Golf Cart racing
 

As we have more golf carts here than anywhere else on the planet, I am sure many would enjoy golf cart racing in The Villages. It is my understanding that law enforcement doesn’t have any authority on the multi-modal paths. And, The Village government doesn’t have any law enforcement authority at all. So, why don’t we have official racing on the paths? I believe that the suggested speed on the paths is 20 but it can’t be enforced. Racing might allow everyone to become better drivers. We will soon have striping to help us stay on the paths at higher speeds. Let’s go for it and fulfill our need for speed.

Watch the world's fastest golf cart drag race at 118 MPH - SBNation.com

Or, should we encourage the Florida legislature to change the CDD rules to allow someone to have law enforcement authority on the multi-modal trails. This change could be added to the other suggested change to CDD statutes that would allow enforcement of parking rules on the side streets. Let’s go racing or not.

Please read III Enforcement on page 4 as presented on the districgov web site.

http://www.districtgov.org/community...Modal-Memo.pdf

Is this good self-regulation by default or is it about time for a needed change? Is my understanding of this situation accurate?

I dunno, but it sounds like you are thinking a lot about the Villages while you are in Ohio. Right out of the gate you were really interested in getting the speed reduced on golf carts to 15MPH, if I remember correctly, and I think that is before your purchase of one. Correct me if I am wrong.

Being a traditionalist, I am interested in not having more government going on.

Is it our understanding you don't live here?

I do want to have a better understanding of how things operate in The Village for my return. I have never stated nor do I have a clue at this point in time about speed limits. I believe I did quote another person on her view of speed limits, not mine. Yes, I wish I could spend more time there. I own a new home there in Lake Deaton and my wife says we may live there full time! Not sure what this has to do with my questions?

Remember graciegirl, I don’t ask questions because they are easy, but because they are hard questions.

We are all concerned about golf cart safety, but not much can change that they are open vehicles.


This is the thread that I remember and I think there is something on this thread about an elected CDD woman voicing her interest in lowering the speed limit to 15.




https://www.talkofthevillages.com/fo...achine-145930/

I think this explains about everything.....................or is my thinking this way, due to it being 5:10PM.:beer3:

As an owner you have a vested interest in the community just like the rest of us. I misunderstood your intention. I'm sorry. Ordinarily I try to avoid these kinds of discussions but I feel like I owe you my thoughts on the subject.

I don't own a cart. I bike the multi-modules. I think the speed limit is 20 mph.

Yesterday I golfed with a friend who told me that his friend, an insurance investigator determines as soon as possible if a golf cart in an accident has been tampered with. I think he was referring to the speed settings. If it can move above 20 mph he said it makes a difference.

I think that would be enough information for a reasonable person not to drive a cart that can exceed 20 mph. I think the liability motivates more than a ticket, safety or ethics.

I may delete all of this. As I said..................

Here's something that is legal, already operating, and is only a 1/2 mile from Colony Plaza. America's oldest operating go-cart dirt track. Besides, does anyone want to forfeit their golf cart insurance while performing dangerous and high speed stunts?

Speedway Park | Fruitland Park Florida 34731

http://www.speedwaypark.biz/Speedway_Park.jpg

http://www.speedwaypark.biz/tn_FP_9-18___380_.JPG

Why they even bother to talk about such things as speed limits with enforcement not a possibility. Am I correct about my understanding of this situation?

Time saved at higher speed?
 

Curious as to how much time on average would you save running a typical errand in a golf cart that had been tampered with compared to the stock cart most own? As I have gotten older I really don't worry about a couple of minutes here and there. To me, lowering speeds would only increase the amount of fines collected, just like in cars.

As I have flown fast aircraft in the past, my need for speed is over. As my friends know me as a kidder, I was not serious about racing on the paths. However, I don’t understand what legal rules keep me from speeding as there is currently no power of enforcement of any rules on the path as I understand it except for self- regulation. That may be enough. I am not sure others understand this situation from reading their suggestion on how to make the path safer.

One can only assume that the golf cart racing proposal is a joke, since it is so ridiculous on its' face. But, I am responding based upon your mistaken belief that "law enforcement doesn't have any authority on the multi-modal paths." This is incorrect. The legal brief that someone has already provided a link to simply says the police cannot enforce traffic control devices on the paths.

One quick example is that DUI laws which apply "anywhere in the state," not just on the public roads. Reckless Driving, Willful and Wanton, does not require violation of a speed limit to apply. You get the idea.

