a lot of carts cruising around at 20-22 mph. While I would guess that there are some that are capable of doing 40 mph, I believe that is far from typical. I have never been passed when doing 20 mph but I have passed carts doing what I would guess was 15 mph and less. The fastest cart I personally know of is a friend's cart that can do 27 mph. That is a somewhat scary speed.

I agree 100%. Many carts may be capable of going 22-23 mph, but I've only heard of carts going 40. I've only seen street legal carts going faster than that. That being said, I've had my cart up to 30 mph going down a big hill and that is scary.

[CathyandJohn]

We purchased a Atomic and requested it be set for Villages golf cart speed which, I believe, is 22. We get passed quite often and it bothers us, as we are going what is to be allowed. Just Saturday evening we were passed by a person who flew around us then immediately cut in front of us. My husband honked at them because they were cutting in front of us too soon and they just flipped their hand at us like we were in the wrong. You are correct. Something needs to be done before a very serious accident happens.

[biker1]

Actually the law is 20 mph for non-street legal and 25 mph for street legal.

We purchased a Atomic and requested it be set for Villages golf cart speed which, I believe, is 22. We get passed quite often and it bothers us, as we are going what is to be allowed. Just Saturday evening we were passed by a person who flew around us then immediately cut in front of us. My husband honked at them because they were cutting in front of us too soon and they just flipped their hand at us like we were in the wrong. You are correct. Something needs to be done before a very serious accident happens.

[UpNorth]

According to what I've read, even if you just OWN a cart that can go above the speed limit, you are in violation and subject to arrest. My speedometer could be saying 20mph and yet I have carts passing me every day. Most are gas powered, likely modified by their owners. Modifying a cart to go faster than the speed limit is a serious offence; that's why the pros won't risk losing their mechanics license.

[golfing eagles]

According to what I've read, even if you just OWN a cart that can go above the speed limit, you are in violation and subject to arrest. My speedometer could be saying 20mph and yet I have carts passing me every day. Most are gas powered, likely modified by their owners. Modifying a cart to go faster than the speed limit is a serious offence; that's why the pros won't risk losing their mechanics license.

That doesn't make sense to me. Unless a LEO catches you going over 20, how is it enforceable? Knock, Knock on your door at 2 AM---we're here to test drive your cart?

[biker1]

I have wondered the same thing. I believe what we are looking at is a strange way the law is written. Apparently, the offense is possessing a cart that is capable of exceeding 20 mph but this only becomes an issue when you are actually observed going over 20 mph (otherwise, how would anyone know?). If isn't clear to me that there is actually an offense for going over 20 mph. Just speculating...

That doesn't make sense to me. Unless a LEO catches you going over 20, how is it enforceable? Knock, Knock on your door at 2 AM---we're here to test drive your cart?

[biker1]

You will not be "arrested" as in hauled off in handcuffs and booked. You will get a citation and have to go to court.

According to what I've read, even if you just OWN a cart that can go above the speed limit, you are in violation and subject to arrest. My speedometer could be saying 20mph and yet I have carts passing me every day. Most are gas powered, likely modified by their owners. Modifying a cart to go faster than the speed limit is a serious offence; that's why the pros won't risk losing their mechanics license.

[DonH57]

That doesn't make sense to me. Unless a LEO catches you going over 20, how is it enforceable? Knock, Knock on your door at 2 AM---we're here to test drive your cart?

Exactly. :agree:

[graciegirl]

Speed is a problem, many of us see it and know of it.

So, 30 mph is 44 feet per second. I can show you how to find the math for this or take my word for it, this is accurate. At 60 mph you are moving at 88 feet per second. When we bought a new cart, I made them certify it would not exceed 20 mph. OK that is fine, but we are passed by carts moving at twice our speed and some of them are clearly upset at us. We do not have an emphasis on this danger in the Villages.
Could we start a civil discussion on this before several persons including children are killed or severely maimed?

I have lost track but it is upwards of 15 people killed in golf cart accidents here in TV in the last ten years. You are right to want to discuss it, and I imagine more laws could be passed, but we will still have speeding, and impatient people, and drunk people and careless people and people who need to have cataracts removed and some who need their heads removed from their heinies.

You cannot legislate morality or good common sense. So drive defensively and when it gets real busy, drive your cars. I don't want any of you to be hurt or die. AND please don't let the grandkids take the cart out by themselves. I may kill them myself if they are showing off or being disrespectful. We won't let our 27 year old grandson drive the cart alone and he did his internship in Los Angeles.

