Children Driving Golf Carts

[PennBF]

I really hope more parents and grandparents would be more alert as to the dangers of letting children drive the golf carts. Yesterday I passed a cart with what appeared to be an 8 or 9 year old driving it, a young child in the middle and what was either a parent or grandparent on the passenger side.
I can't get over how irresponsible the adult(s) are when they let this happen. Not only are they risking the well being of the child but the risk of a law enforcement officer stopping them and giving a ticket.
I really hope that the Sheriff station a deputy on golf paths and watch for the violations as a little enforcement goes a long way in stopping this kind
of disrespect for others. :(

[Chi-Town]

I saw two kids driving a four seater leaving LSL with the adults in the back. The kids must have been the DD's that night.

[bluedog103]

Does anyone ever say anything to the offenders, either the kids or the supposed adults with them?

[paulandjean]

I quess they have to learn to drive somewhere?

[spk7951]

Does anyone ever say anything to the offenders, either the kids or the supposed adults with them?


Once last summer I almost ran into a young couple with three kids who had failed to stop when I had the right of way. One child was sitting between the adults, another on mom's lap and the 3rd was standing up. I tried to impress upon them the dangers of what they were doing and they just sat there starring at me and said nothing. My golfing partner simply said that it was hopeless and lets go.

[Mudder]

Two days ago I saw a young girl speeding along in a golf cart on Avienda Central headed right for 441/27, she barely stopped, took a right onto that road. I went in CVS parking lot and she was still out on that road cruising right along. I shutter to think what might have happened next.

[Bogie Shooter]

I quess they have to learn to drive somewhere?

This doesn't mean you endorse this practice, does it?

[l2ridehd]

We need bumper stickers that say "Driver over 14 & legal" to put on our golf carts.

[Golf-Tinker]

The SUN last week had an article about a golf cart school conducted by The Villages during the grandkids summer camp for children 14 years and older. Probably a good idea, but I wonder if the grandparents don't get lulled into complacency about letting the children drive on their own.

[Irish Rover]

I don't think that it's our job to enforce the law, but if we are put in danger then a conversation is in order. The Sheriff is the person to enforce this law. With 80,000 population and climbing, this will be even more prevalent in the future. Post some signs and indicate serious fines for violators. Just my opinion.

[ilovetv]

It's just one more example of the contemporary parenting method of being your child's PAL.....and saying "no" will harm their self-esteem.

[thistrucksforyou]

you can't fix stupid !

[l2ridehd]

you can't fix stupid !

Now that finally explains what's wrong with Washington. Bet these people letting their 9 year old grandchildren drive the golf carts are retired Senators and Congressman. Finally makes sense.

[duffysmom]

Not only could the child cause a serious accident and suffer all the pain that such a scenario would involve, the adult who owns the cart could potentially lose everything they ever worked for. They would need to have a multi million dollard umbrella policy to stay solvent. It's illegal and foolhardy.

[old moe]

This doesn't mean you endorse this practice, does it?

I sure hope not!!!!!

[golf2140]

We must remember that at our age a 14 year old looks really young !!!!!!

[downeaster]

I don't think that it's our job to enforce the law, but if we are put in danger then a conversation is in order. The Sheriff is the person to enforce this law. With 80,000 population and climbing, this will be even more prevalent in the future. Post some signs and indicate serious fines for violators. Just my opinion.

My opinion as well.

[downeaster]

you can't fix stupid !

Correct. There is no cure for stupid and, as far as I know, no one is working on it.

[angiefox10]

We don't live in The Villages yet and for the past eight years, every time a kid fly's by in his car we smile and look at each other and say "I can't wait to get to The Villages" and now it seems that it's the same there, only with golf carts????

CRAP! :cryin2:

[Pturner]

Here's a suggestion. Maybe when a Villager gets a guest pass for anyone under 14 years old, the Villager could be required to sign a form acknowledging that it's illegal for anyone under 14 to drive a cart, and stating that knowingly letting such guests do so will result in (some fine or suspension of Villager privileges).

Any thoughts? Does anyone know to whom such suggestion should be sent?

[Shirleevee]

We don't live in The Villages yet and for the past eight years, every time a kid fly's by in his car we smile and look at each other and say "I can't wait to get to The Villages" and now it seems that it's the same there, only with golf carts????

CRAP! :cryin2:

Sadly, it is not only the "kids" flying by..it's the adults in the souped up carts and street legal carts that fly by.....

[mrfixit]

Sadly, it is not only the "kids" flying by..it's the adults in the souped up carts and street legal carts that fly by.....

SOUPED UP GOLF CARS. PLEEEEZZE LOOK for traffic BEHIND you BEFORE you pass the slower Golf Cars. IF you are going to pass others who are legally using the golf cart lane....PLEEEZZZZEE use arm signals in addition to the tiny blinker lights.(usualy covered by enclosure OR golf towel flapping around.....if even used at all)....before you enter the traffic lane. END OF RANT.......

[bluedog103]

I don't think that it's our job to enforce the law, but if we are put in danger then a conversation is in order. The Sheriff is the person to enforce this law. With 80,000 population and climbing, this will be even more prevalent in the future. Post some signs and indicate serious fines for violators. Just my opinion.
This has nothing to do with enforcement. Certainly that's a job for law enforcement, but this is a situation where someone can get killed. I have to say something. Maybe it won't change a thing but I can't ignore something as stupid and dangerous as this. If I don't speak up and the worst happens, I don't think could ever forgive myself.

[blue72]

Pturner
That's a very good idea. When people have to read and sign that they have liability for their actions, it very well make a dent in the problem. Also, there is a FS traffic law stating it is illegal to allow unauthorized persons to drive a vehicle.
:BigApplause:

[CJ]

It should be mandatory that along with getting a guest pass, the villages issue a temporary permit for children over 14 to drive golf carts. This permit should be "posted on front window" of cart. The center should be allowed to ask for age verification (birth certificate) to assure all info is true.

Too stringent? If you have been reading how adults have had accidents (some fatal), you will not think so. We all love our children/grandchildren, why not issure their safety?

[Bogie Shooter]

It should be mandatory that along with getting a guest pass, the villages issue a temporary permit for children over 14 to drive golf carts. This permit should be "posted on front window" of cart. The center should be allowed to ask for age verification (birth certificate) to assure all info is true.

Too stringent? If you have been reading how adults have had accidents (some fatal), you will not think so. We all love our children/grandchildren, why not issure their safety?

Can't legislate stupidity.

[PennBF]

For the record..I did stop and mentioned to the adult in the cart that a child under 14 should not be driving. There was no response and they just drove off with the young child driving. I believe a Sheriff deputy should be riding the golf cart paths and taking actions when there is such direct disregard for "good sense". :(

[Shirleevee]

:BigApplause:SOUPED UP GOLF CARS. PLEEEEZZE LOOK for traffic BEHIND you BEFORE you pass the slower Golf Cars. IF you are going to pass others who are legally using the golf cart lane....PLEEEZZZZEE use arm signals in addition to the tiny blinker lights.(usualy covered by enclosure OR golf towel flapping around.....if even used at all)....before you enter the traffic lane. END OF RANT.......

:BigApplause::thumbup:

[Talk Host]

I'm curious. Individuals must be 14 to operate a golf cart. Operate a golf cart WHERE? I understand operating on the street, but, how about on private land? Around your yard? On privately owned cart paths? Out in a field?

On privately owned land, who has authority to charge somebody with an offense? What can they be charged with? What law?

I am in total agreement that people who allow their little ones to operate golf carts on paths, in the street or on the golf course are mentally deficient. I have always been the leader in the battle cry against this dangerous and stupid practice.

My only question is, is any of this enforceable? I think a judge would throw out a citation if the cart was being operated on private land.

State law says: "....A golf cart may not be operated on public roads or streets by any person under the age of 14."

And, what about child safety restraints. Have you ever, ever, ever seen an infant in a safety seat while riding in a golf cart in The Villages. I'll bet not.

The Florida attorney general says: "...it would appear that when golf carts are authorized by municipal ordinance to be operated on city streets, the Legislature has not required that the operator comply with the safety restraint requirements in sections 316.613 and 316.614, Florida Statutes. It may be advisable, however, to seek legislative clarification on this matter, given the great concern for the safety of motor vehicle operators and passengers."

[spk7951]

And, what about child safety restraints. Have you ever, ever, ever seen an infant in a safety seat while riding in a golf cart in The Villages. I'll bet not.


Sadly yes I have. Two adults with a child seated between them and a baby in a car seat facing sideways on the floor of the golf cart. I have trouble trying to understand what people may have been thinking to do something like that.

[Schaumburger]

Sadly yes I have. Two adults with a child seated between them and a baby in a car seat facing sideways on the floor of the golf cart. I have trouble trying to understand what people may have been thinking to do something like that.

Sounds like a recipe for a tragedy. :ohdear:

[Mudder]

When our little grandkids are here one of their favorite activites is riding in the golf carts. Mr. Mudder took the straps off our tennis bags and made them into seat belts for the kids. They are used to car seats and so have no problem with seat belts in the cart. We put our arms around their shoulders too.
The baby in the car seat is scary !

[villagegolfer]

It's just one more example of the contemporary parenting method of being your child's PAL.....and saying "no" will harm their self-esteem.

I agree.

[Bogie Shooter]

Sadly yes I have. Two adults with a child seated between them and a baby in a car seat facing sideways on the floor of the golf cart. I have trouble trying to understand what people may have been thinking to do something like that.

Isn't that the problem....they are not thinking.

[BarbinNH]

We took our 14-year-old grandson to the Camp Villages golf cart safety course. It was run by the Sumter County Sheriff's Department and was very informative, both for the grandkids and the grandparents.

What many grandparents may not know is that if an underage driver is caught (and, yes, there are 2 deputies on the watch for golf cart violations), a ticket will be issued and someone goes to court about it. Most likely the grandparents. However, if no one shows up, they issue the underage driver a driver's license, then immediately suspend it and add points to their record. That way, when they try to get a driver's license in their home state, this record will appear and they will have to deal with it. "Thanks a lot, grandma and grandpa!!"

[DDoug]

How do they that when the kid is under age

[JenAjd]

In reading this thread I had a thought that perhaps the grandparents think that "if" they are riding along with the grandchild it will be fine. I don't agree that this is something to be done by an underage child under any circumstance. I'm thinking golf-cart lane along-side the road NOT the path..getting nervous about "something" a car coming along-side or whatever. Children do not have the experience or the common sense yet to react appropriately to any driving situation that could occur. Golf carts are NOT a toy like an electric car a toddler may drive (and I think those are inappropriate as well) Whatever happened to the idea that "waiting for something" is a bad thing (such as the privilege to drive)???

I just heard of a couple whose grandkids are here visiting and one of the children was driving and had a scarey experience. I didn't hear "the rest of the story" on how it played out but knowing this couple I could imagine that afterwards they were laughing about it (and it wasn't funny)..maybe out of relief that a tragedy didn't come out of it.