Kids driving golf carts, dogs in restaurants....I guess now we all get to do whatever "feels good".

I guess all the old rules that got us where we are as a society today are for the uninformed and unenlightened.

It's the law in Florida you have to be 14 to drive a golf cart.

Although the OP was telling us about a much younger child of six to nine, young drivers even if they are old enough to drive and have licenses are still faced with the unfamiliar pathways and golf cart traffic. I have too often seen some too fast turns and some "showing off" of young drivers.

We see it every year at Spring Break time. I will try to republish the picture of the young men standing next to grandpa's wrecked golf cart in front of Sweetbay a couple of years ago from this forum. There is absolutely nothing we can do but feel anguish and worry at this very scary behavior.


The well intentioned calling out from the OP about a very little person driving, got back the new version of mind your own business, I will run you old farts down with my kid driving and hurt her and shut up old stupid man. He is the same guy who will defend that child if the teacher says she is misbehaving in school.


Venting does make us feel better. But that is all we can do. Another reason for some kind of numbers on the cart but taking pictures while driving is another risky behavior. We can't forget that 13 people have been killed in golf cart accidents here in the last four years. Be VERY very careful please.


https://www.talkofthevillages.com/fo...11-photo-3.jpg

The deaths and stupid driving has very little to do with the age of the driver. I have witnessed many dangerous drivers in golf carts over the years, but none have had drivers under 50. How many of us learned to drive a car while sitting on dad's laps steering while he worked the peddles. Before putting the blame on our young folks, read this link for the facts.

http://www.americanownews.com/story/...f-cart-dangers

NOTE: The very young have not gained experience. The very old have lost their reflexes. Both are dangerous behind the wheel.

Most of the times I've witnessed close calls on the cart paths or roads were due to speeding and near loss of control of a cart, a senior was behind the wheel. I've very seldom seen teenagers flying around wrecklessly in a cart here in the villages and most were very polite in their manners. Seniors should know better.

That's all you got from the OP? That kid should NOT have been driving a golf cart!!

I can't believe that you think it is OK for anyone to ride on the back of a golf cart. That's extremely dangerous. The straps were not designed to hold people. They go through the handle of your golf bag and kids don't have handles. They can still fall out and be run over.

This is another reason that golf carts should have a means of identification. You can't always follow one. If you are in a golf cart, maybe; but not necessarily when you are in a car. A prime example is a few months ago someone's Corvette was hit by a golf cart and the driver backed up and left the scene of the accident. To my knowledge, the owner of the Corvette had to repair at their own expense or insurance's expense.

I've seen some teens driving carefully, but the concern is those under 14 driving a cart. Even if with an adult, not sure this is safe..for those in the cart and others....and it's prohibited by law in this state. What type of message does that convey to grandkids? You can break the law and scream profanities at those who feel you are no exception to the rules?

Playing Devil's Advocate Here
 

I'm going to take a chance and play Devil's Advocate, but first, I want to say that I also would never let little ones drive a golf cart.
It would be potentially dangerous and foolhardy, to say the least.

However, up in New England and New York State, lots of "kids" have ATV's, little motor bikes and snowmobiles......which they ride with their parents. Maybe, the parents were thinking the code of conduct was transferable? Who knows.

There have been some tragic accidents up here with little ones getting into serious trouble on the ATV's and snowmobiles, etc.

With the fast speed of the traffic we experienced in The Villages, I know I would not allow my grandchildren to be out and about on a golf cart.........and might even be worried about them riding a bicycle unless it was right in a quiet neighborhood.

Our son in law taught their three to cycle responsibly on twisty turny country roads from a young age.........they went all over on their bicycles, and always bring their bikes when they visit us, going up and down the hills and all over town which has no sidewalks for the most part......so maybe, just maybe, some of those visitors were also from the "country" and not the city.

But, I do agree with original poster. I would worry and say NO.
But, grandparents are often over ruled by the middle aged adult parents.

That's true. Breaking the law and shouting obscenities at others sets a poor example of behavior to children. Driving the cart under 14 is against the law here in Florida. In a pinch the little ones make for a designated driver though.:D

Hopefully you really didn't believe I think that is ok. Right! Coffee shot right thru my nose when I read this.:duck:

Sorry, if I took it the wrong way, but we have actually seen kids standing on the back of a golf cart and the straps around them. I didn't know if you might have been that person or not. Again, sorry.

Policing
 

Kid's under 14 driving is really a "Policing" problem and it would be nice to have a Sheriff assigned to monitoring these violations during critical times, (e.g. Holidays when kids are out of school and most likely with Grandma and Grandpa
in The Villages.) At Graduating time you could always watch for students taking golf carts and running over the courses, at holiday times you can alway plan on the Grandparents allowing the young kids to treat the Golf Cart like it is a toy. IT IS NOT, We see it many times and just marvel at how stupid the adults are who allow this practice. Where the heck is the Sheriff's Office. I know they have other things but this should be one of their "OTHER THINGS".:ho:

Not a problem. I was not offended.

The sheriff's office is in Bushnell and a branch on Morse Blvd near CR466.

thanks gracie. you are consistently a voice of reason in this wilderness.