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-   The Villages, Florida, General Discussion (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/)
-   -   Golf cart stopped for speeding on St. Charles (https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/golf-cart-stopped-speeding-st-charles-302551/)

GoPacers 02-08-2020 07:31 PM

My golf cart is set at 20mph, just like it's supposed to be. Thank you for your concern though. It just doesn't bother me that others go faster than me.

renpan 02-09-2020 11:13 AM

Golf cart speed
 
We were told the speed limit for golf carts is 23 and that is what ours is calibrated.

Where is the 20mph limit i'm seeing?

karostay 02-09-2020 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoPacers (Post 1716536)
Nothing new. The solution is as old as the wheel itself.

Please by all means enlighten us with your mechanical wisdom

John_W 02-09-2020 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by renpan (Post 1716747)
We were told the speed limit for golf carts is 23 and that is what ours is calibrated.

Where is the 20mph limit i'm seeing?

320.055. (22) “Golf cart” means a motor vehicle that is designed and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting or recreational purposes and that is not capable of exceeding speeds of 20 miles per hour.

Statutes & Constitution
:View Statutes
:

Online Sunshine


That's why earlier posts mentioned that the ticket you'll receive is not a speeding ticket, but for driving an unregistered vehicle. If you're going over 20 mph, by definition you're no longer a golf cart but a LSV (low speed vehicle), which means you need to have a license plate and insurance like on a car. Also windshield wipers, seat belts, etc. So that is why you need to appear in court and to show documentation that cart has been reduced to the legal golf cart speed of 20 mph or less.

EdFNJ 02-09-2020 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by karostay (Post 1716361)
How do you retro fit a governor ?

Vote him out of office?

EdFNJ 02-09-2020 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John_W (Post 1716755)
320.055. (22) “Golf cart” means a motor vehicle that is designed and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting or recreational purposes and that is not capable of exceeding speeds of 20 miles per hour.

Statutes & Constitution
:View Statutes
:

Online Sunshine


That's why earlier posts mentioned that the ticket you'll receive is not a speeding ticket, but for driving an unregistered vehicle. If you're going over 20 mph, by definition you're no longer a golf cart but a LSV (low speed vehicle), which means you need to have a license plate and insurance like on a car. Also windshield wipers, seat belts, etc. So that is why you need to appear in court and to show documentation that cart has been reduced to the legal golf cart speed of 20 mph or less.


100% correct. Most people miss the "CAPABLE OF" part of your comment. Just because one drives 20 or under doesn't mean anything. If one's cart is CAPABLE OF EXCEEDING 20MPH (doesn't matter if you actually do) you have a couple problems:

One is still in violation of the golf cart law and may have to go through the court appearance for unlicensed motor vehicle $$$$ if you are stopped for ANY reason not just speeding.

And more important, IF one gets into an accident and their insurance company finds out their cart is CAPABLE OF exceeding 20mph they likely ain't gonna pay since you bought the wrong policy If heaven forbid someone is seriously injured and sues you can be in big trouble.

That being said, probably 90% of the carts here are CAPABLE OF (speed set to allow) exceed 20mph so obviously the law is RARELY enfoced since cops have better things to do that watch golf carts unless they need to fill up the violation fund in town..

golfing eagles 02-09-2020 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoPacers (Post 1716354)
I've been here for many years and I've never once have I had an issue with a driver of a golf cart going too fast...never. However, those of you that think 18mph is fast enough because you've personally decided that's as fast as you are comfortable driving do in fact cause a lot of problems. If you look in your rear-view mirror and see a line of 3 or more golf carts - pull over and let them by (and don't come post here thinking that everyone behind you is driving a corvette inspired golf cart).

I may have allowed the 5 extra minutes as some say to accommodate the 20mph speed limit but I didn't allow the 10+ extra minutes to follow behind someone going 18mph and 5mph around a turn that was designed for 15mph. Just because "you" are not comfortable driving a golf cart at 18mph doesn't mean the rest of us aren't comfortable driving a golf cart at 20mph.

Well said:bigbow::bigbow::bigbow:

karostay 02-09-2020 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John_W (Post 1716755)
320.055. (22) “Golf cart” means a motor vehicle that is designed and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting or recreational purposes and that is not capable of exceeding speeds of 20 miles per hour.

