Golf Cart Access

[IndianaJones]

In today's Daily Sun article about "Agency Educates Drivers on State's Golf Cart Rules" (Local section, front and back page), I noted one item in particular: "They can't cross or drive on any road with a speed limit over 30mph, according to the Sumter County Sheriff's Office".
I refer specifically to the folks who live in Bridgeport at Miona Shores - they have to cross Rainey Trail (speed limit: 35mph) to get to golf cart trails leading north OR south - no other way out of that Village. Shouldn't there be signs up that say, "No Golf Carts Past This Point" (as there are in other locations in TV) on both Lynnhaven Lane and the entrance/exit to Miona Shores? Yes, I'm aware that LSV's are exempt. That is a dangerous road to cross - been here 10 years now and seldom see anyone doing 35mph there, and have seen several close calls with golf carts crossing RT. Does this new rule change that access there, and perhaps elsewhere?

[Bill14564]

In today's Daily Sun article about "Agency Educates Drivers on State's Golf Cart Rules" (Local section, front and back page), I noted one item in particular: "They can't cross or drive on any road with a speed limit over 30mph, according to the Sumter County Sheriff's Office".
I refer specifically to the folks who live in Bridgeport at Miona Shores - they have to cross Rainey Trail (speed limit: 35mph) to get to golf cart trails leading north OR south - no other way out of that Village. Shouldn't there be signs up that say, "No Golf Carts Past This Point" (as there are in other locations in TV) on both Lynnhaven Lane and the entrance/exit to Miona Shores? Yes, I'm aware that LSV's are exempt. That is a dangerous road to cross - been here 10 years now and seldom see anyone doing 35mph there, and have seen several close calls with golf carts crossing RT. Does this new rule change that access there, and perhaps elsewhere?

Google Maps Street View shows the speed limit on Rainey Trail dropping to 20mph just before a sign indicating that golf carts will be crossing ahead. It also shows that there are signs saying no golf carts are to proceed either direction down Rainey Trail. On the Lynnhaven side, there is a sign saying golf carts may only go straight across to Miona Shores.

It appears that the speed limit has been reduced and proper signs erected to make that a legal crossing for golf carts.

1. Google maps doesn't show everything and the data might be old so the signage that exists today might be different.

2. Just because there is a 20mph speed limit sign doesn't mean drivers actually slow to anything close to 20mph in that area.

Maybe one day if I'm bored I'll drive up there and see for myself.


EDIT: 316.2122(2)(a) or 316.2122(3) may also apply

[dewilson58]

In today's Daily Sun article about "Agency Educates Drivers on State's Golf Cart Rules" (Local section, front and back page), I noted one item in particular: "They can't cross or drive on any road with a speed limit over 30mph, according to the Sumter County Sheriff's Office".


No body (the legal folks) is concerned about crossing 466a on Pinellas over to Lowes.

& there's an old Villages sign indicating no carts past this point.

[4$ALE]

No body (the legal folks) is concerned about crossing 466a on Pinellas over to Lowes.

& there's an old Villages sign indicating no carts past this point.

:ohdear: Or crossing 441 from the Sharon Morse Medical Bldg. to the East campus of the hospital property. That's the short cut so people don't have to use the bridge over 441 to get to WaWa or the old side. Seem to remember some poor soul was hit and killed while crossing in that area in an Atomic Car or something similar several years ago.. :sad:

[IndianaJones]

Google Maps Street View shows the speed limit on Rainey Trail dropping to 20mph just before a sign indicating that golf carts will be crossing ahead. It also shows that there are signs saying no golf carts are to proceed either direction down Rainey Trail. On the Lynnhaven side, there is a sign saying golf carts may only go straight across to Miona Shores.

It appears that the speed limit has been reduced and proper signs erected to make that a legal crossing for golf carts.

1. Google maps doesn't show everything and the data might be old so the signage that exists today might be different.

2. Just because there is a 20mph speed limit sign doesn't mean drivers actually slow to anything close to 20mph in that area.

Maybe one day if I'm bored I'll drive up there and see for myself.

