[DAVES]

Originally Posted by Boffin

The golf cart driving age in Florida is currently 14 years old. That may soon change.
By Ana Goñi-Lessan

Some Florida teens may no longer be able to drive a golf cart around their neighborhoods.

A bill that would raise the age and add requirements to operate a golf cart passed through the Senate Committee on Transportation on Tuesday. SB 1290, sponsored by Sen. Erin Grall- R, Ft. Pierce, prohibits a person from driving a golf cart on public roadways unless they are 15 with a learner's permit or 16 with a license.

Those with learner's permits must have someone 21 and older in the passenger seat of the golf cart.

"There's a level of training that we expect when people operate a vehicle on our public roadways," Grall said.

Currently, Florida law allows a 14-year-old to drive a golf cart, which Grall said makes it difficult for local governments to enact their own laws that would raise the age.

Golf carts do not require insurance and do not exceed 20 miles per hour.
Law enforcement agencies across the state supported the bill, citing the the increase of golf cart communities in the state.

"It's a fabulous idea, it's a great thing. But the problem is we don't need 14-year-olds operating a golf cart on a highway," said St. John's County Sheriff's Office Director of Patrol Scott Beaver.

We regularly try to legislate perfection. Only trouble is perfection does not exist. Why 15 and not 18?

How many seniors should not be driving? Endless other posts note it says 20 MPH.

[DAVES]

Originally Posted by JGibson

I don't understand how these so-called street legal carts can travel on Buena Vista, 441, 466.

What makes them street-legal? Insurance? Registration? Are they equipped with some special equipment?

I also see these so-called street-legal carts on MMP and golf courses.

What’s the catch how do I get this luxury?

As previously posted we try to legislate perfection. Perfection does not exist.

In terms of the law, all should look it up. Ignorance of the law is not a defense.
Nor is someone with a pseudo-name on Talk of the Villages said that...........

All may want to check. Used to be the police were at the Savanna Center once a month and you could ask any such questions. Time, dates-I would check if interested.

[Donegalkid]

Originally Posted by vintageogauge

Only a fool would drive a golf cart without insurance if you cause an accident and have any wealth at all Dan Newlin will be making a call.

Yes. And following an accident, one of the first things checked is whether or not the golf cart speed regulator has been altered. Interesting data for the personal injury attorneys and the insurance companies.

[Johnsocat]

Agree, some folks here have lost ability to drive cars, leaving them with golf carts to keep their independence.
Anytime the govt gets involved, we seem to lose something.

Originally Posted by Bill14564

I don't see anything in the bill requiring those with learner's permits to have someone 21 or over riding with them.

I feel it is at best unnecessary and at worst another step down an undesirable path.

If the requirement for a learner's permit is needed to ensure those on the streets understand basic rules of the road then shouldn't we require learner's permits for bicyclists as well? Perhaps even more so since mistakes are more deadly on a bicycle than on a golf cart?

The more we treat golf carts like cars, the easier it will be to eliminate any differences. Do we really want to require insurance for golf carts? Do we really want to require safety glass, seatbelts, self-canceling turn signals, and airbags on golf carts? Do we really want to require Florida vehicle registration for golf carts?

Then again, this law is no surprise in the "free state" of Florida.

[Byte1]

Originally Posted by MrFlorida

You ever see a 10 year old drive a golf cart up on somebody's lawn ?
I have.....it's not funny...

Haven't seen a "10yo" drive on somebody's lawn but I have seen a neighbor driving a golf cart on my lawn because he didn't want to move his car over in his driveway and didn't want to drive over his own lawn.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Donegalkid

Yes. And following an accident, one of the first things checked is whether or not the golf cart speed regulator has been altered. Interesting data for the personal injury attorneys and the insurance companies.

Hmmm.... Do the police carry the necessary tools to access the speed regulator? Do they have the expertise to perform this check? If not, are you saying that golf carts are confiscated after accidents and taken away for this check?

[Veiragirl]

Originally Posted by vintageogauge

Only a fool would drive a golf cart without insurance if you cause an accident and have any wealth at all Dan Newlin will be making a call.

Yeah! Dan would be'HONORED' to represent you!

[bluecenturian]

It’s terminology. There is no such thing as a roadway. A local street is termed a “highway” and what we call highways are “limited access highways”

[Freehiker]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

Are you that confident in your ability to judge age?

Yes.

[RCMill531@comcast.net]

Short portions on Morse Blvd and in neighborhoods. Most golf cart accidents I hear about are senior adults who have drank too much alcohol.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by bark4me

Roadways are also called highways

Yeah... No...

My neighborhood street has never been called a "highway"...

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by MrFlorida

You ever see a 10 year old drive a golf cart up on somebody's lawn ?
I have.....it's not funny...

Is it funny when an 80 yo does it?

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by bluecenturian

It’s terminology. There is no such thing as a roadway. A local street is termed a “highway” and what we call highways are “limited access highways”

I've literally NEVER seen that in common use...

Again, from the Google Machine:

"What is the full meaning of highway?

A main road

A highway is a main road, especially one that connects towns or cities."

[JGibson]

So instead of telling people go to Google I brought Google to you.

Golf Cart Definitions & Requirements
A golf cart is defined as a motor vehicle that is designed for operation on a golf course or for sporting or recreation and is not capable of exceeding 20 mph. While the operator of a golf cart does not have to be a licensed driver, the driver must be over 14 years or age. Many Villagers ask if they can modify their golf carts to exceed 20 mph and the answer is they cannot legally and there have been tickets issued to those who have been caught exceeding 20 mph.
LSV Definitions & Requirements
An LSV is defined as a four-wheel electric vehicle whose top speed is greater than 20 mph, but less than 25 mph. LSV may operate on the streets where the posted speed limit is 35 mph or less. LSV can also cross roads that have a speed limit greater than 35 mph. The operator of an LSV must be a licensed driver. LSV must have a registered license plate and be insured. The LSV must be equipped with at least the following safety equipment: Seat belts, a windshield, rear view mirror, horn, headlights, tail lights, stop lamps, side reflectors, a parking brake, turn signals and a VIN number.

I can’t find anywhere that says you can use an LSV on the MMP or even the golf course. I think it's a loophole that is being ignored.
MMP is for golf carts that don't exceed 20 mph yet LSV can go up to 25 MPH. So technically the LSV should be prohibited from MMP.
They should be banned from golf courses also as they’re not golf carts they’re low-speed vehicles.
We don't need actual vehicles on the golf course.




I will tell you I almost took the door off one of these Atomic looking carts on the golf course once. I was passing it as he stopped on the golf course trail and without looking he swung the door open and I came very close to ripping off his door.
There shouldn’t be carts with actual doors on the golf course, go get a regular golf cart.
Some of these LSVs are getting bigger and wider yet they want to travel on the MMP. It's hard enough with normal golf carts, bicycles, and walkers on the MMP.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by JGibson

...

I can’t find anywhere that says you can use an LSV on the MMP or even the golf course. I think it's a loophole that is being ignored.
MMP is for golf carts that don't exceed 20 mph yet LSV can go up to 25 MPH. So technically the LSV should be prohibited from MMP.
They should be banned from golf courses also as they’re not golf carts they’re low-speed vehicles.
We don't need actual vehicles on the golf course.




I will tell you I almost took the door off one of these Atomic looking carts on the golf course once. I was passing it as he stopped on the golf course trail and without looking he swung the door open and I came very close to ripping off his door.
There shouldn’t be carts with actual doors on the golf course, go get a regular golf cart.
Some of these LSVs are getting bigger and wider yet they want to travel on the MMP. It's hard enough with normal golf carts, bicycles, and walkers on the MMP.

See this memo for a legal opinion of LSVs, MMPs, and golf courses. Bottom line: LSVs are allowed on both.

Not a golfer but do golf carts normally pass one another on the golf cart paths? My impression has always been that one group follows another which would mean no passing. *IF* that is the case, then was the the problem with the door or was the problem with the one performing the pass?