No more 14 year old golf cart drivers

[Southwest737]

Who can drive a golf cart in Florida? New law changes legal age (https://news.yahoo.com/drive-golf-cart-florida-law-150949435.html)

[Chi-Town]

Glad to see it. It's good to know that drivers need some experience driving in traffic and negotiating intersections.

[Two Bills]

Will be totally ignored by TV grandparents.
Fall into same same category as Stop signs.
Rules only for other people.

[golfing eagles]

Will be totally ignored by TV grandparents.
Fall into same same category as Stop signs.
Rules only for other people.

Which is why I would have made the law a bit tougher-----1 year delay in any teenager's ability to get a learner's permit or license, and 3 points on grandpa's license + a $1000 fine.

Let's see how "cute" gramps thinks letting a 10 year old drive is then.

[Papa_lecki]

Which is why I would have made the law a bit tougher-----1 year delay in any teenager's ability to get a learner's permit or license, and 3 points on grandpa's license + a $1000 fine.

Let's see how "cute" gramps thinks letting a 10 year old drive is then.

Most grand kids are from out of state - that restriction would only hold water for grands from FLA - can’t cross state lines

[fdpaq0580]

Which is why I would have made the law a bit tougher-----1 year delay in any teenager's ability to get a learner's permit or license, and 3 points on grandpa's license + a $1000 fine.

Let's see how "cute" gramps thinks letting a 10 year old drive is then.

Oh, you mean old man!

Actually, I agree 99.9%. The .1% is for when "Gramps" is having an emergency and the kid can get him out of harms way.

[fdpaq0580]

Most grand kids are from out of state - that restriction would only hold water for grands from FLA - can’t cross state lines

Well, hell! Guess we'll just have shoot 'em, pappy.

[golfing eagles]

Most grand kids are from out of state - that restriction would only hold water for grands from FLA - can’t cross state lines

Not necessarily. Many states have reciprocity when it comes to traffic tickets----NY, NJ, and Conn. come to mind immediately---a moving violation in any one of them is reported to all three and affects license points and insurance rates regardless of the state in which the infraction occurred. I don't know if Florida has any such arrangements.

Addendum--I found this:

Most states have reciprocal agreements with each other regarding driver convictions. The shared information may be about a minor offense, such as a speeding ticket, or a major offense, like a DUI.

The Driver’s License Compact (DLC) and Non-Resident Violator Compact (NRVC) are the main reciprocal agreements for traffic violations. There is also the Driver’s License Agreement or DLA, but only a few states are members.

Key Highlights
Member states of the Driver’s License Compact (DLC) share traffic ticket convictions of drivers with other states.
Five states don’t share speeding ticket information with other states: Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Tennessee and Wisconsin.
Member states of the Non-Resident Violator Compact (NRVC) must suspend the driver’s license of anyone who fails to pay or otherwise legally resolve moving violations in another state.
The states that are not NRVC members are Alaska, California, Michigan, Montana, Oregon, and Wisconsin.
The National Driver Register contains records of drivers whose licenses were revoked or suspended and those who have been convicted of a DUI.

[asianthree]

So is the mmp a legal street? Rarely do you see LEO’s ticket autos on street’s in TV proper, majority of grandparents, who thinks their grandchildren are the exception, will continue to let them drive.

Why because nobody is going to stop them and ask for DL or permit

[golfing eagles]

So is the mmp a legal street? Rarely do you see LEO’s ticket autos on street’s in TV proper, majority of grandparents, who thinks their grandchildren are the exception, will continue to let them drive.

Why because nobody is going to stop them and ask for DL or permit

Probably true

The only enforcement will be after the accident.

[Bill14564]

Probably true

The only enforcement will be after the accident.

Where can we learn more about these accidents? Seriously, have there been many or is this change a solution in search of a problem?

[La lamy]

:BigApplause::BigApplause:
YAY!!! But let's hope it's enforced around TV when it comes into being on July 1st.

[Byte1]

It's about time. Folks are getting their license taken away after being charged with DUI while operating a golf cart. That didn't make sense, when you didn't need a drivers license to operate a golf cart. At least now it will make sense.

[MandoMan]

So is the mmp a legal street? Rarely do you see LEO’s ticket autos on street’s in TV proper, majority of grandparents, who thinks their grandchildren are the exception, will continue to let them drive.

Why because nobody is going to stop them and ask for DL or permit

No, it isn’t. My understanding is that this applies only to city streets, not to cart paths. Thus, someone driving a golf cart without a license (including adults!) on Morse or on streets leading to it will be illegal, but not driving on paths running alongside city streets but with a grassy barrier between them. However, from what I’ve read, localities can extend the rules to paths as well if they want to, but they don’t have to. Of course, police very rarely drive on our residential streets, so the risk of being caught is quite low.

[sowilts]

I don’t need elected officials to tell me how to think. No one drives my cart without Drivers license. Too much risk.

[Minoletti]

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.

[hoot2602]

Who can drive a golf cart in Florida? New law changes legal age (https://news.yahoo.com/drive-golf-cart-florida-law-150949435.html)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!

[ThirdOfFive]

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.

[mark100]

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.

[toeser]

Who can drive a golf cart in Florida? New law changes legal age (https://news.yahoo.com/drive-golf-cart-florida-law-150949435.html)

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.

[DonH57]

So is the mmp a legal street? Rarely do you see LEO’s ticket autos on street’s in TV proper, majority of grandparents, who thinks their grandchildren are the exception, will continue to let them drive.

Why because nobody is going to stop them and ask for DL or permit

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.

[Regorp]

Will be totally ignored by TV grandparents.
Fall into same same category as Stop signs.
Rules only for other people.

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.

[flsteve]

It's about time. Folks are getting their license taken away after being charged with DUI while operating a golf cart. That didn't make sense, when you didn't need a drivers license to operate a golf cart. At least now it will make sense.

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.

[justjim]

:BigApplause::BigApplause:
YAY!!! But let's hope it's enforced around TV when it comes into being on July 1st.


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.

[yankygrl]

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.

[Bill14564]

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!

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?

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.

What were the injuries from what you saw?

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.

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?

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.

Exactly! (though I believe the law is unnecessary)

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.

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.

[kkingston57]

Who can drive a golf cart in Florida? New law changes legal age (https://news.yahoo.com/drive-golf-cart-florida-law-150949435.html)

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

[kkingston57]

:BigApplause::BigApplause:
YAY!!! But let's hope it's enforced around TV when it comes into being on July 1st.

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?

[justjim]

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?

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!

[karostay]

No non service dogs in restaurants or business either

[JMintzer]

No non service dogs in restaurants or business either

Is that in the new golf cart law? :jester:

[Pairadocs]

[QUOTE=golfing eagles;2217916]Not necessarily. Many states have reciprocity when it comes to traffic tickets----NY, NJ, and Conn. come to mind immediately---a moving violation in any one of them is reported to all three and affects license points and insurance rates regardless of the state in which the infraction occurred. I don't know if Florida has any such arrangements.

Addendum--I found this:

Most states have reciprocal agreements with each other regarding driver convictions. The shared information may be about a minor offense, such as a speeding ticket, or a major offense, like a DUI.

The Driver’s License Compact (DLC) and Non-Resident Violator Compact (NRVC) are the main reciprocal agreements for traffic violations. There is also the Driver’s License Agreement or DLA, but only a few states are members.

Key Highlights
Member states of the Driver’s License Compact (DLC) share traffic ticket convictions of drivers with other states.
Five states don’t share speeding ticket information with other states: Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, Tennessee and Wisconsin.
Member states of the Non-Resident Violator Compact (NRVC) must suspend the driver’s license of anyone who fails to pay or otherwise legally resolve moving violations in another state.
The states that are not NRVC members are Alaska, California, Michigan, Montana, Oregon, and Wisconsin.
The National Driver Register contains records of drivers whose licenses were revoked or suspended and those who have been convicted of a DUI.


Perhaps it will help the situation around here, but it will be a "wait and see" for sure. Logic tells me that if there is no enforcement of any kind (that I've ever heard of anyway) of the speed adult men and women (sorry guys, but 9 out of 10 carts that seems obsessed with passing every other cart, even when a long line returned from the square at night, seem to be men, not women), is not provided for in the posted "law" of 19 mph, then WHO/HOW is the ID checking and ticketing going to get done with visiting grand kids? One is a only an occasional event (teen driver), the other is a daily happening. Not meaning to be the "Debbie Downer", just not expecting to see much difference. Lots of rules and regulations in our world, few are actually enforced, and yes, I know I should say except for a few bored people who (it seems ???) spend their days and nights patrolling and reporting for hoped for "enforcement". Hope it is not just "another law just for the sake of having another law" ?

[Pairadocs]

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.

It's not that I disagree with your comments, I see that and more nearly everyday. Seen some frightening things with infants and toddlers just as you described. HOWEVER.... it gets back to the old debate about the true meaning of liberty. How far can, or should, a government go in regulating and "protecting" individuals on the premise it IS the primary responsibility of government to protect the "masses", who are not able to think for themselves, or if they are capable of thinking out "risk", do not make the choices the government wishes them to make. Should an adult villager be able to make a decision to wear a helmet when riding a bike ? What about a teen, should the government view them as capable of making decision to wear bike helmet ? Should the government pass a law that all golf carts must have seat belts ? Does that mean the seat belts MUST be used when in motion ? Would this require a separate law for those actually playing golf as opposed to using the golf cart as transportation? I don't know. As I commented, I too think many things I see look dangerous, but I also know trying to regulate every aspect of life ???? As for "stupid", I doubt the mother you say was "stupid" (maybe so, but I doubt it), more likely not experienced enough, or just not one whose mind goes to the worst possible outcome when (visiting her parents I presume) sharing family times. It's definitely a risk to an infant...and I mentioned I've seen some toddlers standing on the back... but if we get into that type of thing..... certainly the government should pass a law that ALL seniors MUST have a slip proof mat in both the shower and any bathtub, because, FAR more falls in those two locations occur daily all over the USA, than other foolish risks people take ! Don't pretend to have the definitely answer !

[Whitley]

Who can drive a golf cart in Florida? New law changes legal age (https://news.yahoo.com/drive-golf-cart-florida-law-150949435.html)

Does anyone have stats on GC accidents in the Villages with drivers under the age of 14? I was unaware of it being a significant issue.

[Whitley]

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!

Back in the 70's my Grandfather taught me how to drive on the streets of Sarasota and Naples. I was 15, driving down US41 (Tamiami). I understand the desire to make everything safe, but there is always the possibility of going a bit too far in our desire to do what we feel is correct for others safety. One may also propose that treating the teenagers today with kid gloves, protecting them in ways we never would, will continue to create sheltered child adults. If there is a serious issue of 14 year olds crashing golf carts I would agree with the law. I was not aware of that happening however.

[Whitley]

Is that in the new golf cart law? :jester:

Just how do you think the doggy got to the restaurant?

[NoMoSno]

Does anyone have stats on GC accidents in the Villages with drivers under the age of 14? I was unaware of it being a significant issue.
It's not all about TV.
It's a state wide law.
More and more communities are allowing CGs on the streets.
Ocala is now allowing GCs in the downtown area.
I don't see an issue with the requirement to have gone through drivers training before driving the streets.
It's a no-brainer.

[JMintzer]

Just how do you think the doggy got to the restaurant?

My doggo loves to RIDE in my golf Cart, but she's too little to drive... Can't reach the pedals... :p

[JMintzer]

It's not all about TV.
It's a state wide law.
More and more communities are allowing CGs on the streets.
Ocala is now allowing GCs in the downtown area.
I don't see an issue with the requirement to have gone through drivers training before driving the streets.
It's a no-brainer.

If they are in downtown Orlando, one would think they are "street legal" golf carts, which require a driver's license...

[justjim]

It's not that I disagree with your comments, I see that and more nearly everyday. Seen some frightening things with infants and toddlers just as you described. HOWEVER.... it gets back to the old debate about the true meaning of liberty. How far can, or should, a government go in regulating and "protecting" individuals on the premise it IS the primary responsibility of government to protect the "masses", who are not able to think for themselves, or if they are capable of thinking out "risk", do not make the choices the government wishes them to make. Should an adult villager be able to make a decision to wear a helmet when riding a bike ? What about a teen, should the government view them as capable of making decision to wear bike helmet ? Should the government pass a law that all golf carts must have seat belts ? Does that mean the seat belts MUST be used when in motion ? Would this require a separate law for those actually playing golf as opposed to using the golf cart as transportation? I don't know. As I commented, I too think many things I see look dangerous, but I also know trying to regulate every aspect of life ???? As for "stupid", I doubt the mother you say was "stupid" (maybe so, but I doubt it), more likely not experienced enough, or just not one whose mind goes to the worst possible outcome when (visiting her parents I presume) sharing family times. It's definitely a risk to an infant...and I mentioned I've seen some toddlers standing on the back... but if we get into that type of thing..... certainly the government should pass a law that ALL seniors MUST have a slip proof mat in both the shower and any bathtub, because, FAR more falls in those two locations occur daily all over the USA, than other foolish risks people take ! Don't pretend to have the definitely answer !
“Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is deciding to protect us from ourselves”. Ronald Reagan

[Freehiker]

2 weeks ago I was cutting my grass when a guy pulled onto our street and stopped. He swapped places and let a boy and girl get in the front and drive, while he sat in the back seat. These kids were VERY young, definitely under 10.

It’s insane how many people don’t realize how dangerous carts can be.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

The "Freedom" thing should extend to liability and insurance. IF you choose to let a 13-year-old drive your golf cart, and IF there's an accident involving your 13-year-old behind the wheel of the golf cart, THEN no one's insurance will cover damages. Her health insurance won't cover her injuries. The guy she hits will have to sue the owner of the golf cart directly, and/or the girl's parents. Whoever owns the golf cart will have any claims on their own insurance for the accident denied.

AND - whatever adult is legally responsible for the child at the time he/she was behind the wheel - gets a ticket, and arrested for reckless endangerment of a minor child.

[DonH57]

Does anyone have stats on GC accidents in the Villages with drivers under the age of 14? I was unaware of it being a significant issue.

I'd like to see that myself. A list of accidents or citations on a driver 14 or under.