An interesting point, so I went over there to look for myself. There IS a sign saying "Speed limit in The Villages 20mph" but the POSTED speed there appears to be 35mph. If you travel further down Rainey Trail (past the entrance to Miona Shores) there is another posted 35mph sign. Maybe TV "slows it down" to 20mph for about 300 feet? It's possible. Thanks for the detailed response.

[Papa_lecki]

No body (the legal folks) is concerned about crossing 466a on Pinellas over to Lowes.

& there's an old Villages sign indicating no carts past this point.

This was discussed, ad nauseum a few months ago (and I assume this thread will linger for weeks).
Sheriff said you can cross 466a.

Developer does have an interest in keeping villagers in golf cart off commercial property they don’t own.

[Bogie Shooter]

An interesting point, so I went over there to look for myself. There IS a sign saying "Speed limit in The Villages 20mph" but the POSTED speed there appears to be 35mph. If you travel further down Rainey Trail (past the entrance to Miona Shores) there is another posted 35mph sign. Maybe TV "slows it down" to 20mph for about 300 feet? It's possible. Thanks for the detailed response.

This sign is placed at many approaches to the villages……as warning/information. Never felt it was posted speed limit at that point.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

This was discussed, ad nauseum a few months ago (and I assume this thread will linger for weeks).
Sheriff said you can cross 466a.

Developer does have an interest in keeping villagers in golf cart off commercial property they don’t own.

What the Sheriff says, and what the law is, only matters if there's an accident. The law, is that you're not allowed to cross. The Sheriff says it's fine. If there's an accident, the insurance company covering the damages to vehicles and medical expenses won't care what the Sheriff said. They'll care that someone broke the written, documented law.

[bowlingal]

golf cart safety school people. GO and get all the answers to your questions

[Steve]

An interesting point, so I went over there to look for myself. There IS a sign saying "Speed limit in The Villages 20mph" but the POSTED speed there appears to be 35mph. If you travel further down Rainey Trail (past the entrance to Miona Shores) there is another posted 35mph sign. Maybe TV "slows it down" to 20mph for about 300 feet? It's possible. Thanks for the detailed response.

I think, if you read that sign closely, it probably says "SPEED LIMIT 20 MPH UNLESS OTHERWISE POSTED". If that is the case the 35 MPH sign takes precedence.

[Bill14564]

I think, if you read that sign closely, it probably says "SPEED LIMIT 20 MPH UNLESS OTHERWISE POSTED". If that is the case the 35 MPH sign takes precedence.

I read that sign to have two parts:
1. Speed Limit 20MPH
2. which applies here and everywhere unless otherwise posted. Some distance ahead, after the intersection, is another sign raising the speed limit to 35MPH.

The "Unless otherwise posted" is a bit confusing to me. Isn't EVERY speed limit sign the limit to be followed unless otherwise posted? If at this sign I can say, "well, there was a sign a bit farther back that read 35mph so I'll just travel that speed" then why can't I say that at every sign? "Yes, I know the sign reads 45mph but the one a half mile back read 60mph and the one a half mile ahead reads 60mph so I'll just travel 60mph the whole way."

[tophcfa]

In today's Daily Sun article about "Agency Educates Drivers on State's Golf Cart Rules" (Local section, front and back page), I noted one item in particular: "They can't cross or drive on any road with a speed limit over 30mph, according to the Sumter County Sheriff's Office".
I refer specifically to the folks who live in Bridgeport at Miona Shores - they have to cross Rainey Trail (speed limit: 35mph) to get to golf cart trails leading north OR south - no other way out of that Village. Shouldn't there be signs up that say, "No Golf Carts Past This Point" (as there are in other locations in TV) on both Lynnhaven Lane and the entrance/exit to Miona Shores? Yes, I'm aware that LSV's are exempt. That is a dangerous road to cross - been here 10 years now and seldom see anyone doing 35mph there, and have seen several close calls with golf carts crossing RT. Does this new rule change that access there, and perhaps elsewhere?

Could also be addressing the people that cross Rolling Acres to get to the Lady Lake driving range and access the Villages MMP system.

[mraines]

This was discussed, ad nauseum a few months ago (and I assume this thread will linger for weeks).
Sheriff said you can cross 466a.

Developer does have an interest in keeping villagers in golf cart off commercial property they don’t own.

