Street legal golf carts

[Warren Kiefer]

Can anyone explain to me why drivers of street legal golf carts travel on busy streets when there are very nice recreational paths parallel to their travel. I don't know how many times while driving on El Camino Real I come upon a street legal golf cart traveling along with the traffic. And of course, there is a new, very wide, smooth and not so busy recreational path within a few feet of where these daring cart drivers are traveling amongst a lot of much bigger autos. Also there is no way these carts are able to keep up with the normal flow of the auto traffic and must constantly be passed. So, what is it with these guys ????

[njbchbum]

warren - lemme ask you this - why shouldn't they drive on the street? the vehicle is street legal, it has insurance and tags, it can do the speed limit, the road is wider than the path and provides greater separation from cyclists and runners [who choose not to use the m/m paths] than the path does. perhaps the 'normal flow' of traffic is exceeding the speed limit? sounds like they are no more of an inconvenience or annoyance than the driver of a car who cruises along below the speed limit.

[ureout]

Warren, I would be nore concerned with all the drivers that never get out of the passing lane.....they by far are a bigger nuisance than a street legal cart.:gc:

[cappyjon431]

Warren, I can't speak for others, but I ride on the streets with my street legal GEM because:

1. It is legal to do so, as long as the speed limit is 35 mph or less.
2. I pay for the privilege of doing so--license plates and insurance.
3. In many cases (although not in all cases) the streets provide a more direct route--Buena Vista is a good example--if you ride on the paths you must turn into several Villages, go behind the guard gates and then come back out to the main path.
4. I'm not a big fan of the tunnels--they are often scarier than the road because of other drivers.
5. If I go on the multi-modal paths I have to look out for joggers and often have to slow down to golf carts going 19 mph, while my cart goes 26 mph.

I will say that when I ride on roads such as El Camino Real and Buena Vista I stay in the right hand lane so that it is easy to pass me. When I go on Morse which is single lane in many places with a speed limit of 30 mph I tend to stay in the cart lane because if I'm going 26 mph and the speed limit is 30 mph I would be slowing down traffic and there isn't an extra lane for passing.

Just my $.02

[aljetmet]

Warren, I can't speak for others, but I ride on the streets with my street legal GEM because:

1. It is legal to do so, as long as the speed limit is 35 mph or less.
2. I pay for the privilege of doing so--license plates and insurance.
3. In many cases (although not in all cases) the streets provide a more direct route--Buena Vista is a good example--if you ride on the paths you must turn into several Villages, go behind the guard gates and then come back out to the main path.
4. I'm not a big fan of the tunnels--they are often scarier than the road because of other drivers.
5. If I go on the multi-modal paths I have to look out for joggers and often have to slow down to golf carts going 19 mph, while my cart goes 26 mph.

I will say that when I ride on roads such as El Camino Real and Buena Vista I stay in the right hand lane so that it is easy to pass me. When I go on Morse which is single lane in many places with a speed limit of 30 mph I tend to stay in the cart lane because if I'm going 26 mph and the speed limit is 30 mph I would be slowing down traffic and there isn't an extra lane for passing.

Just my $.02

:agree: for a wannabee and a street legal hopeful.

[CarGuys]

Warren, I would be nore concerned with all the drivers that never get out of the passing lane.....they by far are a bigger nuisance than a street legal cart.:gc:

OMG you are so right on! What is up this year. It's seems like the new cool thing to do is hang out there in the passing lane. And it's getting worse.
I wish police would focus on them and give those speeding 5-over the limit a break. People are now forced to pass on the right and that is dangerous

That rates right up there with passenger seats reclined back legs and bare feet up on the mini-van or sport ute dash! Wait till that air bag goes off and puts their Feet right back behind their ears!

[rhood]

If you go 25 on Buena in a cart, you must not be too concerned about your safety. That's just crazy in my book.

[cappyjon431]

If you go 25 on Buena in a cart, you must not be too concerned about your safety. That's just crazy in my book.

