Police Jurisdiction?

[NicknBabs]

I know that they can stop you for speeding in a golf cart on a county road, but do they have jurisdiction on the cart paths alongisde the main roads?

Today there were 3 police cars parked in the grass on Buena Vista, heading north of Bailey Trail, and one of the officers had a radar gun that he was uing on golf carts as they came north on the path alongside the golf course, towards Stillwell.

Luckily I was doing only 19mph due to the carts in front of me....

[memason]

My understanding is that the police have NO jurisdiction on the privately owned multi-modal trails.

Did they have anyone pulled over?

[Mikeod]

It's likely not for speeding, but for an unregistered vehicle. If you're doing more than 20 in a cart, you can be cited for an unregistered vehicle, not for speeding.

I'm not sure about the jurisdiction question, but perhaps they can check for this one violation anywhere. For example, the parking lots at malls, etc., are private, but if the authorities see an expired tag, perhaps they can issue a citation. :shrug:

[Bogie Shooter]

No authority on the trails.

[JohnM]

Per Lt. Wolf ... they can wait for the "speeding" golf cart to enter onto a county road which it will have to do eventually ... and if the golf cart was clocked doing more than 20 mph, it is not a golf cart since it is capable of going faster than 20 mph and is, therefore, an unlicensed motor vehicle on a county road ... however they do not patrol the multi-modal paths because they are private property and they do not have jurisdiction ... but they have their ways ...

[BOMBERO]

[QUOTE=NicknBabs;417695Luckily I was doing only 19mph due to the carts in front of me....[/QUOTE]

Or you would have been doing 20? 30?

[Indydealmaker]

Or you would have been doing 20? 30?

:1rotfl:

[Hancle704]

Just wait until Sumter County lowers speed limit on selected Village streets to 20 MPH and cars start getting passed by golf carts. It's gonna happen.:gc:

[Ooper]

it is not a golf cart since it is capable of going faster than 20 mph ...

I believe any cart is capable and will do more than 20 mph if it is going down hill... does that make it "not a golf cart" when it is not going faster than 20 mph?

[EdV]

Most gas and electric golf carts have governors that prevent the cart from exceeding 20mph even on a downhill run. I drive a registered LSV and the governor kicks in at around 26mph.

[memason]

My cart didn't come with a speedometer, so how would I know if I'm going more than 20mph??? I haven't tweaked it in any way, so I would have a hard time getting a ticket for unregistered vehicle.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

My cart didn't come with a speedometer, so how would I know if I'm going more than 20mph??? I haven't tweaked it in any way, so I would have a hard time getting a ticket for unregistered vehicle.

The guy with the radar/laser gun will let you know........... :police:

;)

Bill :wave:

[EdV]

Great response Bill.

It�s not difficult to figure out if your cart is juiced up. When you drive on the cart paths/lanes do you regularly find yourself overtaking the majority of other carts. If so, ask a friend with a GPS to ride with you or ask your repair shop to test it the next time you�re in for a tune-up.

If your cart was pre-owned, the previous owner could have juiced it up and I can assure you that with more than 40,000 carts in TV, the enforcement officers are well versed in spotting aftermarket speed enhancers in a cart.

[Ooper]

Most gas and electric golf carts have governors that prevent the cart from exceeding 20mph even on a downhill run. I drive a registered LSV and the governor kicks in at around 26mph.

I agree they have governors but governors don't apply brakes when going downhill. I have a gas and an electric with governors but they do not slow the cart when going downhill. Governors will only limit engine RPM by adjusting throttle position and limiting fuel supply.

[memason]

I agree they have governors but governors don't apply brakes when going downhill. I have a gas and an electric with governors but they do not slow the cart when going downhill. Governors will only limit engine RPM by adjusting throttle position and limiting fuel supply.

I can tell you that my electric cart will definitely slowdown, when going downhill, when the governed speed is reached. It stops juice going to the motor, which has the same effect as putting on the brakes. I have a ParCar, so maybe they're different

[njbchbum]

Great response Bill.
snip
If so, ask a friend with a GPS to ride with you...

how do i get my gps to show me the speed when driving my golf cart?

[Bill-n-Brillo]

how do i get my gps to show me the speed when driving my golf cart?

Just take it along with you while you're riding in the cart.

Simplistically, GPSs determine speed by communicating with satellites. It doesn't matter to a GPS what type of conveyance you're in.....or even if you're walking.

You'll either need to have a 12 volt receptacle in your cart for the GPS power cord or a GPS that will operate under its own battery power when unplugged.

