golf carts crossing 441
 

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 road can you not cross in The Villages ??

What cities are allowing crossing of 441?

I think any road 35 mph or more..

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...

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????

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

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'

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

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.

Wow! thanks everyone
 

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?

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

From The Villages Voice - Sept. 2012....The Villages Buzz :

"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 :)

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.

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!