People ride bikes on BV all the time and I don't consider them "crazy." At least I have seat belts, brakes, brake lights, turn signals, and 1000+ pounds of cart around me. I actually feel much safer on BV than going on the cart path having to slow down/pass glof carts going 19 mph, joggers, walkers, bikers, etc. I also feel safer avoiding the craziness that I used to see in the tunnels on a daily basis.

I've only been driving on the streets for nine months, but in that limited time I can tell you that I feel infinitely safer.

[looneycat]

People ride bikes on BV all the time and I don't consider them "crazy." At least I have seat belts, brakes, brake lights, turn signals, and 1000+ pounds of cart around me. I actually feel much safer on BV than going on the cart path having to slow down/pass glof carts going 19 mph, joggers, walkers, bikers, etc. I also feel safer avoiding the craziness that I used to see in the tunnels on a daily basis.

I've only been driving on the streets for nine months, but in that limited time I can tell you that I feel infinitely safer.

I believe you are overstating to prove a point. How could you feel safer limited to 10 miles per hour below the speed limit, backing up traffic, with 5000 + pound pickups hauling long trailers speeding around you....baloney!

[cappyjon431]

I believe you are overstating to prove a point. How could you feel safer limited to 10 miles per hour below the speed limit, backing up traffic, with 5000 + pound pickups hauling long trailers speeding around you....baloney!

Maybe I am reading your post wrong, but are you REALLY saying that the way I feel is baloney? Really?

First of all, please don't tell me how I feel. I would NEVER presume to know how another poster feels and I certainly wouldn't tell them that the way they feel is "baloney."

Second, I along with dozens of other GEM drivers drive on roads where the speed limit is 35 mph on a daily basis. It is legal and we obviously feel safe enough to do it. Please don't project your own fears onto others.

Third, as mentioned in my first post on this thread, I only drive on roads with a 30/35 mph speed limit IF there are two lanes. If there are two lanes it is easy enough for a faster vehicle to pass. That is why we have passing lanes.

[jebartle]

we would drive on all streets with speed limits of 35 or less to avoid speed bumps and the main reason, it was more direct...Sure miss not going to Sam's, Kohl's in golf cart...Boo hoo! We would occasionally get yelled at by impatient "Car drivers" but we have broad shoulders and just smiled!...giggle...:a040:

[RVRoadie]

:agree: for a wannabee and a street legal hopeful.
Think twice. The insurance costs are the same as a new car, $500 to $600 per year, plus the plates. For that price, you get to skip a few tunnels and go through the round a bouts.

I calculate that I save about 5 minutes a week driving an LSV. That "costs" me about $55 per hour for the time I save.

Also, once a vehicle has a VIN, you can never go back to calling it a golf cart. An LSV is forever.

[cappyjon431]

Think twice. The insurance costs are the same as a new car, $500 to $600 per year, plus the plates. For that price, you get to skip a few tunnels and go through the round a bouts.

...and go to Sam's, Home Depot, Outback, 5 Guys, etc.

[EdV]

.... How could you feel safer limited to 10 miles per hour below the speed limit, backing up traffic, with 5000 + pound pickups hauling long trailers speeding around you....baloney!

Are you kidding me? How can you actually live in TV and not know that you cannot get anywhere in a cart in The Villages without sharing the road with cars and trucks going faster than you. Or do you actually think that the little white line between your cart in the diamond lane and those trucks is going to save you. Get real.

p.s. Good posts Cappy

[TomW]

The streets do provide a more direct route and that matters some if you live south and have friends and activities in the extreme TV north. That advantage will increase as Brownwood comes on line as well as the new golf courses south of 466a. There are only two ways to currently cross 466a in a conventional cart. An LSV provides one an additional two crossing points and possibly another one coming soon.

[aljetmet]

...and go to Sam's, Home Depot, Outback, 5 Guys, etc.

My favorite places! ;)

We'll have just a car and a cart in TV.
As the cart will be mine I would like to go where I want as easily as I could.