You are correct on both points( the joke and DUI ) and I thank you very much. Many other rules may not be enforceable.

Hey, when you get here, can I help you to organize a pylon race around the water towers? No rule against that, yet.

I would be happy to race. However, even birds can beat me when flying my J-3 Cub so I don't race. There are FAA rules that govern flying in the air above you and the FAA does enforce all of their rules.

Speed may not be enforced at this time on the MM Trails but it is in fact enforced on the roads and you have to be on a road to get to the trail. I also believe that the Sumter County Sheriff's Dept, and the Lady Lake Police Department do in fact have Police Carts that are capable of patrolling the MM trail.

. People have received tickets while driving golf carts. I think the sheriff's office has a couple of golf carts too.

Here is a thread on the subject of golf cart tickets;

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/fo...f+cart+tickets

And this thread quotes the latest laws about golf carts from the VHA Newsletter;


https://www.talkofthevillages.com/fo...rt-laws-66907/

Thanks for the references but they do not seem to address the question of actions on the multi-modal paths. Please note that I referenced the current information as presented on the district web site to bring into question enforcement on the multi-modal paths. DUI is a special event and there may be others that enable law enforcement to take action.

http://www.districtgov.org/community...Modal-Memo.pdf

What is your goal in this? Perhaps it would be clearer if you called the non emergency line of the Sumter County Sheriff's office?

I'm with you Gracie. I just don't get the point of this thread. We are adults and we know the rules. Some will always push the envelope but most of us are responsible enough to "self police".

People ask questions all the time on Talk of the Villages. Sometime answers are found here and sometimes not. I am hopeful someone can explain to me what is found on the District web site describing a lack of enforcement capability by the Villages and law enforcement on the multi-modal paths. If one doesn’t have an answer, another may. If I can remember to ask this question in four or more months when I return to TV, I will try to attend another Welcome Wednesday meeting to ask. Sorry you don’t like the question.

Just like in your car you can break the law and speed. Which happens every day down every road. Golf carts are not suppose to exceed 20 mph. There don't have to be speed limits posted if the cart can't exceed 20 mph. Now If you tamper with the governed speed of golf car You or them are breaking the law and will be punished when caught just like getting caught speeding.

Now for the LSV using golf cart paths? IMO they Shouldn't be allowed do the the fact they Are street legal vehicles capable of exceed the 20 mph limited speed of golf cart. But, that's my opinion which don't mean anything:22yikes:

People find ways to skirt or cheat about every law. So what the point of this? If you are law breaker or cheater willl posted sign going to stop them?

Laws without consequences. If I understand correctly the dilemma the Villages and law enforcement face on enforcement of many rules broken on the multi-modal paths, then we only have self- regulation which may or may not be enough and appropriate for the level of safety we would like to attain. In the RC world, we operate under self-regulation and dread what rules the FAA might enact because they have enforce powers. I can see both sides of this issue.

Am I correct in my understanding of what is on districgov site when it comes to lack of enforcement capabilities on the multi-modal trails? Everyone in TV who uses a golf cart should know this. I will use as my excuse I am new to TV.

We are somewhat new to all of this but we do own a cart (electric). It will do 20 MPH. We are passed regularly by other golf cars. One evening we were playing billiards and there was a big discussion going on about how fast everyone's golf car could go. The claims were from 25 to 35. Most of the attendees were very proud of having their cars modified (and some did it themselves). The biggest discussion was about someone altering the speed as quickly as humanly possible when they got their golf car. I don't think 20 MPH is a problem IF it were to actually be enforced. I personally don't believe reducing the speed limit to 15 and doing nothing to enforce the lower limit will have any impact whatsoever.

This is crazy!!!

:spoken:

Are you aware the lack of "law enforcement capabilities" by ALL FL CDD's is found in the FL statues that authorized CDD's and passed by FL legislative actions? The statutes specifically exclude those powers for CDDs.

For that reason, law enforcement power cannot be an option for TV even if TV wanted it.

Perhaps when are become a resident of FL, you could contact our local state legislature reps to lobby your concerns about how "fast" someone drives on multi-modal paths. :thumbup:

Then again you may want to first host a couple of driveway parties and spend a couple of afternoons at your local pool to bounce your thoughts of 15 mph limit on multi-modal trails off neighbors and friends. :D

Don

:read: Sometimes the right question is,
Are we asking the right question. Abraham Lincoln

I agree and expressed that in my second post that wasn’t a joke "Or, should we encourage the Florida legislature to change the CDD rules to allow someone to have law enforcement authority on the multi-modal trails. This change could be added to the other suggested change to CDD statutes that would allow enforcement of parking rules on the side streets. “ And I say someone because no one with a few exceptions (DUI) has the power at present to enforce rules on the multi-modal paths.