[ColdNoMore]

One of my biggest concerns as the owner of an electric cart that does not have regenerative braking, is having it gain speed on long downhills such as southbound on Morse north of 466.

I have seen police hiding near the postal area 9east side of road, north of Tierra Del Sol?) and I try to remember to pinch it down a bit just in case I am running faster than 20 mph.

[patfla06]

I am passed every single time I'm in my cart.
You're retired, so why are you always in a hurry?

[TVMayor]

A while back a gas golf cart caught my attention because of the exhaust sound. Minutes later that golf cart and I were at the postal station. Being a hot rod lover I went and talked to the driver of that golf cart. He told me he swapped out the original engine for a larger more horsepower engine. With that it would go 35mph put the brakes were not up to the task, so he installed disc breaks. I asked what the open ended metal box at the upper left corner of the windshield was for and he said it was for his radar detector.

[Sandtrap328]

The speed limit on carts that are not street legal is 20 mph and they can be on public streets that have a speedlimit of 30 or less. Street legal carts have a speed limit of 25 and can be on public streets with speedlimits of 35 or less.

Get caught speeding in a cart by the police and it is an expensive lesson, I have been told.

A bigger thing is your cart insurance. Your insurance may not pay for liability when your cart is checked after an accident and it is found to be capable of speeds higher than 20 mph or 25 mph for street legal.

[golfing eagles]

A while back a gas golf cart caught my attention because of the exhaust sound. Minutes later that golf cart and I were at the postal station. Being a hot rod lover I went and talked to the driver of that golf cart. He told me he swapped out the original engine for a larger more horsepower engine. With that it would go 35mph put the brakes were not up to the task, so he installed disc breaks. I asked what the open ended metal box at the upper left corner of the windshield was for and he said it was for his radar detector.

Well, if you are going to intentionally violate the law, might as well do it right:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

[MikeV]

If you are caught going over 20mph on a public street in a golf cart you will not get a speeding ticket. You will get an unregistered vehicle ticket. When you go to court you have to bring proof the cart has been set back to 20mph. The cost can be up to $500 and make sure you do not wear shorts to court or you will either be asked to come back or put at the end of the docket.

[village dreamer]

maybe the police need to give out tickets on the cart paths ??????

[Mikeod]

That doesn't make sense to me. Unless a LEO catches you going over 20, how is it enforceable? Knock, Knock on your door at 2 AM---we're here to test drive your cart?
A few years ago I was driving my cart back from Glenview along Oak Forest and a deputy was on a side street with radar/laser and caught me at 24 mph. Fortunately, I had just had my electric cart motor replaced under warranty and showed him the repair slip. I got a warning to have the cart adjusted to 20 mph. So, they are out there and, as noted above, it's a hassle if they find your cart can exceed 20.

[villagetinker]

I had my car out with a GPS that reads to the tenth of a mile per hour. I was doing 30.4 MPH on Pinellas Place, when I was passed by a golf cart in the GC lane, had to be doing 32 or 33 MPH. I see carts passing carts a few times per week from my house, and the ones being passed look like they are easily doing more then 15 - 20 mph.

While I am concerned about this behavior, one of our fellow villagers in another thread pointed out that everyone has a different level of risk that they are comfortable with. So as long as they do not directly interfere with my quality of life, I am not going to worry about it. The only concern I have is when they push the limit of whatever they are doing too far, and I get to call 911.

The other thing I have noticed is that there appears to be a lack of enforcement in this state. I have actually witnessed a car go through a red light, while a police office (Wildwood) was sitting at the light, and nothing was done! Similar occurrences with speeding, where a car was going significantly faster them mine, and I was at or just above the speed limit going past the apparent radar trap, no enforcement.....
JMHO

[UpNorth]

That doesn't make sense to me. Unless a LEO catches you going over 20, how is it enforceable? Knock, Knock on your door at 2 AM---we're here to test drive your cart?

Just get in an accident, even one where you were going 10mph. The cops arrive and your cart is checked to see if it has been altered to exceed 20mph. Get out your wallet if it does. And then pay for any damages from the accident. If you have cart insurance, they will not likely pay if you are driving an illegal cart.