Just think how long it would take in a non street legal to go from Bonifay ( I 'm two minutes from the entrance) to say Nancy Lopez...

[Schaumburger]

My favorite places! ;)

We'll have just a car and a cart in TV.
As the cart will be mine I would like to go where I want as easily as I could.

Just think how long it would take in a non street legal to go from Bonifay ( I 'm two minutes from the entrance) to say Nancy Lopez...

Been wondering how long it would take in a non street legal from Bonifay to Nancy Lopez?

[CarGuys]

There are some Gem's that can run 35-40 if needed,

[thistrucksforyou]

If it is legal your opinions don't count !

[cappyjon431]

There are some Gem's that can run 35-40 if needed,

There is a company called Ride-4-Fun (Gem Car - Accessories, Parts & High Performance GEM Cars - We're the Direct Source! (http://www.ride-4-fun.com/gem-cars.html)) that puts an upgraded 7.5 HP motor on the GEM and recalibrates your controller. Adding 14 inch wheels with the aforementioned upgrades is supposed to bring up the GEM's speed to 35 mph+ (legally, and for a very reasonable price). I have a friend here who reports 43 mph with these upgrades. Personally, I just have not felt the need for speed with the cart. But for those who do...the Chrysler dealership in Fruitland Park carries Ride-4-Fun parts.

[buggyone]

There is a company called Ride-4-Fun (Gem Car - Accessories, Parts & High Performance GEM Cars - We're the Direct Source! (http://www.ride-4-fun.com/gem-cars.html)) that puts an upgraded 7.5 HP motor on the GEM and recalibrates your controller. Adding 14 inch wheels with the aforementioned upgrades is supposed to bring up the GEM's speed to 35 mph+ (legally, and for a very reasonable price). I have a friend here who reports 43 mph with these upgrades. Personally, I just have not felt the need for speed with the cart. But for those who do...the Chrysler dealership in Fruitland Park carries Ride-4-Fun parts.

Correct me if I am wrong, but the speed limit for Street Legal Carts on the roadways that regular carts cannot go on is 25 mph. The carts that are able to go 35 mph and higher are SPEEDING and subject to big time fines.

[Bonny]

:boxing2: :popcorn: LOL

[mrdills]

How many non LSV vehicles ( gas carts ) you see going over 20 MPH ? how safe are they ? Remember if you get caught you will lose you license because you are driving a vehicle without a license and a tag.

[thekeithfan]

People ride bikes on BV all the time and I don't consider them "crazy." At least I have seat belts, brakes, brake lights, turn signals, and 1000+ pounds of cart around me. I actually feel much safer on BV than going on the cart path having to slow down/pass glof carts going 19 mph, joggers, walkers, bikers, etc. I also feel safer avoiding the craziness that I used to see in the tunnels on a daily basis.

I've only been driving on the streets for nine months, but in that limited time I can tell you that I feel infinitely safer.

I'll tell you what I (when I'm not in my golf cart on a golf cart path) I have seat belts, brake lights and 6000 pounds of diesel truck around me and I don't feel safe. If you think you are safe in a 1000 pound open air golf cart you could be DEAD WRONG. With seniors, on meds, driving around the Villages you have to be an idiot to think your safe! Do see and hear about these accidents with golf carts and the passenger is thrown or if you're "belted in" you are thrown with the golf cart and seriously injured or worse! Wise up YOU ARE NOT SAFE you are nuisance!

[memason]

Is it a FULL MOON or what ???? :loco:

The amount of just plain wrong info, on here, is amazing.

Just saying....