This situation is present in all Florida CDDs thus is not unique to the Villages other than we have one heck of a lot more golf carts here than any other place in the world.

I don’t believe anyone can talk about speed limits except around pools until data is collected and analyzed. Nothing has been collected as far as I can tell.

You seem to be obsessed with legislating golf cart speeds and seat belts. If you want seat belts, install seat belts. If you don't want to go over 15 mph, don't go over15 mph. If you are so concerned with golf cart safety, maybe you should not drive or ride in a golf cart. There are enough laws on the books. You commented that you don't want your RC hobby legislated, and then it seems all you do is post about legislating golf cart operation. Tell us how you feel about jumbo sized drinks.

Sometimes rules are written and the only enforceable option is the honor system. We see this in professional golf all the time. Since you're always talking about the FAA, how about the rule that no aircraft shall exceed 250 kts (288 mph) under 10,000 feet.

If you were flying something other than your Cub, maybe a turbo prop or a twin and you decided to fly at 8,000 at 300 kts, and since you're VFR you are only squawking 1200 and you're not in contact with ATC, who is responsible for your speed. The answer of course is 'you', the same person who is operating his golf cart below 20 mph.

what a ridiculous thread, most people obey the speed limit those that don't speed in their cars as well despite the fact that it is enforced on the roads, legislate it and all that will change is a few tickets....

The right question is: Should you "ban" the golf cart or fine a resident who is driving a golf cart that has the ability to travel 25-30 mph on a multi-modal trail or on any other street within The Villages?

That is the question we should be asking----instead of all this other "attention getting" gobbly gook!

When the speed limit is 35mph, we travel around TV in cars that will do 100mph and more. You see where I'm going and my rationale for saying leave the golf carts in TV just like they are and keep the Government out of the picture.

I don't believe that you gain anything by giving a resident of TV a huge fine for having a golf cart that can go 5 miles over the legal speed of 20mph. That rationale is not only nonsense it defies common sense IMHO.

If you are going to fine a resident for having a golf cart that will go 5mph over the speed limit, then to be fair you should fine a resident for having a car that will go 75mph over the legal speed limit. All nonsense!

More rules equals less freedom. Common sense should prevail.

:thumbup:

Do I now have this correct? The 42 miles of multi-modal paths in TV have many rules that can’t be enforced because of the way CDDs were setup in Florida. However, we don’t need enforcement of those rules on the paths because we all do a good job of self-regulation and enforcement is an unnecessary evil. The safety record of golf cart use in TV is at an acceptable level.

As I have not seen any speed data of actual golf cart travel on the paths, I will just have to accept your conclusions that people are using common sense with their operation of golf carts and try to avoid those that don’t.

"If you are going to fine a resident for having a golf cart that will go 5mph over the speed limit, then to be fair you should fine a resident for having a car that will go 75mph over the legal speed limit. All nonsense! "

I agree completely! I would hope that at our stage of life we have learned that No Law can protect people from being irresponsible. . . AND usually when people do try to legislate life the "Law of Unintended Consequences" creates more problems then ever anticipated.

Bingo! :D:thumbup:
Don

twoplanekid: Perhaps you would have been wiser to have lived here for a while before making such ridiculous suggestions. I haven't seen a whole lot of issues with speed on multi-modal paths because irrespective of a carts speed the nature and application of the multi-modal paths keeps speed at a minimum along with the fact that most cart owners are responsible people.

I like that the Districts do not have policing powers but then I like less government and so ,and while respectively submitted, I resent your attempt to imposing more rules and regulations on the rest of us

The police can and do check for golf cart speeders on diamond lanes. I certainly do not want to waste taxpayer money for some officer to issue a senior a speeding ticket for going 21 mph.

My cart is set at 20mph so that you understand I have no self interests here

Now for some history, and since I am late to this thread surprised that another poster had not mentioned it.

The fact is for the first few years that I lived here ( moved in 2006) the local sheriff's department would periodically advertise they were sponsoring golf cart racing. Now why would a local sheriff's department sponsor racing to see who had the fastest carts? I assure you I never bit

In summary please consider a live let live attitude here because all we really want anymore is not to be managed we had enough of that while raising our families and tending to our occupational pursuits.

Personal Best Regards: