Golf Cart vs Car
 

Several times I've seen issues with a car needing to make a right turn into a street and a line of golf carts in the golf cart lane preventing the car's ability to turn. Is it correct to assume that the golf carts have the right of way and the car needs to wait until the line of carts passes? Picture a golf cart parade / rally and a busy road and you have a traffic problem. At this particular intersection I have seen lines of 8 - 10 golf carts before the car has a chance to make the turn safely. Comments / Suggestions?

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Very good suggestion.:beer3:

I general golf carts should not have the right of way but when in a golf cart lane they have those rights. Most busy intersections have the golf carts merge into the travel lane to give cars the opportunity to turn as needed.

John_W, I do the exact same thing, have been doing it for over 7 years, no problems. I find this especially useful when the golf carts can do close to 30 mph and can 'sneak' up on you as you are slowing down. Always use turn signals.

Both John and Villagetinker are incorrect. Do not travel any distance in a designated golf cart lane, you are not a golf cart, you are operating a motor vehicle.

I can prove this to you quite simply. If it was a line of cyclists in the cart lane would you jump in the lane? Even if you are too much of a hurry to wait for the cyclists? What if there are 18 cyclists are you in the right then?

No. You wait for all the carts to pass then you safely execute your turn.

Things have certainly changed since the "old days" when upon turning into the villages from OBT/441, you found signs, very large signs, saying, "Caution, you are entering a golf ca1 rt community, golf carts have the right of way". Of course at one time, residents and renters alike almost all attended the (nearly mandatory) sessions on driving in the Villages, and also proper golf etiquette along with any local rules specifics to the V's, were taught. Don't think any of that happens any more, or if it does, seems few attended for sure. Saw two more serious accidents yesterday, seems it's a daily thing any more, sad to see, lots of changes here over the years but should not have to culminate in so many accidents and injuries. Seems to me 75% of the auto and cart traffic any more is in extreme hurry, EXTREME. Went to market day at Brownwood, Buena Vista was like a race track, no one paid any attention to the speed limit even though an empty squad car was present with a speed warning sign ! Never saw so many people in one place pay to little attention to speed and safety ? What is it doing this ??

This is why for my next birthday have asked my wife to buy me a Sherman tank to drive around here.:a040:

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I get it.

In today's world, where everyone has an opinion and thinks they deserve some special consideration isn't it wonderful that traffic laws are binary. There is the correct way to operate a motor vehicle and there is the wrong way

Again, you are not a golf cart, do not pretend you are, do not travel any distance in the cart lane. Do not operate under your own interpretation of the Florida code. Taking one third to one quarter of a cart lane for any length of time is a clear violation of Florida Statutes § 316.089

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No, no, no...golf carts do not have the right of way!!! It's foolish to think/act otherwise.

I'll be glad to point out which statute allows golf carts to operate on Florida roads, they are not acting as motor vehicles. Here it is: 316.212,  Operation of golf carts on certain roadways. Please review, any questions?

I am delighted to point out it is legal for a motor vehicle to cross a cart lane when traffic is clear and you have signaled your intentions. It is not legal to follow John's method to travel in a cart lane "by a few feet" for any length. The statue is clear.

Isn't that wonderful! We live in a state where the law is crystal clear. In some states the law and legal system has fallen apart so much that it's OK to riot and defecate in the street. Seriously, the destruction of society starts in small steps, when individuals decide for themselves it's ok to do as they please. If traffic laws require that you 'hold up traffic" while you wait for the carts to clear that is what a responsible operator of a motor vehicle does.

Would you allow me to forward your posts to your insurance agency because you have discovered a great a great idea? No, of course not. And there is your answer.

I agree, keep doing what you makes you comfortable, the police seem to be ok with cars sliding into the cart lane when making a right turn....in fact I have seen them do the same thing when turning into our mail stop. Sometimes common sense takes precedence over statutes.