[looneycat]

I'll tell you what I (when I'm not in my golf cart on a golf cart path) I have seat belts, brake lights and 6000 pounds of diesel truck around me and I don't feel safe. If you think you are safe in a 1000 pound open air golf cart you could be DEAD WRONG. With seniors, on meds, driving around the Villages you have to be an idiot to think your safe! Do see and hear about these accidents with golf carts and the passenger is thrown or if you're "belted in" you are thrown with the golf cart and seriously injured or worse! Wise up YOU ARE NOT SAFE you are nuisance!

amen, and zero side impact protection or rollover protection. No, I don't feel safe at all when I share the road in a cart lane, not because of what I do but because of what someone can do to me! by the way 25 is the speed limit for low speed vehicles, hell if I got a bigger controller I could pop wheelies....but I don't because that's a phase I went through when I was 17 :duck:

[looneycat]

Are you kidding me? How can you actually live in TV and not know that you cannot get anywhere in a cart in The Villages without sharing the road with cars and trucks going faster than you. Or do you actually think that the little white line between your cart in the diamond lane and those trucks is going to save you. Get real.

p.s. Good posts Cappy

per your argument, driving ON the road WITH the traffic would then be what? suicidal?:$:

[Warren Kiefer]

Maybe I am reading your post wrong, but are you REALLY saying that the way I feel is baloney? Really?

First of all, please don't tell me how I feel. I would NEVER presume to know how another poster feels and I certainly wouldn't tell them that the way they feel is "baloney."

Second, I along with dozens of other GEM drivers drive on roads where the speed limit is 35 mph on a daily basis. It is legal and we obviously feel safe enough to do it. Please don't project your own fears onto others.

Third, as mentioned in my first post on this thread, I only drive on roads with a 30/35 mph speed limit IF there are two lanes. If there are two lanes it is easy enough for a faster vehicle to pass. That is why we have passing lanes.

I guess I ruffled some feathers. My opinion is; how could anyone feel safer in a street legal cart driving down El Camino Real when there are dozens of cars in front of you, a dozen trying to pass you and a dozen behind you wanting to pass. Every vehicle out there ourweighs you by three fold and no cart is ever a even match for a full size car. It is the street legal cart that is creating a dangerous situation for himself and others. Would it not make more sense to move onto a 16 foot wide rec path that hardly has any traffic?? You can still drive the same speed as you do on the busy street.

[rhredd1654]

I guess I ruffled some feathers. My opinion is; how could anyone feel safer in a street legal cart driving down El Camino Real when there are dozens of cars in front of you, a dozen trying to pass you and a dozen behind you wanting to pass. Every vehicle out there ourweighs you by three fold and no cart is ever a even match for a full size car. It is the street legal cart that is creating a dangerous situation for himself and others. Would it not make more sense to move onto a 16 foot wide rec path that hardly has any traffic?? You can still drive the same speed as you do on the busy street.

I don't know what gives you the right to take ownership of the roadways. I have a GEM, golf cart and automobile. Just as I need to share the multimodal paths with other carts (including the Yamahas that travel 25mph+), walkers, bikers, etc., I also share the roadways with LSV's, autos, etc. I for one would like to see autos banned from The Villages, but that's not going to happen. It doesn't matter what size my vehicle is, I have the right to drive it where permitted. Quit being so selfish, you don't own the road!

[thekeithfan]

The safety of Driving down El Camino Real in a licensed golf cart is like comparing an Army foot soldier to a Tank! You are NOT safe. I suggest you look up the police reports involving cart accidents and see how many are severly, permanently injured or disabled. Do you have a right to drive there? YES! But you can't tell me your 1000 pound cart is any match when colliding with a vehicle weighing 3 to 4 times what the cart weighs! Golf carts driving down El Camino and going thru roundabouts look stupid....dangerously stupid.

[memason]

The safety of Driving down El Camino Real in a licensed golf cart is like comparing an Army foot soldier to a Tank! You are NOT safe. I suggest you look up the police reports involving cart accidents and see how many are severly, permanently injured or disabled. Do you have a right to drive there? YES! But you can't tell me your 1000 pound cart is any match when colliding with a vehicle weighing 3 to 4 times what the cart weighs! Golf carts driving down El Camino and going thru roundabouts look stupid....dangerously stupid.

By this rationale, I guess we shouldn't drive on the Interstate highways with the 90,000lb. trucks, in our 4,000lb car.

This is the Villages....Golf carts are supposed to be everywhere.

[EdV]

....Would it not make more sense to move onto a 16 foot wide rec path that hardly has any traffic....

The multi-modal paths are maintained by the amenity funds and are for use by TV residents only. So that is why I use the public roads whenever I venture into TV from next door.

[fast/sloEddie]

A big egoooooo trip lol !!

[rhood]

A big egoooooo trip lol !!

You are exactly right ! ! ! I don't care if I'm safe or not, I have the right to drive on the road and I'm going to do it. Seems like that is the prevailing thought. Not me ! !

[EdV]

A big egoooooo trip lol !!

No Einstein, it�s not an �egoooooo�, it�s an E-merge.

But I am impressed by the fact that I got someone to join TOTV just to dis me.

[EdV]

The facts are that there are now over 2,151 streets in TV and only 5 of them have multimodal paths. A handful of others have a diamond lane for carts. So that leaves more than 2,000 streets in TV that force carts, cars and big trucks to share the road equally.

Golf carts are built for use on golf cart paths. LSV’s are built for use on roads and by law have additional safety features. In addition to three point seat belts, my Tomberlin LSV has a heavy duty roll bar designed to reduce the likelihood of a rollover or crushed roof which complements the safety provided by the seat belts.

Given these facts, one has to wonder why anyone who buys a cart for use in TV wouldn’t spend the extra money to purchase and insure an LSV for the inherent additional margin of safety that it provides.

[rhood]

The facts are that there are now over 2,151 streets in TV and only 5 of them have multimodal paths.

There are more than five North of 466. Don't know how many are South of 466?

Post number 25 hit the nail on the head. Here it is:
Is it a FULL MOON or what ????

The amount of just plain wrong info, on here, is amazing.

Just saying....

[EdV]

Buena Vista, Morse Blvd, El Camino Real, 466, Stillwater Trail, that�s five. Ok, Glenview Rd. which is an extension of El Camino makes six.

So name a few that I missed to back up your statement.

[rhood]

El Camino Real
Buena Vista
Morse Blvd. West
Paradise Park and parking area
Connection between Southern Trace and tunnel
Saddlebrook trail to the tunnel
Addition of path between Morse Blvd West path and El Camino Real path


VCDD Multi-Modal Path System (http://www.districtgov.org/projects/multi-modal.aspx)

[EdV]

No, you�re misquoting me. I was referring to the number and names of the streets that have multi-modal paths, not to the names of the sections of paths themselves, nor to single purpose tunnels.

But enough nitpicking. There are over two thousand streets in TV without paths or cart lanes and I think it�s a bit hypocritical of some people to call LSV folks crazy yet think nothing of flying down the road in a regular cart with a grandchild in the passenger�s seat and nothing to prevent them from becoming a guided missile through the windshield.

[rhood]

OK, I'll concede the point. And if you want to drive on the roads, have at it. Just doesn't seem safe to me to go 20 or 25 on Buena or Camino in a cart. Even though you have brakes and seat belts, etc, it's still a cart. Nuf said!

[EdV]

Some more to think about. The only direct way to get between Spanish Springs and Lake Sumter Landing in a cart is via Morse Blvd. That road is only 16ft wide in each direction. The diamond lane for carts is only 7ft allowing only about 9ft for cars and trucks. But El Camino and Buena Vista are around 22ft. allowing 11ft. for each lane. So I actually feel safer on those roads than Morse Blvd.

But if I were a TV resident, I would probably take advantage of the safer multi-modal paths when they�re available which was the question raised by the original poster.

[looneycat]

Crash Safety of Low-Speed Vehicles Questioned: #evworld (http://evworld.com/news.cfm?newsid=23377)

'nuff said :(
even a collision with a SMART CAR would be fatal!!!

[Joaniesmom]

Well put, Captain!

[thekeithfan]

By this rationale, I guess we shouldn't drive on the Interstate highways with the 90,000lb. trucks, in our 4,000lb car.

This is the Villages....Golf carts are supposed to be everywhere.

On the highway, in my truck or car I have airbags, etc and can with stand a sizable impact

[EdV]

Crash Safety of Low-Speed Vehicles Questioned: #evworld (http://evworld.com/news.cfm?newsid=23377)

'nuff said :(
even a collision with a SMART CAR would be fatal!!!

Based on this article then none of us in LSVs or regular carts should be driving around TV since 99.9% of the streets in TV are shared with regular vehicles. So I don�t understand why one would use it in a debate about LSVs on streets in TV.

[jgbama]

Can anyone explain to me why drivers of street legal golf carts travel on busy streets when there are very nice recreational paths parallel to their travel. I don't know how many times while driving on El Camino Real I come upon a street legal golf cart traveling along with the traffic. And of course, there is a new, very wide, smooth and not so busy recreational path within a few feet of where these daring cart drivers are traveling amongst a lot of much bigger autos. Also there is no way these carts are able to keep up with the normal flow of the auto traffic and must constantly be passed. So, what is it with these guys ????

Of the 45 posts to your question, no one has given the correct answer. . . so, "here 'tis" - "I need to get where I'm going, before I forget where I'm going!":D

It is okay to express one's opinion, but it's not okay to get nasty just because someone has a different opinion. It surely isn't going to change anything. . . but ruffle some feathers! Isn't life full of enough aggravation, without adding more here? (Just my opinion!) :smiley:

[looneycat]

Based on this article then none of us in LSVs or regular carts should be driving around TV since 99.9% of the streets in TV are shared with regular vehicles. So I don’t understand why one would use it in a debate about LSVs on streets in TV.


or feel safer mixed in with traffic in a LSV....I didn't see a debate only saw bad information about the safety of LSVs in traffic being given.

[EdV]

Not a debate? You came into this thread and called Cappyjon�s opinion on this subject �baloney� and my opinion �suicidal�. It is beyond me why you think that me driving on El Camino in an LSV is suicidal but driving on Morse Blvd. in a regular cart 'mixed in with traffic' is just fine.

I've said all I need to on this. Stick a fork in me, I'm done.

[Villageshooter]

you bet,, you are right, you have the right! but you can be DEAD RIGHT! Why???? i also just cant understand,, why would a cycylist even consider the road when they have the paths,, i see the joggers and walkers in the mulitmode areas of the road,, why not jog and walk on the sidewalk?? when you are walking along the road, it reminds me of hookers working the street? HOW much??

[Challenger]

you bet,, you are right, you have the right! but you can be DEAD RIGHT! Why???? i also just cant understand,, why would a cycylist even consider the road when they have the paths,, i see the joggers and walkers in the mulitmode areas of the road,, why not jog and walk on the sidewalk?? when you are walking along the road, it reminds me of hookers working the street? HOW much??

A provision of the Florida code requires that pedestrians use sidewalks when provided.

[cappyjon431]

Not a debate? You came into this thread and called Cappyjon�s opinion on this subject �baloney� and my opinion �suicidal�. It is beyond me why you think that me driving on El Camino in an LSV is suicidal but driving on Morse Blvd. in a regular cart 'mixed in with traffic' is just fine.

I've said all I need to on this. Stick a fork in me, I'm done.

Ed, I haven't been on this forum all that long, but I have been on long enough to know that there are some folks on TOTV that you just can't have a civil discussion with without it turning into a p*ssing match.

I, for one, will continue to drive my LSV wherever I want (as long as it is legal) and continue to read about all the golf cart accidents in the POA bulletin.

[looneycat]

Ed, I haven't been on this forum all that long, but I have been on long enough to know that there are some folks on TOTV that you just can't have a civil discussion with without it turning into a p*ssing match.

