Sumter will ticket golf cart drivers who are speeding

[Avista]

From The Villages Daily Sun Sept 20, 2007 "Residents who are observed driving golf carts at speeds greater than 20 mph in the Sumter County portion of The Villages soon will begin receiving citations for operating a motor vehicle without registration.

Those who receive these citations should be aware that they carry a harsher potential penalty than do speeding tickets.

Villagers who receive this citation must appear before a judge in Bushnell and risk accumulating points against their driver's license and even time in the Sumter County Detention Center. After the courts have assigned a penalty, offenders face the prospect of increased auto insurance premiums."

I think this is a good move. Any other opinions.

[paul]

I am missing something here. Why the ticket for driving a vehicle that is not registered and not just a speeding ticket. If that is the case couldn't everyone get a ticket for driving a unregistered vehicle?

[Taltarzac]

Depends on how they enforce this. 20.1 miles per hour in a golf cart the same penalty as 24 or 25 mph in a golf cart. They should get the people who are a real safety hazard to others and theirselves and not just try to fill their quotas.

I have seen golf carts zip by on golf cart paths going what looks like 22 or miles per hour. These are not really designed to share quick moving golf carts along with pedestrians, dog-walkers, bicyclists, joggers, etc. They should try to protect these people from their own lead foots by ticketing them.

The higher penalties for golf cart violators seem a bit harsh though. This was in the article too? :dontknow:

[Avista]

The article continues, " Golf carts aren't manufactured to go faster than 20 mph for a reason: the brakes, tires and steering are all designed to handle only up to 19.5 mph. said Mike Tucker, fire chief of the District Public Safety Department. At higher speeds, they're not just a lot less safe, they're dangerous.----If drivers want to exceed 20 mph, they need to purchase a low-speed vehicle, which is equipped with hydraulic brakes and a stronger suspension system that make it safe to operate at higher speeds.

He went on to say a golf cart may be covered on the operator's homeowners policy whereas a low speed vehicle must be covered on an auto insurance policy and it must be registered as if it were an automobile.

[zcaveman]

I totally agree with the process. As stated, golf carts are not equipped to handle speeds over 19.5 MPH. What is there not to understand? I hope Marion and Lake enforce it also.

I have been in a cart that was going faster and I could feel it. On a turn, the arm on theside is not high enough to keep you in the cart if you are not paying attention. By the time I got to our destination, I was ready to jump out and kiss the ground. When we go out now, I ride in the other cart or I drive.

These are not toys and some people treat them like toys. Feet on the dash while they drive with one hand on the roof and one hand on the steering wheel. One slip and you are off the cart part and overcorrect and KABOOM!!!

Did you read the article it he Sun the other day about the guy that was hit head on by an LSV and went through the windshield? After several operations he is okay, but no more pickleball or tennis.

Drive careful and don't speed. Leave early so you do not have to take risks.

[SteveFromNY]

Let me ask a stupid question: How do you find out a golf cart is going 19.5, or 20.1 or 22 MPH? I've never seen one with a speedometer. Are the differences that preceptable? :dontknow:

[Avista]

Unless they are "souped up", a golf cart will only go 20miles per hour--even with gas peddle all the way down. When we were looking for golf carts one dealership asked us if we wanted it adjusted to go faster than the 20 mph limit. We didn't buy there.

[zcaveman]

Every once in a while the police will put that radar screen out so you can test your cart. They used to do it in the parking lot up in Marion county. With the pedal to the floor, I could not get past 19.

[SteveFromNY]

Thanks. That makes sense.

[chacam]

I put a bicycle speedometer on our cart from Walmart, less than $20. It works well and is quite accurate. You just have to calibrate it to your wheel size. It also has an odometer, tripmeter, and other goodies that cyclists use.

[SteveFromNY]

I put a bicycle speedometer on our cart from Walmart, less than $20. It works well and is quite accurate. You just have to calibrate it to your wheel size. It also has an odometer, tripmeter, and other goodies that cyclists use.


That sounds like a great idea. Beside speed, I like to be able to track mileage to places. I'm surprised the dealers don't offer them.

