[zcaveman]

THis was in today's Daily Sun (6/20)

Golf carts must cruise under 20 mph or be registered like a car

By CURT HILLS, DAILY SUN

THE VILLAGES — Bob Gilmartin believes he has a “hot” golf cart.

But its top speed doesn’t even reach 20 mph. And The Villages resident and Village Community Development District 2 supervisor knows that’s the way it should be.

Gilmartin only wishes he could say the same about other golf carts that go buzzing by him even though he’s got the accelerator pedal floored.

“Some of these guys go by me like they’ve got an outboard motor on their golf cart,” Gilmartin said. “Are we catching any of these guys?”

Yes, law enforcement officers are stopping those golf carts, said Lt. Nehemiah Wolfe with the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office.

In Sumter County alone, which accounts for the largest portion of The Villages, 12 golf cart operators were issued tickets in the last month for speeding, Wolfe recently reported to Gilmartin and other CDD supervisors. Golf carts are manufactured to not exceed 19 mph.




Speeding ticket fines start at about $120, Wolfe said, but that’s just the beginning of the problems of a golf cart operator who speeds.

“What will happen is we’ll tag them for operating a motor vehicle without a registration — keeping in mind that the state of Florida does not recognize a golf cart as a motor vehicle,” Wolfe said. “But once it exceeds its manufacturer’s specifications or capabilities, it no longer is considered a golf cart.”

At that point, the golf cart is considered a motor vehicle that must be registered and insured, Wolfe said. If it’s not registered and insured, then it’s in violation of the law.

“That’s not a slap on the hand,” Wolfe said of the penalties.

Operating a motor vehicle without proper registration is a violation that earns the operator an appearance before a county judge.

“It’s my understanding what’s been happening is by the time they walk out of the courtroom, they’ve paid $300 in fines, plus they’re ordered to have the golf cart (modified) so it complies (with speed requirements),” Wolfe said.

Fine plus cart alterations is costing owners about $600 to $800, Wolfe estimated.

Golf cart owners also should remember to not let anyone under age 14 operate their carts — that’s illegal. And Wolfe said that traffic stop can come back and haunt an underage driver years later when they attempt to obtain a license, because the traffic violation will show up on their driving record.

[GatorFan]

The problem is that there are many in The Villages that feel they are above the law and that it is not a big deal to drive a souped up golf cart. I can not tell you how many times I have heard, " Well my neighbor has one"

[beady]

Just a guess, but I bet the folks that get a $120.00 ticket will change their minds about souped up carts. We followed a man down the Beuna Vista golf path driving at 26 mph. We slowed down on the road and clocked him on our speedometer.

[Johnp]

Hello my wife and I will be moving to the Villages in the near future, I understand the law as is for golf carts under Florida and County laws, my question is are there safety courses for golf cart operators?

[DonH57]

Originally Posted by beady

Just a guess, but I bet the folks that get a $120.00 ticket will change their minds about souped up carts. We followed a man down the Beuna Vista golf path driving at 26 mph. We slowed down on the road and clocked him on our speedometer.

I would agree. I've been passed by others like my cart was creeping and I'd be doing 20. The fact most are speeding recklessly that worrys me.The first time these people are ticketed will make a big hole in the wallet and hopefully it happens before they damage property or worse hurt someone.

[memason]

Be advised.... This thread is from 2008!

[Steve9930]

Originally Posted by chacam

There is no law that prevents you from driving 30 MPH on a golf cart path in your cart. They are not roads. But if you cause an accident on a cart path because you were speeding, you can be cited for reckless driving.

If you have a Golf Cart that will travel greater then 19 MPH on the Golf Cart path, and you have an accident with another cart. Get a good attorney, your going to need one. You'll need one anyway but driving one of these modified carts, which are no longer considered a legal golf cart puts new wrinkles into the mix. Also if you have insurance for your cart, and the cart is illegal as a defined golf cart your insurance company just may tell you good luck, your on your own.

[Steve9930]

Originally Posted by redwitch

I'm wondering if Florida has a law that if a private property owner gives permission (shopping mall parking lots, etc.), officers can cite those breaking street laws. I know this is the case in California. If so, the CCDs or developer may have given or could give the Sheriff's Dept. permission to cite those breaking the law on the recreational paths. This would certainly end any argument about there being no right to cite.

Yes, and I've seen the Police Issue citations in the parking lot.

[Indydealmaker]

Originally Posted by memason

Be advised.... This thread is from 2008!

Another Golden Oldie!

[Steve9930]

Originally Posted by bimmertl

Not true. Most policies are written very broadly to cover a multitude of recreational vehicles. State Farm, the largest auto and boat insurer in the US, issues a "recreational vehicle policy" which applies to a multitude of rec vehicles. The policy lists your described golf cart as the insured vehicle and covers that specific vehicle which is called a "golfmobile" in the policy. In order to not be covered, the policy would have to strip coverage for modifications to the vehicle either by a change in the definition or by an exclusion listed in the liability coverage section. It's not done in the policy and coverage applies even if it's modified to go faster.

I attended the Villages golf safety course and listened to the insurance agent who was there make the statement there isn't any coverage if it's "modified". I was going to ask her for specifics after the meeting but there were people lined up to talk to her so I ultimately didn't.
Arguably putting larger tires on the cart or even a bug screen is a modification to the cart so then what?

Take a look at your golf cart policy. See where it lists the described vehicle and look at the policy definition of a golf cart, rec vehicle, or whatever. Then look at the liability section of the policy. There will most likely be two sections, one stating when and where liability coverage applies, and then the exclusions section which states something like "when liability coverage doesn't apply". Look for language limiting or stripping coverage if insured vehicle is modified. Doubt you'll find such language.

This may be true but lets set aside the insurance part for now. If you modify the cart to travel greater then 20 MPH. The cart is now, by state law not a golf cart. You can do what you want with the Vehicle on private property. Once you cross on to a public road, if you get caught, you will be cited for operating an unlicensed vehicle on a public road. Should you have an accident you now enter into another problem. Will or will not your insurance company cover you, you are going to be cited, you are going to court, your going to be fined, and you may be liable with no insurance coverage. Why would you want to take that risk? Also the top speed I believe allowed for an LSV is 25 MPH. So for another 5 MPH you will put yourself at risk. I have a hard time understanding that decision.

[Steve9930]

Originally Posted by duffer4384

My wife and I are retiring to The Villages in a week. Been looking forward to this for a long time. I don't plan to be in a hurry to do anything in my retirement, had to punch a clock my whole career, probably won't even bring a clock with me to The Villages, unless I need to know how long till happy hour. If you see a long line of carts on the trail, I'll be the one up front holding everyone up. I think I'll get a sign for my cart that says, IF YOU CAN READ THIS, YOU'RE NOT RETIRED. See you all in a week.

I don't even wear a watch any more. I'll get there when I get there.

[Indydealmaker]

Originally Posted by Steve9930

This may be true but lets set aside the insurance part for now. If you modify the cart to travel greater then 20 MPH. The cart is now, by state law not a golf cart. You can do what you want with the Vehicle on private property. Once you cross on to a public road, if you get caught, you will be cited for operating an unlicensed vehicle on a public road. Should you have an accident you now enter into another problem. Will or will not your insurance company cover you, you are going to be cited, you are going to court, your going to be fined, and you may be liable with no insurance coverage. Why would you want to take that risk? Also the top speed I believe allowed for an LSV is 25 MPH. So for another 5 MPH you will put yourself at risk. I have a hard time understanding that decision.

Steve, you are correct. This has also been confirmed by the Sumter County sheriff. You MAY not be at risk of being uninsured OFFROAD, but once you enter the public streets, the insurance company has a legal out if you are driving an illegal vehicle and insurance companies ALWAYS look for ways to deny significant claims.

[DonH57]

Originally Posted by Steve9930

I don't even wear a watch any more. I'll get there when I get there.

That's the best way to do it! Welcome to TV.

[annaconner]

A question about LSVs - can they travel on cart paths AND roads, surely it should be one OR the other

[justjim]

Just yesterday while traveling in my golf cart right at 20mph I was passed 8 times between Buttonwood and Arnold Palmer's----only two carts passed me while on the recreational trails. For whatever reason people are in a hurry!

It appears to me that many carts are traveling 24-25mph. Does that bother me---not at at all.

The legal speed for a Street Legal Cart is 25mph. I have followed more than one going 30mph. Does that bother me----not at all.

What's the big deal? IMHO speed is not the main reason for accidents. That's just my opinion but I think carelessness, lack of focus and perhaps too much alcohol causes the bulk of golf cart accidents in TV.

Is it "best" to travel 20mph or less in our golf carts----yes.