I, for one, will continue to drive my LSV wherever I want (as long as it is legal) and continue to read about all the golf cart accidents in the POA bulletin.

LSV=Golfcart

[looneycat]

Not a debate? You came into this thread and called Cappyjon�s opinion on this subject �baloney� and my opinion �suicidal�. It is beyond me why you think that me driving on El Camino in an LSV is suicidal but driving on Morse Blvd. in a regular cart 'mixed in with traffic' is just fine.

I've said all I need to on this. Stick a fork in me, I'm done.

I see, an opinion offered by you is OK, from me not allowed...Hmmmm, this is a forum is it not.
regular carts are in the multimodal lanes not mixed in with traffic. If it were a true debate you would have offered facts to counter the factual resources I have cited, has there been a factual rebuttal? nope! You have an LSV thats great, I saw no need to spend the extra money on registration and insurance, That is your decision, but to imply that it is safer to drive in traffic with any form of LSV or golf cart is just contrary to fact, I'll pass on sticking you with a fork...tht's dangerous as well!

[cappyjon431]

LSV=Golfcart

You are wrong on several levels:

1. On a literal level. I do not play golf and my cart is not equipped for golf (wrong tires and no golf bag holders or score card clips).

2. On a legal level. As you know LSVs REQUIRE license, registration and insurance. LSVs are permitted to go faster than 19 mph legally. LSVs are allowed to go on streets where the speed limit does not exceed 35 mph, legally (such as Morse, Buena Vista, and Camino Real), golf carts cannot. Fourteen year olds are not permitted to drive LSVs, but they can drive carts (this brings up a totally separate safety issue--I'll take my chances on the street with licensed drivers instead of running the risks on the paths with some of the 14 year olds (and younger) I see driving gramp's golf cart on the paths. LSVs can legally cross 441 & Rolling Acres, golf carts cannot.

3. On a structural level. LSVs have seat belts and wipers. They have enhanced braking capacity. They have a lower center of gravity and they have a structurally sturdier frame than golf carts.

I don't think anyone is arguing that LSVs are as safe as a car, only that they are safe enough to be used in the manner that they are legally designed for. You seem to believe "evidence" is important to you as far as this debate--how about some evidence showing a higher incidence (proportional, of course) of accidents with LSVs on TV streets? I haven't seen any evidence in print nor anecdotally. I read the POA newsletter (the only media which actually reports golf cart/LSV accidents) and have yet to see a report of an accident with a LSV using the streets.

[justjim]

I had a street legal and got rid of it. Yes, they are legal and you also pay a lot more for insurance and of course the tags. However, that is not the reason I got rid of it. In my opinion the Florida Rules for a Street Legal are setup wrong. Not being able to legally go the speed limit (only 25mph in a 35mph zone) seemed dangerous to me. Everybody has a right to their opinion and if you want to go 25mph and not be with the traffic flow that is your privilege . Bikes are allowed and without insurance and tags. Hey, everybody to their own level of excitement!

[cappyjon431]

I had a street legal and got rid of it. Yes, they are legal and you also pay a lot more for insurance and of course the tags. However, that is not the reason I got rid of it. In my opinion the Florida Rules for a Street Legal are setup wrong. Not being able to legally go the speed limit (only 25mph in a 35mph zone) seemed dangerous to me. Everybody has a right to their opinion and if you want to go 25mph and not be with the traffic flow that is your privilege . Bikes are allowed and without insurance and tags. Hey, everybody to their own level of excitement!

I appreciate your opinion (an opinion based upon experience, not upon your fears) and more importantly, your non-judgemental attitude when discussing the subject.

[hdh1470]

:bigbow:I had a street legal and got rid of it. Yes, they are legal and you also pay a lot more for insurance and of course the tags. However, that is not the reason I got rid of it. In my opinion the Florida Rules for a Street Legal are setup wrong. Not being able to legally go the speed limit (only 25mph in a 35mph zone) seemed dangerous to me. Everybody has a right to their opinion and if you want to go 25mph and not be with the traffic flow that is your privilege . Bikes are allowed and without insurance and tags. Hey, everybody to their own level of excitement!