[Taltarzac]

Let me ask a stupid question: How do you find out a golf cart is going 19.5, or 20.1 or 22 MPH? I've never seen one with a speedometer. Are the differences that preceptable? :dontknow:


Our golf cart now goes tops 19.5 on a flat area. I will have to watch out on down inclines. If someone in a golf cart passes me, then that person is probably going at least 20 MPH if not more. I also try to get an idea of how fast the golf carts are going by watching how quickly the cars and trucks go by.

[JohnN]

The speedometer is a great idea.

Speeders should be ticketed, it's dangerous, so I have no problem with police ticketing.

[The Great Fumar]

When I get pulled over for speeding I just tell them I borrowed the cart and when they ask me who it belongs to I just reply
At my age I can't remember !!!!!! They usually don't want to get involved.................

[Cliff]

I live in Sumter on one of the more heavily traveled village streets. I am soooo happy to see the police speed traps being set up on my street, and, actually ticketing cart drivers and auto drivers for speeding. Folks these laws on carts are not new. They have always been max 20mph. Those people who soup-up their carts or take the governors off the carts, are doing it deliberately in order to gain speed over the other cart drivers who are obeying the law. Should they be ticketed when caught doing 35mph? (you better believe there are carts out there doing 35 and they are not street legal LSVs) I see it happen every day. They actually pass automobiles who are doing the legal speed of 25mph on my street. I say, not only ticket them for speeding, but also ticket them for driving an unregistered vehicle, not having seat belts and windshield wipers, and any other regulation they may have violated. The higher the fine, the less important the speed their vehicle can reach will seem to them. Here in TV it seems to be VERY important to some people that they own the fastest and most expensive carts available. And, the drivers are not only men. The ladies must be afraid that they might miss their next hairdresser appointment. Ticket, ticket, ticket. :cop: :#1:

[Happy Villager]

I want to add my vote for ticketing golf cart speeders! Personally I think it is long overdue. Will the tickets be issued for speeding on the golf cart paths/recreation trials or only if caught speeding on the actual streets or roads? I thought I read sometime back where the police can't ticket on the recreation trails because they are considered private property. If that be the case than I would be all for some type of agreement between the police and CDD districts giving them the authority to ticket on the recreation trails too. Does anyone know the facts about this?

[Frangyomory]

It is about time that these folks who rev up their golf carts get caught and ticketed. I am sick of these guys racing around the golf cart trails like idiots. :bigthumbsup:

I don't think what you said is funny fumar. There are speed limits for good reasons and I am sorry you didn't leave in time to make your T time or dinner reservation but you don't have the right to speed and then lie to the law!

That's what is wrong with society today. No one accepts responsibility for their actions. :edit:

[dandt]

I want to add my support for ticketing speeding carts. And I too hope Marion and Lake Counties get into it. Actually I once saw what I thought was a speed check for carts in Springdale (Marion) next to the electrical facility.

[marygalexa]

I don't think they speed up their carts in order to get somewhere - I think the desire parallels the old competition thing that some people have too much of - if I hadn't seen a few woman doing the same thing, I'd swear it has to do with testosterone levels. At least that is what goes through my head when some moron rides my cart bumper and then flies around me like there was no tomorrow (and then a block down I see him sitting in his cart beside the trail chatting and laughing with someone.) Maybe he just needs to get a prescription from his doctor for Viagra.

[Taltarzac]

I don't think they speed up their carts in order to get somewhere - I think the desire parallels the old competition thing that some people have too much of - if I hadn't seen a few woman doing the same thing, I'd swear it has to do with testosterone levels. At least that is what goes through my head when some moron rides my cart bumper and then flies around me like there was no tomorrow (and then a block down I see him sitting in his cart beside the trail chatting and laughing with someone.) Maybe he just needs to get a prescription from his doctor for Viagra.


Speaking of Viagra? What's the ratio of men to women in the Villages? Does anyone know?

I do not see the really fancy golf carts speeding that often in TV. They do kind of stick out in some Villages, not so much in others.

[golfnut]

Hey taltarzac... do we have to call the topicop???

[trevor]

I put a bicycle speedometer on our cart from Walmart, less than $20. It works well and is quite accurate. You just have to calibrate it to your wheel size. It also has an odometer, tripmeter, and other goodies that cyclists use.