[Nucky]

If you drive a golf cart over 20mph I feel sorry for you. I don't care if your Mr. Good Wrench, you could stand on your head and spit Chicklet's...it's not criminal...it's also not safe. I'm a little upset with speeding because it has cost me so many people in my life and for what? It's senseless. I definitely understand that people have a speed shutoff in their brain or they don't, all three of our boy's who are now grown men have the switch but it doesn't work, they drive like it's a video game. Now they have children, our grandchildren in the car with them and they still drive like pinheads. Three good kids who show good decision making skills except for this area. I've tried to tell them it's disrespectful to drive so fast but they decline my advise....I don't repeat myself or I'll end up being a nudge. So what chance is there that someone of retirement age will change the habits of a lifetime....not much. Just don't hit me or mine when your speeding in your cart driving like a fool to get to the pool. I rest my case! :pray:

[l2ridehd]

I have a speedometer on my cart. I have checked it against my GPS and car and it's very close to being accurate. I can't find any variance to actual. It registers 19 to 20 most of time. Occasionally when alone, no golf clubs, slight downhill, it will go 21. Or at least show 21. But it won't sustain it very long.

I have had carts pass me, but very few. And when they do it's a slow process. So maybe there are carts out there that will go 22, even 23 or 24. But 30? I personally have never seen it and I have serious doubts it's possible.

However I have passed many carts going 15 to 16. Even had a couple yell at me for passing and yet they were going around 14 or 15 mph. So please before you go looking for LEO to police us more, make sure your cart speed is actually doing 20 mph.

[TomOB]

Police do give out tickets for speeding carts, but I believe only on roads, not multi-modal trails. I know a few people that have been cited. It is an expensive ticket. It is also bad for you drive train and brakes.

[alma283]

My first cart was street legal and has to be able to go 35-40. Only time I drove that fast if I was on the street otherwise 20 was my limit. However I had golf carts pass me all the time.

[Goober III]

While driving my car on El Camino, I slowed to pace a golf cart running on the parallel cart path. She was doing 30 mph!

[2BNTV]

I can honestly say that many times I have been passed on the golf cart paths. My cart can 19.5 MPH and it seems to have a governor on it when going downhill, holding my speed to under 20 MPH.

Several times people have passed me, like I was standing still.

I for one like the serenity of an electric cart and leave my home with enough time to get where I need to go on time, but that's me...........

My understanding is that getting caught speeding is very expensive, as you receive a fine and be made to modify the cart to do 20 MPH.

Personally, I'd rather have peace of mind.

BTW - I agree we will never modify anyone's behavior as the people that speed will continue to do so until caught, or even worse, wind up in an accident. It's sad when someone gets killed in a golf cart accident after they have lived this long.

[John_W]

maybe the police need to give out tickets on the cart paths ??????

The MMP (Multi-modal-paths) are on private property in TV. I've been under the impression that the police will only ticket carts on the MMP if you have open containers of alcohol, but no speeding tickets since it's private. The speeding enforcement by police is normally conducted on public streets that have a cart path lane, such as St. Charles, Pinellas, Hillsborough, etc.

[Barefoot]

We get passed quite often and it bothers us, as we are going what is to be allowed.
There will always be carts that pass you in The Villages and cars that pass you on I-75. Please don't let it bother you.

[perrjojo]

You will find a lot of carts cruising around at 20-22 mph. While I would guess that there are some that are capable of doing 40 mph, I believe that is far from typical. I have never been passed when doing 20 mph but I have passed carts doing what I would guess was 15 mph and less. The fastest cart I personally know of is a friend's cart that can do 27 mph. That is a somewhat scary speed.

Our cart will do 19.9 and we have been passed at that speed several times by non street legal carts. No, it doesn't happen every day but it does happen.

[Topspinmo]

Citzen Kane can't force traffic laws, only people that respect the law can. we have trained paid public police officers for this duty. I can only control my actions. For the AHs that tailgate I break for dogs, ducks, turtles, two legged foxes.

You can complain all you want but only law emforcement can control it. I would like to see roving radar cameras camofloged set to 5 miles over the speed limit so if your going 41 in 35 bamb! You get nailed. Why 5 miles over? Takes calibration of equipment out of the equation. This will be the only way to stop the obnoxious habitual speeder.

[perrjojo]

You will not be "arrested" as in hauled off in handcuffs and booked. You will get a citation and have to go to court.k
Yes, and the fine can come up to about 750.00 plus you must show your cart has been adjusted to the legal speed.

[perrjojo]

I am passed every single time I'm in my cart.
You're retired, so why are you always in a hurry?
Amen!

[perrjojo]

A while back a gas golf cart caught my attention because of the exhaust sound. Minutes later that golf cart and I were at the postal station. Being a hot rod lover I went and talked to the driver of that golf cart. He told me he swapped out the original engine for a larger more horsepower engine. With that it would go 35mph put the brakes were not up to the task, so he installed disc breaks. I asked what the open ended metal box at the upper left corner of the windshield was for and he said it was for his radar detector.
Jeesh!

[RickeyD]

This thread is scaring the sh-- out of me. Gonna go cut the wire tie from my governor bellcrank right now [emoji15]

[asianthree]

That doesn't make sense to me. Unless a LEO catches you going over 20, how is it enforceable? Knock, Knock on your door at 2 AM---we're here to test drive your cart?

:1rotfl::1rotfl:

[outlaw]

That doesn't make sense to me. Unless a LEO catches you going over 20, how is it enforceable? Knock, Knock on your door at 2 AM---we're here to test drive your cart?

I hope you realize that you just planted the seed that unless we mandate an annual inspection we will not be safe. Thank you for sharing.

[biker1]

I have not heard of it happening (yet) but I would guess they can stop you on the MMPs for "reckless driving", as they can if they have reason to suspect you have been drinking.

The MMP (Multi-modal-paths) are on private property in TV. I've been under the impression that the police will only ticket carts on the MMP if you have open containers of alcohol, but no speeding tickets since it's private. The speeding enforcement by police is normally conducted on public streets that have a cart path lane, such as St. Charles, Pinellas, Hillsborough, etc.

[outlaw]

I drive frequently on the main roads in TV. Based on my traveling speed and my many experiences driving around here, I estimate that 80-90% of drivers are speeding on these main roads. Anywhere from 3-4 mph over to 15 mph over. So you have to ask yourself, if that many drivers speed, could it be that the virtually arbitrary speed limit is too low for these roads? When exactly did we surrender our rational thinking capabilities to the bureaucrats so they could tell us how we should behave? Remember the 55 mph speed limit on interstates? The typical traffic flow was more like 65 mph. Were you all up in arms about speeders going 65 mph, then? Now the speed limit is back up to 70-75 mph. nothing changed other than the government decided on another arbitrary speed limit, and justified it with a bunch of bs "analysis". As for the golf carts, I can only deduce that the constant complaining regarding someone going 22 or 23 or 25 mph is somehow related to the aging process and a busybody attitude. Why in the heck would anyone get upset at getting passed going 20 mph is beyond me. It's as if you are reverting back to your childhood days when you would get upset because someone in the classroom was staring at you. There is one very good safety reason for a golf cart to have the capability to go over 20 mph; when passing a golf cart going 15 mph. Modern automobiles have always had this acceleration feature; even police recognize safely speeding to pass a slower moving vehicle on a two lane road. It's about getting back into your lane as quickly as possible. Really, what is the difference in having a modified muscle car and a modified golf cart? The only difference is one of 70,000 laws on the books.

[VApeople]

I estimate that 80-90% of drivers are speeding on these main roads. Anywhere from 3-4 mph over to 15 mph over. So you have to ask yourself, if that many drivers speed, could it be that the virtually arbitrary speed limit is too low for these roads?

No, I do not have to ask myself that question. I am perfectly happy to obey the posted speed limit. If you want to drive faster, it is fine with me. I am used to other drivers flying past me.

[VApeople]

Speed is a problem, many of us see it and know of it.
Could we start a civil discussion on this before several persons including children are killed or severely maimed?

My advice is to accept the world as it is and learn how to deal with it. Other people are not going to change their behavior just to make you happy.

If it bothers you that people drive their cart too fast, then drive a car so you will not be injured when a cart runs into you.

If it bothers you that people drive their cars too fast, either learn to deal with it, as we have done, or use public transportation. Life is simple.

[Bogie Shooter]

Speed is a problem, many of us see it and know of it.

So, 30 mph is 44 feet per second. I can show you how to find the math for this or take my word for it, this is accurate. At 60 mph you are moving at 88 feet per second. When we bought a new cart, I made them certify it would not exceed 20 mph. OK that is fine, but we are passed by carts moving at twice our speed and some of them are clearly upset at us. We do not have an emphasis on this danger in the Villages.
Could we start a civil discussion on this before several persons including children are killed or severely maimed?

Do you mean on here? Or someplace else? What do you mean by "civil discussion"?

[Mikeod]

So you have to ask yourself, if that many drivers speed, could it be that the virtually arbitrary speed limit is too low for these roads? When exactly did we surrender our rational thinking capabilities to the bureaucrats so they could tell us how we should behave?
The speed limits on our roads within TV are not really arbitrary. The main roads, Morse and Buena Vista, along with El Camino and parts of Stillwater, are 35 mph because that's the maximum that allows LSVs to use the road. Other roads are 30 mph with a diamond lane on the side because that's the maximum that allows carts to share the roadway.