Bill :)

[red tail]

I can tell you that my electric cart will definitely slowdown, when going downhill, when the governed speed is reached. It stops juice going to the motor, which has the same effect as putting on the brakes. I have a ParCar, so maybe they're different

tomberlin reacts the same way. the drive motor will also prevent you from going over 25mph. in fact when in the braking mode it becomes a generator and produces a charging current to your batteries.

[tpop1]

I charged up my GPS in my car and took it out for ride - 19 mph exactly.

Before the speed crackdown, when I 1st moved to TV(brought my cart from Sarasota) and asked my cart repairman if he could jack up my speed.

He told me he would not - legal & liability issues. Glad of that now!

Moral of the story - I go 19MPH max and NO tickets!

Life is good!
.

[ajbrown]

I agree they have governors but governors don't apply brakes when going downhill. I have a gas and an electric with governors but they do not slow the cart when going downhill. Governors will only limit engine RPM by adjusting throttle position and limiting fuel supply.

Caveat reader on terms, just a DIY guy....

I can only speak to electric carts. All of the carts I have owned are series carts and the roll freely. They have no tow/run switch. If I am on a steep enough hill the cart will go whatever speed gravity can produce.

Most new carts have some form of regenerative braking. These carts do not have governors per se, but the motors have a speed sensor. There is an additional set of wires between the motor and the controller not found on my carts. The controller will detect the speed of the motor and can tell the motor to slow down. It is the motor that does the "braking". the energy burned during this process is captured, hence the word regenerative....

[njbchbum]

Just take it along with you while you're riding in the cart.

Simplistically, GPSs determine speed by communicating with satellites. It doesn't matter to a GPS what type of conveyance you're in.....or even if you're walking.

You'll either need to have a 12 volt receptacle in your cart for the GPS power cord or a GPS that will operate under its own battery power when unplugged.

Bill :)

thanx, bll -ther cart does have a power port and the gps battery still takes a charge so i will have to study this some more...i have never noticed on any screen where the mph was shown! hmmmmm......

[paulandjean]

Crackdown on speeding. The end of the year is coming fast. They try and get as many violations as possibly before the new year kicks in.

[zcaveman]

thanx, bll -ther cart does have a power port and the gps battery still takes a charge so i will have to study this some more...i have never noticed on any screen where the mph was shown! hmmmmm......

My Garmin has the speed in the lower right-hand corner. Since I have a battery I usually charge it up before I do my speed test.

Since I use the cart paths my Garmin lady is always "recalculating".

[rhood]

I can tell you that my electric cart will definitely slowdown, when going downhill, when the governed speed is reached. It stops juice going to the motor, which has the same effect as putting on the brakes. I have a ParCar, so maybe they're different

Par Car's are different. They have a regenerative system that slows the motor.

[redwitch]

If the owner of the property (in our case, the CCD's) give permission, anyone can be ticketed on the golf cart paths. Same with parking lots -- if the owner gives permission, you can be ticketed for any traffic violation should an officer choose to do so. From what I've been told, no one has given police the authority to ticket on the paths but I wouldn't be surprised if this finally does happen -- just too many carts going well over the legal speed. However, as was said, they can clock you now and get you when you get off the path. I imagine that even crossing a street would be sufficient (guessing on this one, though).

[RichieLion]

If the owner of the property (in our case, the CCD's) give permission, anyone can be ticketed on the golf cart paths. Same with parking lots -- if the owner gives permission, you can be ticketed for any traffic violation should an officer choose to do so. From what I've been told, no one has given police the authority to ticket on the paths but I wouldn't be surprised if this finally does happen -- just too many carts going well over the legal speed. However, as was said, they can clock you now and get you when you get off the path. I imagine that even crossing a street would be sufficient (guessing on this one, though).

I would say that only true if you continue to speed on the street.

[BOMBERO]

If the owner of the property (in our case, the CCD's) give permission, anyone can be ticketed on the golf cart paths. Same with parking lots -- if the owner gives permission, you can be ticketed for any traffic violation should an officer choose to do so. From what I've been told, no one has given police the authority to ticket on the paths but I wouldn't be surprised if this finally does happen -- just too many carts going well over the legal speed. However, as was said, they can clock you now and get you when you get off the path. I imagine that even crossing a street would be sufficient (guessing on this one, though).


Red you are correct. I live on a District owned street and the VCDD has entered into an agreement with Sumter Co. to enforce traffic laws on it. They could do this with any property they own.

[paulandjean]

Not to sure about posted speed signs on the golf cart paths. So areas sign may say 10 mph, however I believe the villages have posted these signs. I beleive all the signage posted on the paths are from the villages effort. Do not think police can enforce that area.