Hi Chacam,
I would like to do the same. I have them on my bicycles and have thought about adapting them to my cart. The question is where you attach the sensing unit/magnet? Also is it a wireless unit or one with a wire?

Trevor

[handieman]

:yikes:
I'm not touching this subject, no way. It does remind me that I need to refill my prescription :redface:
Handie :joke:

[Talk Host]

Hi Chacam,
I would like to do the same. I have them on my bicycles and have thought about adapting them to my cart. The question is where you attach the sensing unit/magnet? Also is it a wireless unit or one with a wire?

Trevor


I have installed five or six of them for friends. It is best to attatch the sensing unit to the rear axle. If you put it on the front wheel, it will give a false reading when you turn the tires one way or the other. (No not wireless)

JLK

[chacam]

I have the magnet attached to the wheel and the sensing unit attached to the steering arm. It counts wheel rotation and I don't see how it will give false readings. The wheel goes round when you turn a corner just as it does when you go straight.

[DDoug]

Now the issue of insurance should be addressed.

[Talk Host]

I have the magnet attached to the wheel and the sensing unit attached to the steering arm. It counts wheel rotation and I don't see how it will give false readings. The wheel goes round when you turn a corner just as it does when you go straight.


When it is mounted to the steering arm, the distance between the magnet and the sensor increases when you are in a full right or left turn. When the wheels are straight ahead the sensor and maget are close together. As you turn right or left, the outside throw of the rim increases the distance. Therefore, there will be no reading when the magnet is away from the sensor (switch) for that brief period. When it is mounted to the rear axle, the wheel ride is constant and there is no variiation in distance between the two.

[trevor]

I have the magnet attached to the wheel and the sensing unit attached to the steering arm. It counts wheel rotation and I don't see how it will give false readings. The wheel goes round when you turn a corner just as it does when you go straight.


Thanks Chacam for the information. I will give it a try.

Trevor

[blueeagle65]

Although I agree that golf cart traffic violations are a problem, I think they should address violations by licensed vehicles first. I am passed dozens of times daily by cars and trucks WAY over the speed limit and see many, many drivers ignoring red lights and STOP signs. And don't get me started on the inconsiderate @#$&'s that either don't know how or just don't use their turn signals. >:( Control them first then the golf cart problem.

[Taltarzac]

Hey taltarzac... do we have to call the topicop???



Sorry. Should have created a new topic. :(

[Avista]

"Although I agree that golf cart traffic violations are a problem, I think they should address violations by licensed vehicles first."

Can't they do both at the same time? Both violations are dangerous.

[chacam]

The way I have my speedometer sensor mounted there is a fixed distance between the magnet and sensor. That distance doesn't change when I go around a corner. SO, it reads wheel revolutions when ever the wheel is turning all the time ! ! If it is mounted the way talkhost describes, it will not work properly and it will be inaccurate to some degree.

[Cliff]

Why does a golf cart need a speedometer if the max speed they travel is 20mph and the max speed they are allowed to travel is 20mph? Me thinkith that the people discussing speedometers are the same ones who have tinkered with the cart they own and are the ones liable to be ticketed. Leave the cart legal and you never have to worry about getting stopped for speeding. :cop: ::)

[Talk Host]

Why does a golf cart need a speedometer if the max speed they travel is 20mph and the max speed they are allowed to travel is 20mph? Me thinkith that the people discussing speedometers are the same ones who have tinkered with the cart they own and are the ones liable to be ticketed. Leave the cart legal and you never have to worry about getting stopped for speeding. :cop: ::)


How do you know if your cart is legal if you don't know what your speed is. My standard, Par Car, out of the showroom, will do 26. I need a speedometer to be sure I am within the speed limit.

[SteveFromNY]

I figure if for no other reason, as the cart gets older the factory settings may not stay exactly on taget. Maybe when the cart can only go 17MPH I'd know it's in need of some work.
I don't know, it just seems like something I'd like to be aware of.

[villager99]

some streets in tv have speed limits less than 20 mph so even legal golf carts can be guilty of speeding through residential areas.
my old cart wouldn't exceed 10-15 but now that i have a newer one and can go 20 mph i'm becoming conscious of areas with lower speed limits.