Statutes & Constitution
:View Statutes
:

Online Sunshine


That's why earlier posts mentioned that the ticket you'll receive is not a speeding ticket, but for driving an unregistered vehicle. If you're going over 20 mph, by definition you're no longer a golf cart but a LSV (low speed vehicle), which means you need to have a license plate and insurance like on a car. Also windshield wipers, seat belts, etc. So that is why you need to appear in court and to show documentation that cart has been reduced to the legal golf cart speed of 20 mph or less.

Technically speaking internal combustion is not a motor at all
Its an engine electric is referred to as a motor

EdFNJ 02-09-2020 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby (Post 1716542)
Golf carts are not ALLOWED to exceed 20mph even if they can, even in an area where the speed limit is 25, if their cart is not street legal. Most carts are not street legal. Most carts can't go 20MPH unless they've been modified - they usually come with a top speed of 18mph.

Rental golf carts are set at 16mph max.

If you want to behave like speedy gonzalez and that extra 2mph is a deal-breaker for you, then street-legalize your golf cart and drive in the main traffic lane - and get off the golf cart paths entirely.

Actually street legal carts are permitted on the GC paths aka MMP's as well as on the golf course (with proper tires of course). ;) They are also permitted in the diamond lanes according to The Sherrif's office who spoke at our club early last year. The MMP info is posted right on the VCCD website and specifically approved by TV attorneys. I carry a printout of the letter in my cart so when Mr. Know-It-All pulls up next to me on the MMP with his blinker still blinking for the last 3 miles, and shakes his stinky cigar in my face and tells me I shouldn't be there (true story) I just hand him a copy and smile and drive off.

EDIT: Also, according to the Sheriff's office speaker there is no "specific speed limit" for the diamond lanes other than the LEGAL limitations of the type of cart (20) or LSV (25).

Double Eagle 02-09-2020 06:27 PM

If you get stopped by a police officer while driving a golf cart for anything other than speeding, how on earth does the cop know how fast your cart "can" go?

Villageswimmer 02-09-2020 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by renpan (Post 1716747)
We were told the speed limit for golf carts is 23 and that is what ours is calibrated.

Where is the 20mph limit i'm seeing?


Just for kicks, I went to SUMTERcountysheriff dot org .
There, I found a video titled Golf Cart Safety narrated by Sheriff Farmer. In it, he clearly states the speed limit for golf carts is 20 mph.
Hope this helps.

GoPacers 02-09-2020 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdFNJ (Post 1716815)
Actually street legal carts are permitted on the GC paths aka MMP's as well as on the golf course (with proper tires of course). ;) They are also permitted in the diamond lanes according to The Sherrif's office who spoke at our club early last year. The MMP info is posted right on the VCCD website and specifically approved by TV attorneys. I carry a printout of the letter in my cart so when Mr. Know-It-All pulls up next to me on the MMP with his blinker still blinking for the last 3 miles, and shakes his stinky cigar in my face and tells me I shouldn't be there (true story) I just hand him a copy and smile and drive off.

EDIT: Also, according to the Sheriff's office speaker there is no "specific speed limit" for the diamond lanes other than the LEGAL limitations of the type of cart (20) or LSV (25).

Interesting read on the VCCD website. Thanks for that info.

Upon reading it, it seems apparent that a lot of people posting here have not read it.

EdFNJ 02-11-2020 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoPacers (Post 1716839)
Interesting read on the VCCD website. Thanks for that info.

Upon reading it, it seems apparent that a lot of people posting here have not read it.


Yea, it seems that is quite normal around here. :D

Here is the link for those who have a search impairment: :) MMP ADOPTED RULES

EdFNJ 02-11-2020 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Double Eagle (Post 1716818)
If you get stopped by a police officer while driving a golf cart for anything other than speeding, how on earth does the cop know how fast your cart "can" go?

If he wants to give you a BIG ticket because you may be giving him a hard time all he would have to do is climb in and step on the gas. ;)

EdFNJ 02-11-2020 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by renpan (Post 1716747)
We were told the speed limit for golf carts is 23 and that is what ours is calibrated.

Where is the 20mph limit i'm seeing?

Google is your friend. Just type in FLORIDA GOLF CART REGULATIONS or any of 100 other variations on that theme. Google makes things soooo easy. Here's a small hint: Five things you need to know about Florida's Golf Cart Laws

Double Eagle 02-11-2020 12:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdFNJ (Post 1717107)
If he wants to give you a BIG ticket because you may be giving him a hard time all he would have to do is climb in and step on the gas. ;)

:1rotfl: I won't be giving him/her a hard time. This would not be a stop for speeding, as I stated above.

However, if the officer did this (climb in and step on the gas) it would violate Constitutional Criminal Procedure as we know it.

Furthermore, it would be the logical equal to an officer writing a person a ticket for a burnt out tail light bulb on a Ferrari, to also add a ticket for driving 200 mph because the vehicle is "capable" of doing 200 mph.

golfing eagles 02-11-2020 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Double Eagle (Post 1717109)
:1rotfl: I won't be giving him/her a hard time. This would not be a stop for speeding, as I stated above.
Furthermore, it would be the logical equal to an officer writing a person a ticket for a burnt out tail light bulb on a Ferrari, to also add a ticket for driving 200 mph because the vehicle is "capable" of doing 200 mph.

And therein lies the utter stupidity of the way the law is worded---"capable of". Let's arrest all gun owners because they're "capable of" killing someone. Let's arrest all teachers because they're "capable of" misinforming or indoctrinating our children. Let's arrest all liquor store owners as well.
The way the law is written, if you own a brand new cart that is "capable of" going 24mph, you just took delivery into your driveway, and then pull it 1 foot out onto the road at 3 mph----you're guilty
This is similar to the movie "Minority Report". In the US we're supposed to have the presumption of innocence , this law presumes guilt. (Yes, I know if it can go 24 you'll probably go 24, but then you should be caught AFTER you do it)

PS. All carts are "capable of" going 176 mph, just drop them out of an airplane above 10,000 feet

eyc234 02-11-2020 08:25 AM

Ticket them all, on the cart paths or road. Also get them for not knowing what STOP means, blinkers are for, head lights are for and towels hanging over tail lights. No problem with making money off of it. Increase the fines and make them stick. If you do not break the law you have no worries.

EnglishJW 02-11-2020 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billmcnall (Post 1716422)
Snowbirds should be required to read up on golf cart driving rules. In one day, last Tuesday, I saw a non-street legal golf cart on Buena Vista going around circle and later on, I saw one on Buena Vista turning onto Rt. 466. Both were regular Yamaha gas golf carts.

Were there signs on those carts warning about the drivers being snowbirds?

Seriously, we have seen hideous driving here throughout the year. We are living in a retirement community. It just makes sense to slow down, pay attention and watch out for the other person no matter what time of year it is.

Barefoot 02-11-2020 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdFNJ (Post 1716759)
And more important, IF one gets into an accident and their insurance company finds out their cart is CAPABLE OF exceeding 20mph they likely ain't gonna pay since you bought the wrong policy If heaven forbid someone is seriously injured and sues you can be in big trouble.

That is exactly why I haven't set my golf cart to exceed 20 mph.
I bought my Yesteryear Kart it at Villages Golf Carts.
They will set the golf cart to exceed 20 mph, however
anyone who buys a golf cart there has to sign a document
that protects them if you want them to set the golf cart faster.

EdFNJ 02-11-2020 03:18 PM

\\\\

Laker14 02-12-2020 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 1717115)
And therein lies the utter stupidity of the way the law is worded---"capable of". Let's arrest all gun owners because they're "capable of" killing someone. Let's arrest all teachers because they're "capable of" misinforming or indoctrinating our children. Let's arrest all liquor store owners as well.
The way the law is written, if you own a brand new cart that is "capable of" going 24mph, you just took delivery into your driveway, and then pull it 1 foot out onto the road at 3 mph----you're guilty
This is similar to the movie "Minority Report". In the US we're supposed to have the presumption of innocence , this law presumes guilt. (Yes, I know if it can go 24 you'll probably go 24, but then you should be caught AFTER you do it)

PS. All carts are "capable of" going 176 mph, just drop them out of an airplane above 10,000 feet

you know that would be dangerous, right? Probably even illegal..but if you do it let me know, I want to watch.:coolsmiley:

spd2918 02-13-2020 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patemack12 (Post 1716134)
They give most females warnings as long as they have not used drugs or alcohol but most males get ticketed.

Can we see your research? That's a bold statement.

TimeForChange 02-14-2020 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John_W (Post 1715907)
When the cops set up, they're usually a little further up on Baileys Trail by Cane Garden. They park by the pump house near the first hole on Allamanda nine. Back in December they were set up all along that area for a week or two. I dialed my cart back a couple of years ago, I had it sped up for about five years. I found it didn't really make that big a deal taking five minutes more to get somewhere. Think about it, if you have an accident do you want to risk your insurance being voided.

As Chatbrat said, it's expensive. It's not a speeding ticket, since you're no longer operating in the state of Florida prescribed as a golf cart, you'll given a ticket for driving an unregistered vehicle. Since you're going over 20mph, they consider you should been licensed. I believe the final tally will be about $450 in costs. You'll have to get a letter from a licensed mechanic that your cart was dialed back to to cart speed. You'll need to go to court in Bushnell and if you make the mistake up showing up in shorts, even at 10am, your case will be pushed to the end of the day, about 4:30.

This was in the Villages News online paper. Serious accident first week of the year 2020 in the Village of Winifred. A 70 year old villager drove in front of an SUV, he had to be airlifted to Ocala Regional. They write, the sheriff's office said there were 29 golf cart crashes in the Sumter County portion of The Villages in the final quarter of 2019. Eighteen tickets were issued that same quarter to golf cart operators.

https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...d5&oe=5EBC8848

I drove past this accident just after it happened. It was on the street shortcut just past Palmer CC that most people take to go to Glenview or Nancy Lopez. There must have been 10 police cars there and the street was closed. I knew it was serious.

TimeForChange 02-14-2020 01:59 PM

My old cart would go 30 but I never go passed 21 on the street. My new one is set at 24 but I only do that on the trail. I talked to a Sumter deputy one day at Subway and he said they would give you to 23 going down hill on a street but on flat ground they will stop you at 21. He said the only jurisdiction they have on the golf trails is for reckless behavior or operating a golf cart with open container or DUI. The total fine is $450 including court cost and you have to certify that your cart has been set at 20 to the judge. Some snowbirds or others just don't care and they blow passed you on the street. It is actually against the law to pass another cart on the street and they can ticket you for that also. People do not realize how easy a cart will flip over if you stop quickly. I was riding my bike going North on the trail by Morse and just before the Havana tunnel there is a hill before you make the left turn into the tunnel. A cart behind me did not see me turning left and slammed on his brakes and flipped over on the driver side before the tunnel. We helped him turn his cart upright, gather his clubs etc.. He only had a scrape on his arm and he said "I have to go, I have a T Time." Still don't know how you turn over a cart on the driver side and not be injured greatly.

OrangeBlossomBaby 02-14-2020 10:20 PM

This isn't rocket science. If you want your golf cart set for higher than 20, you may. But you must do a bunch of other things in addition to setting it higher, in order for it to be legal to drive it on public roads at ANY speed. If you don't want to do those bunch of other things, then keep your golf cart set to 20 or lower, and all will be well.

Laker14 02-15-2020 05:21 AM

it's sensible to have a speed limit, and 20mph is a sensible speed limit. If the speed limit were 25, folks would want to go 30.
I'm far from convinced that ticketing folks for going 21 or 22 on Morse, when the cars are zipping by them at 15-20 mph faster makes sense. In some ways, it's the speed difference between auto traffic and bicycles and carts that contributes to the inherent danger.

Face it, there are places where going 20, or 18, or even 15 is dangerous, due to the road or path curving, or blind spots where you can't see pedestrians or bicycles. And there are places where going 22 or 23 would be perfectly safe.

The law is the law, and one breaks it at the risk of paying a steep fine, but the law doesn't necessarily reflect on the safety of the act, at a particular piece of roadway, or in a particular circumstance. When a cart pulls out in front of a car, and gets hit by the car, they aren't usually going in excess of the speed limit, but they are driving unsafely.

bagboy 02-15-2020 09:52 AM

Maybe that deputy was doing some "chain pulling". I have extreme doubts that any officer is going to pull over and ticket a golf cart doing 21 mph. Or even 23 down a hill.

EnglishJW 02-15-2020 12:10 PM

" Some snowbirds or others just don't care and they blow passed you on the street. " It must seem easy to blame eveything on the snowbirds. Our cart will do 20 - period. We are passed often at all times of the year. Are those snowbirds spending 12 months each year now?

Laker14 02-15-2020 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EnglishJW (Post 1718327)
" Some snowbirds or others just don't care and they blow passed you on the street. " It must seem easy to blame eveything on the snowbirds. Our cart will do 20 - period. We are passed often at all times of the year. Are those snowbirds spending 12 months each year now?

I noticed that comment as well. I decided to let it pass. Those pesky snowbirds are supposed to stay up north and leave their houses vacant all 12 months of the year, while paying all of the yearly fees that keep The Villages running, instead of just leaving their houses vacant for 8 months, while paying all of the yearly fees.

Barefoot 02-15-2020 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by patemack12 (Post 1716134)
They give most females warnings as long as they have not used drugs or alcohol but most males get ticketed.

That's a general statement. I'd like to see the research. :ohdear:

golfing eagles 02-16-2020 12:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eyc234 (Post 1717151)
Ticket them all, on the cart paths or road. Also get them for not knowing what STOP means, blinkers are for, head lights are for and towels hanging over tail lights. No problem with making money off of it. Increase the fines and make them stick. If you do not break the law you have no worries.

Sorry, they don't give out civics awards on TOTV.

It seems that you proceed from the assumption that everyone driving, say on Buena Vista at 35 is a skilled, safe driver, but once the speedometer hits 36 they become reckless maniacs that should be thrown in jail.
However, driving skill is much more important than actual speed as far as safety goes. Personally, I'd rather be on BV in the vicinity of a NASCAR champion driving at 70 than most of the Villagers driving at 20.

eyc234 02-16-2020 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 1718559)
Sorry, they don't give out civics awards on TOTV.

It seems that you proceed from the assumption that everyone driving, say on Buena Vista at 35 is a skilled, safe driver, but once the speedometer hits 36 they become reckless maniacs that should be thrown in jail.
However, driving skill is much more important than actual speed as far as safety goes. Personally, I'd rather be on BV in the vicinity of a NASCAR champion driving at 70 than most of the Villagers driving at 20.

Nope just saying if you can not do the time/pay the fine do not do the crime. Said nothing about safe or unsafe drivers. My thought is about a crime and breaking the law.

GatorFan 02-16-2020 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polar Bear (Post 1716219)
Good for you.

But if you drive the speed limit in your car, you must be getting passed by lots of cars that aren’t getting ticketed too. :)

Bottom line. Golf carts are designed to be used on golf course and the law says max speed 20. It is a privilege to be able to mingle with autos in The Villages. That privilege can be taken away.

Follow the law.

golfing eagles 02-16-2020 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GatorFan (Post 1718669)
Bottom line. Golf carts are designed to be used on golf course and the law says max speed 20. It is a privilege to be able to mingle with autos in The Villages. That privilege can be taken away.

Follow the law.

Maybe the law is stupid and should be changed. Not necessarily the speed, but the phrase "capable of"

Polar Bear 02-16-2020 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GatorFan (Post 1718669)
Bottom line. Golf carts are designed to be used on golf course and the law says max speed 20. It is a privilege to be able to mingle with autos in The Villages. That privilege can be taken away.

Follow the law.

Not sure I understand the context of this post with respect to my post which it quoted. :)

GatorFan 02-17-2020 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by golfing eagles (Post 1718676)
Maybe the law is stupid and should be changed. Not necessarily the speed, but the phrase "capable of"

You have the right to try and get the law changed. It is at this time the law.

Did you teach your children that some laws are stupid and it is okay to break them because you don’t agree with them? How bout your grandchildren?

golfing eagles 02-17-2020 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GatorFan (Post 1718971)
You have the right to try and get the law changed. It is at this time the law.

Did you teach your children that some laws are stupid and it is okay to break them because you don’t agree with them? How bout your grandchildren?

Which is why my cart is set at 20, and I hope my children and grandchildren would do the same. Why would you assume I had any intention whatsoever of breaking the law? That doesn't change the fact that this law is poorly worded and should be revised.

roob1 02-18-2020 05:12 AM

According to the below link, it appears speed enforcement by the sheriff's dept. can not be performed on the MMP's.


Quote:

Originally Posted by EdFNJ (Post 1717106)
Yea, it seems that is quite normal around here. :D

Here is the link for those who have a search impairment: :) MMP ADOPTED RULES


coffeebean 02-18-2020 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kathyspear (Post 1716471)
The other day I saw one on Rolling Acres going south, just before 466. No plate on back of cart. :shocked:

kathy

Just wondering if a street legal cart is supposed to have a plate stating that it is "STREET LEGAL". I once came upon a cart on Morse going around the circle heading towards 466. When the driver was stopped a the light at Morse and 466, I asked if his cart was Street Legal because I did not see a plate saying it was street legal. The driver told me he does not have to have a plate stating his cart is street legal and I was to mind my own business.

So......are street legal carts supposed to have a plate stating they are street legal?


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