New Cop Car Golf Cart sighted.
 

Well, I passed the Sumter Sheriff's official Police Golf Cart on the multi-model trail this morning. No I should say we were going in different directions, I didn't actually PASS it.

Anyway, you speedsters.....and you know who you are....have been warned.

Oh, and I guess I should mention that it looked like it could go FAST!

19.9 I quess.

They have no authority on the multi-model paths.

I agree, but maybe they could pull you over for being unsafe? Endangering others? Or just to hassle you for going fast on the multi-modal path?

Give me a break, as a ret. member of a large city police dept. is that all they have to do? Jesus, we were just trying to stay alive at the end of the shift.
Gonna hassle golf cart drivers, what rookies:evil6:

Also there is a modular sign along the Buena Vista path, section that paralells Rt. 466 with a speed limit sign 20 mph and then an electronic sign that says "your speed"....but that part appears to be turned off. Guess they are trying to crack down and glad I had my speedometer installed last week!

Sparky, couldn't agree more!

They have more to worry about than golf carts. I'm sure these vehicles are for instances when they have to go where a car can't or shouldn't go. If you've been down the square you'll see them in some off-road bad-ass carts that look like a cross between a golf cart and a humvee.

It's not about the speed of golf carts. It's about the money they can generate giving tickets to golf carts. Since about 80% of the carts in TV can exceed the limit they are making money hand over fist.

Pretty creative of those Police guys. A "poop" patrol golf cart...make sure you always have a bag in hand while walking the hound or you're history with this new rolling stock.

They have no authority on the multi-modal paths.

What happens when you cross a county road?

I agree that they have no authority to pull you over for a moving violation, but if you are endangering public safety it may be a different issue. If you are on your own private property they can come on it and arrest you, so why not on a multi-modal path?

You're fair game. Same if you are driving your cart on any road or cart path adjacent to a road.

What if your cart is going 25 mph on a multi-modal path? Then it's not within the State's definition of a golf cart, and you shouldn't be on the multi-modal path. Result should be a ticket.

Point well taken but I think the State's definition is referring to golf carts operated on public roadways. This probably is a matter that needs to be addressed by the CDD. Maybe turn the multi-modal paths over to the counties so they can have authority? Maybe have mandatory golf cart inspection and/or ID? If you are observed/clocked doing 25 your cart is impounded?

Okay, reality check. I would just hope people use some common sense and don't kill themselves or some innocent bystander.

But if the local government were to act: The CDD has state issued license plates on the Community Watch trucks that roam our neighborhoods. The CDD is a state recognized organization. If they can fine you for not mowing your lawn seems they should be able to do something about speeding golf carts.

Are there many accidents on the multi-nodal cart paths? Just curious.

Bogie Shooter, where is it specifically written that police have no authority on multi-modal paths?

I could be wrong, but it was always my understanding that police can do their jobs anywhere within their city/village/county of employment.

Is it State law that the police have no authority on multi-modal paths? That means I can't be arrested if I commit a crime on a multi modal path?

Of the ones I recall (and there weren't that many) most were the result of a medical condition, missing a curve, etc. Don't remember speeding ever being listed as a cause.

I personally know of three people that have had golf cart accidents. Two were medical. One was bad judgement and ran off the path. Two were taken to the hospital by ambulance. One just banged up, minor cuts and bruises. I support keeping it below 20 mph.

I for one don't want the multi-model paths turned over to the county. If they are, anyone can use them. Next the executive courses then the rec centers. Just saying.

If that statistic is correct, 80% of the golf carts are essentially uninsured.

A traffic law will refer with specificity where it applies. Most traffic laws will state "highways" in their language or "roadway" or a few state "private property". You then have to refer to the Vehicle Code definations for those words to determine just what is a highway, roadway etc.

So some laws apply to highways, some roadways and some private property etc. I doubt that our rec paths fall into the definition of "highway" so any law that applies to a highway would not apply there. In order to determine what traffic laws if any can be enforced on our rec paths you need to consult a FL Vehicle Code. You would look at the definitions to see where our rec paths fall and then then look at the individual sections to see if they cover the type of roadway that the rec path is determined to be by definition.

I am using terms here from the PA Vehicle Code but the FL law would be similar.

So what stops "outsiders" from using the multi-modal paths now?

please help us here

What keeps 'anyone' and everyone' from using the paths now

cyclists from outside can and do use them, so can peds, dogs, carts....
Yes? No?

Thanks in advance

L and L

LnL -- So far as I know, the multimodal paths are open to anyone and anything except cars (even though they've been known to be seen on a path or two). I've shared the paths with bicycles of various types, scooters (not convinced they belong on the paths), walkers, runners, dogs, a cat on a halter and lead, a jogger pushing a wheelchair (occupied), other golf carts. So far, haven't seen a horse on the paths but I wouldn't be surprised if I did. I haven't asked any of these people if they were Village residents. I certainly haven't seen any sort of device where I would need to swipe my card to allow me access to a path. Given all of this, I doubt there is anything written that prohibits non-residents from using the paths.

I hear what you're saying, but I don't find your argument persuasive. Automobile laws are written addressing their operation being on "streets, roadways, and highways". So, you're saying that if I drive my automobile on a sidewalk or a multi-modal path within The Villages, the police can't give me a citation? I disagree.

It is partly defined in Florida statute that a "golf cart" is a motor vehicle that does not exceed 20 mph. Low speed vehicles (LSV) are also partly defined in Florida statute as going faster than 20 mph. Agreed? (If you want to see the specific citations, I can lead you to them). It's further stated in Florida statute that LSV's must be registered and can only be driven by licensed drivers. Go to: http://laws.flrules.org/1999/163. If the link doesn't work cut/paste the address into your browser.

See Section 316.2122 (1) (which I cut/pasted here)

"(1) A low-speed vehicle may be operated only on streets where the posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less. This does not prohibit a low-speed vehicle from crossing a road or street at an intersection where the road or street has a posted speed limit of more than 35 miles per hour."

I put the first sentence in bold, but the operative word in the sentence is "only". An LSV may be operated only on streets where the posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less.

My read of this statute indicates I can not legally operate my LSV on a sidewalk or multi-modal path.

I'm not a lawyer, but in my work life I had to frequently reference Civil Service Law and many union contracts. Therefore, I tend to refer to laws and other legal agreements when I have confusion or question issues.

Since Bogie Shooter and others on this forum have frequently stated that the police "have no authority" on the multi-modal paths, and since I don't understand why that is so, I looked up some laws.

Please note that I'm not commenting on what is (in my opinion) a reasonable or safe speed limit in a golf cart. I'm sticking with the laws, which are binding.

I could be wrong. I readily acknowledge I'm never right 100% of the time.

I ask that Bogie Shooter and/or others show me in Florida law where it states that the police have "no authority on multi-modal paths". I'm ready to be corrected.

I agree totally...Of all the things the police have to worry about, golf cart saftey is at the top of there list ?

Sounds to me like this police department has to much money to spend if they can buy golf carts. Also seems to me that as voters we should control that budget. Sounds to me like we have the wrong elected officials representing us as they are approving these excess budgets. Shouldn't that be the place to start? I would think as a voting group we have the ability to control how our tax money is spent. So follow the money and this issue can be resolved.

Here is something I found in an old Villages Voice issue with regards to enforcement on multi modal paths. This comes from The Villages Voice at: http://thevha.net/the-villages-voice...14&article=288

Question: What enforcement functions can Community Watch perform, such as trespassing, soliciting, and improper use of golf carts? Where can law enforcement issue tickets to violators (on streets only or cart paths and streets)?

Answer: Community Watch is The Villages eyes and ears, but has no law enforcement authority. CW aggressively pursues solicitors and closely cooperates with local law enforcement on other issues. Tickets may be issued on city and county roads (used by golf carts). Law enforcement cannot issue speeding tickets on multi modal trails (cart paths), but can ticket reckless driving (which could include speeding) on the cart paths.

It really clears things up about speeding tickets doesn't it :a20:? It does seem to indicate that speeding alone on a multi modal path is NOT an issue law enforcement would deal with.

As far as LSV laws, here is the actual statute:

316.2122 Operation of a low-speed vehicle on certain roadways.--The operation of a low-speed vehicle, as defined in s. 320.01(42), on any road as defined in s. 334.03(15) or (33), is authorized with the following restrictions:

Item 1 which you quote is a limitation to that statute. The purpose of statute is not to define the only places an LSV can drive, but is written to ALLOW an LSV to drive on roadways.

I do not find a set of rules for what is allowed on multi modal paths? What is to prevent a Smart Car?

I'm curious why some people are so dead set against the police enforcing golf cart laws. I am also curious why anybody would think that enforcing such laws is "as the top of their list."

Does anybody think that everybody in this community obeys all of the laws all of the time? Police in big cities focus their attention on the offenses that disturb the peace in big cities. Police in communities like the Villages, attend to offenses that disturb the peace in communities like The Villages. Comparing The Villages policing to "big city" policing is unfair.

When would it be acceptable for police to begin enforcing speeding and safety laws on golf carts? When half of us alter them to go 30....40....45? What do you suppose would happen it there was absolutely no enforcement?

When 10% of us do? Why was 19.5 miles per hour selected as the top speed? Could it have anything to do with our safety?

There are tons of people who think that it's unfair for police to give speeding tickets for exceeding the limit in their cars. I wonder why states like Florida have a "Highway Patrol" that is dedicated specifically to enforcement of traffic laws. Could it have anything to do with our safety?

It's interesting that people scream about laws that are passed and are unenforced. Then they scream when laws are passed, then enforced.

Anytime you get two or more people together in one place, you need police.

One has to wonder why some people are so adamantly against cart safey enforcement. Every country in the world has police to enforce its laws because without them, people break the laws. Don't forget, residents are not the only ones who drive carts here. There are kids, grandkids and visitors.

None of these are from the Villages, but they are people. Just like people who live here.

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o...crash_t607.jpg

http://www.break.com/index/golf-cart-back-flip.html

http://www.bofunk.com/video/5851/dru..._accident.html

In that above picture. Is that a golf cart or a lawn mower?

TalkHost, That is an amazing picture. Do you know the details of what caused that damage?

I Made no argument. I only explained how the law is applied and at no time did I indicate that no laws apply to golf carts on rec trails. There may be specific laws regulating golf carts on rec trails but I have no idea what they may be. An example could be the prohibition of operating while under the influence.

What I am saying is that the vast amount of vehicle laws do not apply in that they were written to apply to cars and trucks on highways. Generally speaking any public street is a highway.

Perhaps an easy way to resolve all this is for someone to call the Sumter County Sheriff Department and ask them this question. What specific laws regulate the operation of golf carts on the rec trails in The Villages?

From the viewpoint of a gonnabe outsider, Wouldn't the deputies need to respond to a complaint from the owner of the cart trails/multimodal paths because they are private property??

Think About It
 

Everyone seems to be forgetting the most important thing:

Being able to operate our golf carts for getting around anywhere other than the golf courses only is a privilege and not a right which the state can rescind at any time. When that happens, then we can all: either rent carts at the courses; store your cart for a fee at one course like some country clubs around the country; purchase a trailer and haul it to whichever course to be played that day; drive your car everywhere else and/or use alternate transportation.

Check out some of the other retirement communities and you will see what I mean. Hot Springs Village in AK comes to mind...we used to own property there and that's how it was. You also had to pay to play all the courses and had to join the only country club they had to be able to play there.

We've got it great, folks. Let's not mess it up.

According to a Sumter County policeman at the golf cart safety seminar last week, there is no speed limit on the multi-modal paths.

Did he also tell you that the multi-modal paths are for golf carts? They can only go 20 mph or less, per State law.

Did he also specifically tell you that the multi-modal paths are for LSVs? They go more than 20 mph, per State law.

Someone correct me if I am wrong. I think I read somewhere that the VHA donated the golf carts to the police.

whats that have to do with anything. my car will go 140mph...doesnt mean i do it!