[Trish Crocker]

Wow...don't the police have anything else to do????? I was talking to a Detroit police officer...he told me that he hadn't written a speeding ticket in three years because, when he does, the driver goes to court and gets it thrown out....kinda gives you an idea of how traffic flows here in the D, doesn't it.....I just think it's hilarious that the police are actually getting paid to stand outside and check to make sure your golf cart isn't going over 20mph (please don't misinterpret me, I will always obey and respect the golf cart laws..or try to, anyway.....just find the comparison between here and there too funny)

[rubicon]

Am I the only one who gets the feeling that I'm living in a fish bowl? Geeez

[rhood]

If the owner of the property (in our case, the CCD's) give permission, anyone can be ticketed on the golf cart paths. Same with parking lots -- if the owner gives permission, you can be ticketed for any traffic violation should an officer choose to do so. From what I've been told, no one has given police the authority to ticket on the paths but I wouldn't be surprised if this finally does happen -- just too many carts going well over the legal speed. However, as was said, they can clock you now and get you when you get off the path. I imagine that even crossing a street would be sufficient (guessing on this one, though).

The District cannot enter into an Interlocal Agreement with the SCSO to provide for the law enforcement of multi-modal paths because the District does not have law enforcement ability to grant to the SCSO.

[Bogie Shooter]

Wow...don't the police have anything else to do????? I was talking to a Detroit police officer...he told me that he hadn't written a speeding ticket in three years because, when he does, the driver goes to court and gets it thrown out....kinda gives you an idea of how traffic flows here in the D, doesn't it.....I just think it's hilarious that the police are actually getting paid to stand outside and check to make sure your golf cart isn't going over 20mph (please don't misinterpret me, I will always obey and respect the golf cart laws..or try to, anyway.....just find the comparison between here and there too funny)

Not funny.....no comparison between city of Detroit and The Villages.

[red tail]

Not funny.....no comparison between city of Detroit and The Villages.

i dont think he meant 'funny funny' i agree its kinda 'funny' ! think about it?

[LvmyPug2]

The area between the lakes is posted as 10mph. We decided to take the cart from LSL to SS on saturday and we were the only ones trying to abide by the posted 10 mph (yes we have a speedometer on our cart). One guy actually yelled at us for going too slow and told us to speed up!

[NicknBabs]

Or you would have been doing 20? 30?

Probably about 22-23...I have had it hit 26 on the path along 466A.
And I do have a speedometer.

[BOMBERO]

Probably about 22-23...I have had it hit 26 on the path along 466A.
And I do have a speedometer.


Glad that's all you hit!
Most people use their speedometer so they don't speed.
Sounds like you use yours so you can brag about how fast you go.

Here'ssssssss your sign!

As always - IMHO.

[hedoman]

I believe any cart is capable and will do more than 20 mph if it is going down hill... does that make it "not a golf cart" when it is not going faster than 20 mph?

Soap box derby!

[graciegirl]

The path along 466A doesn't have very much traffic but it has slow down curves up by Morse and I travel it all of the time. Since we now live off that path I am going across the bridge on Morse all of the time and sometimes you will see the oncoming cart over the line. Sure makes you suck in your breath!! It is VERY narrow and a little scary.

[Loveithere]

Probably about 22-23...I have had it hit 26 on the path along 466A.
And I do have a speedometer.

I travel that path many times and there is some steep hills. I also pick up alot of speed and fortunately traffic is very light.

[ajbrown]

The path along 466A doesn't have very much traffic but it has slow down curves up by Morse and I travel it all of the time. Since we now live off that path I am going across the bridge on Morse all of the time and sometimes you will see the oncoming cart over the line. Sure makes you suck in your breath!! It is VERY narrow and a little scary.

Oh that bridge, what were the designers thinking :oops:? I am not a nervous golf car driver, but THAT bridge makes me feel completely vulnerable and exposed to a bad driver coming the other way.

BTW graciegirl, to avoid confusion for readers I think you are referring to 466, not 466A, if I am wrong, sorry.

[skip0358]

We moved here for a better,slower way of life. We bought a golf cart with a hi speed gear so it will do 19.9 mph tops which is the legal speed. Sure you can jack up the speed but why bother? You say PD has no authority on a path. For a golf cart maybe but if your over 20mph your not a golf cart your and unregistered motor vehicle and you don't belong on the path as such. If PD should stop you be sure to tell him he's not allowed to ticket you.lol .I was at a meeting last week and I can tell you there's a committee looking at the paths to make changes to the rules and regulations. I've encountered a dune buggy, motor cycle and last week a car on the paths. I do think changes and enforcement are needed. JMO

[Trish Crocker]

Not funny.....no comparison between city of Detroit and The Villages.

Sorry Bogie...just trying to make a joke. Of course there is no comparison...why do you think I'm moving there?????