golf carts crossing 441

[jebartle]

I noticed that some of the surrounding cities are allowing carts to cross 441 without being street legal, and even thou it is dangerous, if they allow handicap scooters (max speed 5 mph or so) and bicycles, I understand, but wondering why in the Villages, you must be street legal...Does anyone know why?

[mulligan]

What road can you not cross in The Villages ??

[Bogie Shooter]

I noticed that some of the surrounding cities are allowing carts to cross 441 without being street legal, and even thou it is dangerous, if they allow handicap scooters (max speed 5 mph or so) and bicycles, I understand, but wondering why in the Villages, you must be street legal...Does anyone know why?

What cities are allowing crossing of 441?

[jebartle]

What road can you not cross in The Villages ??

I think any road 35 mph or more..

[jebartle]

What cities are allowing crossing of 441?

a town north of the Villages, not sure!...I was just wondering why the difference between street legal and regular golf cart rules, if handicap scooters and bicycles are allowed...

[jnieman]

I think any road 35 mph or more..

I would agree that would be the case with any road not just in the Villages. Insurance wise at least. If you were hit crossing 441 on your golf cart, how would your insurance company feel about it? Would they cover you since I'm thinking they see the golf carts not on roads over 35MPH????

[bkcunningham1]

I noticed that some of the surrounding cities are allowing carts to cross 441 without being street legal, and even thou it is dangerous, if they allow handicap scooters (max speed 5 mph or so) and bicycles, I understand, but wondering why in the Villages, you must be street legal...Does anyone know why?

jebartle, if surrounding cities are allowing carts to cross 441, it is because of the local (town, city or county) ordinances and laws.

[aln]

There will be a law enacted on Jan 1, 2013 that will allow all of us to cross STATE HIGHWAYS.
-------- It was in the VHA last month ----------

The powers that be are working out the details . . probably something like, you must have lights, you must have a valid drivers lic, maybe other conditions (I'm speculating). .....BUT....It's gonna happin'. (i figure u must be crazy to cross 441).

Now, if you have recently driven south on CR 468 south of 466a through Fruitland Park, there ARE 'golf cart crossing' signs on that county road. Must be somthing local.

Anyway, just sayin'

[gomoho]

Is the crossing done with vehicles or as pedestrians would cross?

[skip0358]

This will be risky !


The 2012 Florida Statutes













Title XXIII
MOTOR VEHICLES


Chapter 316
STATE UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROL


View Entire Chapter






316.2126 Authorized use of golf carts, low-speed vehicles, and utility vehicles.—
(1) In addition to the powers granted by ss. 316.212 and 316.2125, municipalities are authorized to use golf carts and utility vehicles, as defined in s. 320.01, upon any state, county, or municipal roads located within the corporate limits of such municipalities, subject to the following conditions:
(a) Golf carts and utility vehicles must comply with the operational and safety requirements in ss. 316.212 and 316.2125, and with any more restrictive ordinances enacted by the local governmental entity pursuant to s. 316.212(8), and shall be operated only by municipal employees for municipal purposes, including, but not limited to, police patrol, traffic enforcement, and inspection of public facilities.

(b) In addition to the safety equipment required in s. 316.212(6) and any more restrictive safety equipment required by the local governmental entity pursuant to s. 316.212(8), such golf carts and utility vehicles must be equipped with sufficient lighting and turn signal equipment.

(c) Golf carts and utility vehicles may be operated only on state roads that have a posted speed limit of 30 miles per hour or less.

(d) Golf carts and utility vehicles may cross a portion of the State Highway System which has a posted speed limit of 45 miles per hour or less only at an intersection with an official traffic control device.

(e) Golf carts and utility vehicles may operate on sidewalks adjacent to state highways only if such golf carts and utility vehicles yield to pedestrians and if the sidewalks are at least 5 feet wide.

[jebartle]

That means that anyone in a golf cart can now DRIVE their golf cart to "5 guys", best buy, etc??????...Better yet, can cross at Lowes intersection, instead of bumpy dirt back-road.....I know it sounds scary to cross 441 (which I believe the speed limit is reduced to 45 mph at the Lowes intersection) but certainly not any scarier than a pedestrian crossing, or a handicap scooter, Right?

[paulandjean]

Cool, No big deal. Just look out for others.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

There will be a law enacted on Jan 1, 2013 that will allow all of us to cross STATE HIGHWAYS.
-------- It was in the VHA last month ----------

The powers that be are working out the details . . probably something like, you must have lights, you must have a valid drivers lic, maybe other conditions (I'm speculating). .....BUT....It's gonna happin'. (i figure u must be crazy to cross 441).

Now, if you have recently driven south on CR 468 south of 466a through Fruitland Park, there ARE 'golf cart crossing' signs on that county road. Must be somthing local.

Anyway, just sayin'

From The Villages Voice - Sept. 2012....The Villages Buzz (http://www.thevha.net/the-villages-voice?op=3&issue=46&article=1108) :

"Crossing State Highways in Golf Carts

Florida State Department of Transportation has made a change to DOT rules regarding golf carts crossing state highways commencing in January 2013. There still remains some debate over what golf carts, which drivers and whose additional authorization may be required. For example, the Florida statue change was at least intended to permit utility-type golf carts driven by public service maintenance personnel to cross state highways in the process of performing their job related duties. By extension, will that include recreational use golf carts (and Villagers) also? Watch for updates here, in the Daily Sun and the districtgov.org website for updates soon."

Bill :)

[skip0358]

Yesterday I was going to the Habitat House I'm voluntering at in Wildwood when I turned into the street I was greated by a golf cart food wagon heading to the construction site in TV area s/o 466A. I guess if you don't get caught everything is ok.As for crossing 441 or as some are doing now crossing Rolling Acres very scary.

[njbchbum]

i've seen enough car vs car challenges on 441 to know that i will continue to use the golf cart bridge to cross over 441! no death wish for me!

[paulandjean]

No big deal. People walk across 441 using the traffic light. All you have to do is be careful. Stop being worry warts and enjoy.

[Bogie Shooter]

No big deal. People walk across 441 using the traffic light. All you have to do is be careful. Stop being worry warts and enjoy.

If you do it now in your cart, you will get a ticket.

[starflyte1]

I do not think that we will ever be allowed to cross Rolling Acres Road, Buenos Aires, and 441 by golf cart. I know what business minded people own TV and doubt that they would approve of any commercial property that they do not own, becoming golf cart accessible. I hope that I am wrong.

[chuckinca]

I believe 441 & 27 are US Highways (not State Highways)

.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Here's the latest update via this month's The Villages Voice (from the VHA) on the golf-carts-crossing-highways situation:

"Fact Finder - Golf Carts Crossing Highways

Communications with Florida’s Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles regarding golf cart operation concerning public crossing of highways in January gave The Villages Voice an update to share with Villagers. It appears that section 316.212,F.S. governs the public’s use of golf carts and section 316.2126 applies only to the operation of golf carts by city, county and state agents / employees. Section 316.2126, F.S. speaks to employees, park volunteers, etc. if the intent was to apply to anyone, s. 316.212,F.S. should have been the amended statute. There may be clarifying language put forward in the 2013 legislative session.

Present Situation

Section 316.2126, F.S., authorizes municipalities to utilize golf carts and utility vehicles upon state, county, or municipal roads located within the corporate limits of the municipality. This authorization is subject to certain conditions. For example, municipalities must ensure golf carts and utility vehicles comply with certain state operational and safety requirements, as well as municipal ordinances that are more restrictive than state law. One operational requirement governing golf carts and utility vehicles is that they may be operated only on state roads that have a posted speed limit of 30 miles per hour or less.

Effect of Changes

The bill amends s. 316.2126, F.S., to expand the scope of golf cart and utility vehicle operation upon state roads. The bill creates s. 316.2126(1)(d) and (e), F.S., to authorize golf carts and utility vehicles to cross state roads (only at intersections with an official traffic control device) that have a speed limit of 45 miles per hour or less and to authorize golf carts and utility vehicles to be operated on sidewalks adjacent to state highways if the golf carts and utility vehicles yield to pedestrians and if the sidewalks are at least five feet wide.

Opinion Cabinet & Legislative Affairs, Department of Highway Safety & Motor Vehicles

It is difficult to prove if the legislative intent was intended to apply to everyone or merely to clarify that municipal workers could cross the specified roadways. Should any changes be approved in the upcoming legislative session related to the operation of golf carts in the section of law, our legislative staff will keep your community apprised.

Additional Clarification Needed

Since state and local law enforcement authorities cannot definitely include (or exclude) public golf cart drivers’ participation along with certain municipal workers, local and state law enforcement also is seeking legislative guidance on the matter. In the meantime, authorization for Villagers to cross state highways is not expected to be clarified nor authorized by January 2013 when this ambiguous change goes into effect."

Here is the link to the article: The Villages Voice (http://www.thevha.net/the-villages-voice?op=3&issue=48&article=1154)

Bill :)

[mrdills]

I can just see it now 50,000 golf carts crossing 441, 466, 466A, and 44, WOW, this looks like a accident ready to happen..........

[paulandjean]

I can just see it now 50,000 golf carts crossing 441, 466, 466A, and 44, WOW, this looks like a accident ready to happen..........

Thats why they have traffic lights. Do not think carts will cause the problem,Autos will.Cart driver will be driving defensive,automobile drivers are the ones we have to look out for. No biggie.

[BentBoy]

Am I the only one that sees a problem here. Golf carts are not cars. They have zero safety features. You don't need a license to drive one. They don't stop fast enough in an emergency and they have the worse signaling indicators of any vehicle (turn signals). The majority of the carts that I see, the turn signals and the brake lights, are a joke. They are either left on all the time or covered up by golf bags. The front lights are the size of pin heads. I say, you want to drive and cross more roads, then your cart much be retrofitted with all the safety equipment that the car makers have to put in.

[GatorFan]

The DOT has not approved crossing 441.

[KBusch]

Golf cars and automobiles can safely be on the roads together. The place to look for this is Sun City Arizona. Although not as big as the villages, golf cars can be driven on the road with automobiles safely. Like most things, its the person behind the wheel being aware of their surroundings.

[jebartle]

Why are handicap scooters and bicycles and pedestrians allowed now...There should be no difference...You have made some very good points thou!




Am I the only one that sees a problem here. Golf carts are not cars. They have zero safety features. You don't need a license to drive one. They don't stop fast enough in an emergency and they have the worse signaling indicators of any vehicle (turn signals). The majority of the carts that I see, the turn signals and the brake lights, are a joke. They are either left on all the time or covered up by golf bags. The front lights are the size of pin heads. I say, you want to drive and cross more roads, then your cart much be retrofitted with all the safety equipment that the car makers have to put in.

[mrdills]

ALN, don't hold your breath............

[DonH57]

Are there actually any marked crosswalk patterns on 441 for pedestrians? I don't recall seeing any but that never stopped anyone determine to cross.

[mrdills]

Why do carts have to drive across 6 lanes of traffic on 441 is beyond my comprehensions., if nothing else think of you own safety. There is alway someone try to push the envelope. If you have to drive across 441 jump in you car, its as easy as that.