[outlaw]

The speed limits on our roads within TV are not really arbitrary. The main roads, Morse and Buena Vista, along with El Camino and parts of Stillwater, are 35 mph because that's the maximum that allows LSVs to use the road. Other roads are 30 mph with a diamond lane on the side because that's the maximum that allows carts to share the roadway.

Good point. I didn't think that public roads such as MB and BVB would be controlled by about 0.1% of the traffic that uses those roads. It's a little different with the diamond lanes, which have orders of magnitude more usage by carts than MB (south of 466) and BVB. No wonder so many people speed on BVB; the general public instinctively feel the speed limit is too slow given the very sparse LSV traffic.

[outlaw]

If you want a cause to run with, consider drinking and driving (and drunk driving) golf carts. I would bet serious money it is many times more prevalent in TV than golf cart speeding.

[Sandtrap328]

If you want a cause to run with, consider drinking and driving (and drunk driving) golf carts. I would bet serious money it is many times more prevalent in TV than golf cart speeding.

It sure is a lot more dangerous!

[Shimpy]

There will always be carts that pass you in The Villages and cars that pass you on I-75. Please don't let it bother you.

:agree:

[Shimpy]

. Why in the heck would anyone get upset at getting passed going 20 mph is beyond me. It's as if you are reverting back to your childhood days when you would get upset because someone in the classroom was staring at you. There is one very good safety reason for a golf cart to have the capability to go over 20 mph; when passing a golf cart going 15 mph. Modern automobiles have always had this acceleration feature; even police recognize safely speeding to pass a slower moving vehicle on a two lane road. It's about getting back into your lane as quickly as possible. Really, what is the difference in having a modified muscle car and a modified golf cart? The only difference is one of 70,000 laws on the books.
You hit the nail on the head............Our MMP's have many curves and gives us few open areas to pass on. We need the power to pass and get back into our lane asap.

[red tail]

:agree:You hit the nail on the head............Our MMP's have many curves and gives us few open areas to pass on. We need the power to pass and get back into our lane asap.

[Topspinmo]

This thread is scaring the sh-- out of me. Gonna go cut the wire tie from my governor bellcrank right now [emoji15]

Most just screw the governor nut back where it suppose to be.

[rubicon]

This topic has been re-constituted more times than the poop thread. Each and every time its discussed we have those who abhor being passed by a cart and those who abhor slow drivers. We have those who believe a cart going anywhere over 20.0 mph are evil doers and those who believe anyone going slower than 15.0 on cart paths cause them to say "while I'm young"

I do believe maintaining an average speed of 17-19 mph on cart paths is inherently better for everyone And I'll make book that most accident are not caused by speed but rather the age physical condition of the driver, distractions or sudden illness.

the same people that complain about golf cart speeds are the same people that travel 30 mph in the left lane of 466 466A or 441 and insist that no one pass them
they are the same people that take up a lot space and about 40 seconds to make a right turn.

I may be retired but I am not dead yet

[looneycat]

One of my biggest concerns as the owner of an electric cart that does not have regenerative braking, is having it gain speed on long downhills such as southbound on Morse north of 466.

I have seen police hiding near the postal area 9east side of road, north of Tierra Del Sol?) and I try to remember to pinch it down a bit just in case I am running faster than 20 mph.

pssst! the pedal on the left is a brake.....:wave:

[buzzy]

This topic has been re-constituted more times than the poop thread. Each and every time its discussed we have those who abhor being passed by a cart and those who abhor slow drivers. We have those who believe a cart going anywhere over 20.0 mph are evil doers and those who believe anyone going slower than 15.0 on cart paths cause them to say "while I'm young"

I do believe maintaining an average speed of 17-19 mph on cart paths is inherently better for everyone And I'll make book that most accident are not caused by speed but rather the age physical condition of the driver, distractions or sudden illness.

the same people that complain about golf cart speeds are the same people that travel 30 mph in the left lane of 466 466A or 441 and insist that no one pass them
they are the same people that take up a lot space and about 40 seconds to make a right turn.

I may be retired but I am not dead yet

Agree. I think there is a fairly large number of people who treat the speed limit as some daredevil stunt that they may have tried when they were younger, but not now that they have matured.

[ColdNoMore]

pssst! the pedal on the left is a brake.....:wave:

Pssst, I know that. ;)

Which is why I said "I pinch it down a bit." :wave:

[ColdNoMore]

If you want a cause to run with, consider drinking and driving (and drunk driving) golf carts. I would bet serious money it is many times more prevalent in TV than golf cart speeding.

It sure is a lot more dangerous!

That's for sure.

In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if a significant % of those complaining about being passed, have a BAC that would be illegal in an automobile and are simply venting their 'speed envy.' :D