Makes no sense that the sheriff would say you can cross 466a. It's illegal.

[dewilson58]

What the Sheriff says, and what the law is, only matters if there's an accident. The law, is that you're not allowed to cross. The Sheriff says it's fine. If there's an accident, the insurance company covering the damages to vehicles and medical expenses won't care what the Sheriff said. They'll care that someone broke the written, documented law.

I think you're wrong on a couple fronts.

1) "What the Sheriff says, and what the law is, only matters if there's an accident." The sheriff does not have to wait for an accident to enforce a law. Speeding, drunk driving, nudity............all can be ticketed without an accident.

2) "If there's an accident, the insurance company covering the damages to vehicles and medical expenses won't care what the Sheriff said. " If you have it in writing, from the Sheriff's office or Policy Dept..........it does matter.

[dewilson58]

Makes no sense that the sheriff would say you can cross 466a. It's illegal.

Don't think the sheriff did.

Wildwood PD said.

[NFRicaS]

Google Maps Street View shows the speed limit on Rainey Trail dropping to 20mph just before a sign indicating that golf carts will be crossing ahead. It also shows that there are signs saying no golf carts are to proceed either direction down Rainey Trail. On the Lynnhaven side, there is a sign saying golf carts may only go straight across to Miona Shores.

It appears that the speed limit has been reduced and proper signs erected to make that a legal crossing for golf carts.

1. Google maps doesn't show everything and the data might be old so the signage that exists today might be different.

2. Just because there is a 20mph speed limit sign doesn't mean drivers actually slow to anything close to 20mph in that area.

Maybe one day if I'm bored I'll drive up there and see for myself.


EDIT: 316.2122(2)(a) or 316.2122(3) may also apply
Thanks…how can you see speed limits in street view in Google Maps…?

[Bill14564]

Thanks…how can you see speed limits in street view in Google Maps…?

Street View

I “drive” along the roads and look at the signs

[Altavia]

Hmm, roundabouts have 20 mph speed limits.

Noticed some roundabouts such as at Lake Lake Okahumpka Recreation Center don't have "No Golf Carts Beyond This Point" signs.

Not sure I'd feel safe taking advantage even if permitted given how some traffic flys through the roundabouts.

Same for some places like Everglades Lane across Marsh Bend Trail into the Everglades parking lot.

[JoMar]

Might be the Sherriff just meant they weren't enforcing

[Topspinmo]

I read that sign to have two parts:
1. Speed Limit 20MPH
2. which applies here and everywhere unless otherwise posted. Some distance ahead, after the intersection, is another sign raising the speed limit to 35MPH.

The "Unless otherwise posted" is a bit confusing to me. Isn't EVERY speed limit sign the limit to be followed unless otherwise posted? If at this sign I can say, "well, there was a sign a bit farther back that read 35mph so I'll just travel that speed" then why can't I say that at every sign? "Yes, I know the sign reads 45mph but the one a half mile back read 60mph and the one a half mile ahead reads 60mph so I'll just travel 60mph the whole way."

What’s confusing to me no one travels 20 MPH :police:

[shaw8700@outlook.com]

Actually, I don’t care if they’re not going 20 mph on Rainey/472 because I’d have to sit there longer waiting them to go by.

[dmwaz]

Makes no sense that the sheriff would say you can cross 466a. It's illegal.

The way I read the law, it is legal for a golf cart that is traveling on a road 35 mph or less to cross any road 45 mph or less roadway at any intersection with a traffic light. I think the Sheriff reads the law the same way and 466a is a 45 mph roadway so golf carts can cross at an intersection with traffic light and a 35 mph intersecting road.

[Bill14564]

The way I read the law, it is legal for a golf cart that is traveling on a road 35 mph or less to cross any road 45 mph or less roadway at any intersection with a traffic light. I think the Sheriff reads the law the same way and 466a is a 45 mph roadway so golf carts can cross at an intersection with traffic light and a 35 mph intersecting road.

It is illegal for a golf cart to travel on a road with a posted speed limit of 35mph or more.


Perhaps what you were reading were the laws regarding low speed vehicles (LSV) which must be registered in Florida.