My wife drives in her car here seeing patients all day long and says most of the backups on roads are caused by carts.When that happens other drivers do stupid things to try and get by.Think they are putting life's in danger to mingle with traffic.

[cappyjon431]

:bigbow:

My wife drives in her car here seeing patients all day long and says most of the backups on roads are caused by carts.When that happens other drivers do stupid things to try and get by.Think they are putting life's in danger to mingle with traffic.

I certainly accept your anectdotal evidence, but can someone please explain to me how/why someone traveling in the right lane of either Buena Vista or Camino Real "slows down traffic" when there is a passing lane available? I ride on both of these roads every day (sometimes in the car, sometimes in my GEM) and am frequently slowed down by cars/LSVs going under the 35 mph speed limit. I pass them. Pretty simple stuff really. I don't see these slow moving cars as dangerous or slowing down traffic. I simply pass them like anywhere else i've ever driven where there is a passing lane. There are signs all over TV which say "Share The Road," sounds pretty reasonable to me.

Morse is a different story. Morse is only one lane in certain areas (plus the cart lane) and for that reason I drive my LSV in the cart lane on Morse when there is no passing lane available.

[ureout]

NO.....most of the back up of traffic in TV is from those who insist on driving only in the passing lane and to get by them you must pass on the right....now that is dangerous

[looneycat]

You are wrong on several levels:

1. On a literal level. I do not play golf and my cart is not equipped for golf (wrong tires and no golf bag holders or score card clips).

2. On a legal level. As you know LSVs REQUIRE license, registration and insurance. LSVs are permitted to go faster than 19 mph legally. LSVs are allowed to go on streets where the speed limit does not exceed 35 mph, legally (such as Morse, Buena Vista, and Camino Real), golf carts cannot. Fourteen year olds are not permitted to drive LSVs, but they can drive carts (this brings up a totally separate safety issue--I'll take my chances on the street with licensed drivers instead of running the risks on the paths with some of the 14 year olds (and younger) I see driving gramp's golf cart on the paths. LSVs can legally cross 441 & Rolling Acres, golf carts cannot.

3. On a structural level. LSVs have seat belts and wipers. They have enhanced braking capacity. They have a lower center of gravity and they have a structurally sturdier frame than golf carts.

I don't think anyone is arguing that LSVs are as safe as a car, only that they are safe enough to be used in the manner that they are legally designed for. You seem to believe "evidence" is important to you as far as this debate--how about some evidence showing a higher incidence (proportional, of course) of accidents with LSVs on TV streets? I haven't seen any evidence in print nor anecdotally. I read the POA newsletter (the only media which actually reports golf cart/LSV accidents) and have yet to see a report of an accident with a LSV using the streets.


1. If it walks like a duck and swims like a duck its a duck.
2. Yep, if your golf cart has hydraulic brakes and seat belts and you want that extra 6 miles per hour you must register it and pay more for insuring it so you can be an impediment to the regular traffic flow.
3. lower center of gravity? structurally sturdier frame? I thought we were using facts..that is fiction. Golf carts have all of that equipment available and on some standard In a low speed impact with a little bitty smart car a GEM folded like an accordion This horse is dead, a litlle LSV elitism doesn't make them safe.

[jgbama]

1. If it walks like a duck and swims like a duck its a duck.
2. Yep, if your golf cart has hydraulic brakes and seat belts and you want that extra 6 miles per hour you must register it and pay more for insuring it so you can be an impediment to the regular traffic flow.
3. lower center of gravity? structurally sturdier frame? I thought we were using facts..that is fiction. Golf carts have all of that equipment available and on some standard In a low speed impact with a little bitty smart car a GEM folded like an accordion This horse is dead, a litlle LSV elitism doesn't make them safe.

:agree: I can see the horse's hoofs just above ground! :laugh: