"I'd like to know how they would handle it when 14 year old (perfectly legal) kid is driving 24 mph down Rio Grande. They pull him over and ask for a license. He doesn't have one. They ask for ID. He doesn't have one. He refuses to answer any questions. What do they do? Can they arrest the kid and hold him on exceeding the speed limit by 4 mph?"

A good way to find out is to visit either the Sumter County Sheriff's Office or the Marion County Sheriff's Office and pose the question to them. I am sure someone at the office can give you an answer.

Some 14 or 15 year olds look like 18 or better. They might be put into general lock up.

Also keep in mind if there is an accident, and the cart was thought to be speeding, the cart can be impounded, and torn down, and if found to be modified, a ticket can be issued.
Lady Lake Police are always patrolling in lake county in the villages.

Check out the May edition of the POA bulletin. There was a Q&A with Lt. Wolfe of the SCSO at their March meeting, and many of these questions were answered.

One in particular I didn't know about concerns walkers in the cart lanes on roads. His answer: "Regardless of whether you are on a bicycle or in a car or golf cart, you have a responsibility to try and prevent any harm to that that person even if you have to come to a stop. It is not about who has the right-of-way, it's not about anybody being right or wrong, it's about what you have the obligation to do because you are the one that is in control of that vehicle."

BTW, POA Bulletin's punctuation, not mine.

"walkers in the cart lanes on roads."

They are NOT "cart lanes"!!! Walkers, cyclists, rollerbladers and everyone else has as much right to these "Diamond Lanes" as golf carts do. Drive on Morse Blvd north of 466 and noticed how it is marked.

POA May Bulletin:
http://www.poa4us.org/bulletins_file...etin201305.pdf

Share the Multi-Modal Paths
http://www.districtgov.org/community/SHAREposter.pdf

Thanks, Bogie. Duh, I should have done that.

From what I understood, walkers are supposed to walk on the sidewalks where provided, not on the paths or cart lanes (don't know what else to call them). So my point was that it is interesting to note that you have an obligation to avoid anyone in that lane even if you have to stop, and it's not a question of right-of-way. Not trying to argue what they're called; just trying to impart info from the SCSO lieutenant.

North of 466 their is a grand total of about 1/4 mile of sidewalks that are adjacent to a "diamond lane" .... which they are properly called. Referring to them as "cart lanes" implys that carts somehow have more "right of way" than anyone or anything else .... which they do not. It is a popular misconception in TV and as you can probably tell, is a hot button issue for me.

Due to the fact that their are no sidewalks north of 466 adjacent to a diamond lane (with the exception that 1/4 mile running in front of Mulberry Grove Rec Center) most people could not leave their neighborhoods to walk, run or bike without utilizing a diamond lane or walking in someone's yard.

I do agree that everyone has an obligation to avoid everyone as possible and that legal right of way does not give anyone the right to hit anyone or anything else.

I'm assuming they're called Multi Modal Lanes since they are shared by golf carts, bicyclists, and walkers/joggers. If all lane users share the lanes respectfully, everyone should be safe and happy. Yes I do wear rose colored glasses. :laugh:

Fair enough. Thanks for the clarification.

I asked a sumter county officer the other day if i am driving inside the white line and i have slower traffic (bike, jogger, roller skater, slow cart) in front of me, can i pull out and pass. He said as long as you do not exceed the 19.9 limit, you can pass.

Trial by Jury
 

I was wondering if anyone has ever asked for a trial by jury for golf cart violations.

As I always say, Share the Road ( or multi modal path). It's the Law...it is also the right thing to do!

I wonder if there even is such a thing for something of that small magnitude. :shrug:

The POA Newspaper (just delivered) has lots of interesting information on this subject!

Yes it does. :thumbup:

It even discusses making a left turn across the auto lane...from the right diamond/cart lane.

Short answer.....DON'T DO IT!!! :D


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Talked to a cop at Spanish Springs last night.Asked if you could make a left -hand turn from the diamond-cart lane,he said you sure can as long as there is "No Left Hand Turn signage. Never seen anything that would warrent a ticket, just as I thought.

I have heard that someone "knows someone" that got a ticket...but I have never actually spoken with anyone that has.

I don't understand what that means. Why would it be okay to turn left if there is signage saying No Left Hand Turn?

POA bulletin--Lt. Wolfe was pretty clear that you must first safely merge into street traffic before making left hand turn. I guess I would go with his explanation.

Yes. The POA bulletin does contain the article concerning many golf cart driving issues and I found it to be a very usefull article since it comes from the authorities.

Answer for you. Can I turn left from diamond-cart lane ? answer Yes. However you cannot if there is a "No Left Turn Sign. I myself am sticking with the patrol officer who is on the road,writing tickets for my answer.

Yep. :thumbup:

I think I would believe Lt. Wolfe, rather than an anecdotal story from some unknown source. ;)

.

Good Luck!

That's probably why he is still a patrolman and not a lieutenant. Turning left from the diamond lane is a recipe for disaster. Hope I'm not around when this is done!

Told the Police Officer of the discussion on this site, he explained about turn ing left. Remember he says,no difference if it was a runner,walker,bicycle,or golf cart. They all are unlicensed and not registered autos.

I understand that and I can understand getting fined for speeding although I've never heard of anyone getting a ticket for going 3-4 miles over the speed limit.

But in this scenario, could they give you a ticket for driving an unregistered vehicle? Can they fine you under the golf cart versus LSV law?

I think that all golf carts are capable of exceeding 19.9 mph going downhill.

I know a man who got a golf cart speeding ticket last week. He was on Bailey Trail.

Our cart is governed and throttles to maintain 19.6 to 20.8 . How ever if I don't brake on a steep downhil she will gather up speed.

Not a ticket but maybe a warning.

(3)(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, $60 for all moving violations not requiring a mandatory appearance.
(b) For moving violations involving unlawful speed, the fines are as follows:
For speed exceeding the limit by:*****Fine:
1-5 m.p.h..........Warning
6-9 m.p.h..........$25
10-14 m.p.h..........$100
15-19 m.p.h..........$150
20-29 m.p.h..........$175
30 m.p.h. and above..........$250

These are cars not CARTS

Who,s Lieutenant Wolfe,never heard of him. Sounds like somebody has it in for the patrolmen. Thats a shame we should support all the police,not just the non-working brass. Just keep telling yourself<I will not be afraid of making a left turn.,I will not afraid of making a left hand turn. I have all the confidence in my driving,if you do not just do not make those turns. Leave the driving to the big boys as they say.

All I know about Lt. Wolfe is he is a road supervisor with the SCSO. Met him twice. Nice man.

I think a person would have to be stupid, not to go by what the Lt. has went on official record and said in the POA Bulletin.

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Are you suggesting a cart travelling 19MPH in a 15MPH zone is treated differently than car travelling 19MPH in a 15MPH zone?

Nope. I am saying that any cart going over 19.8 is above the allowed speed limit that they are allowed to travel and will be fined as an unlicensed vehicle.

I feel compelled to respond to this thread. I have only lived here 6 years and immediately can think of several people I know that have gotten stopped. But since that doesn't count I will tell you about the old couple I saw with my own eyes pulled over for cutting thru parking spaces in a parking lot. Last year there was an officer at the corner of Donny's BBQ if people did not stop we saw him several times drive his car on to the path to pull the cart over . We couldn't believe the danger he was causing so sat and watched for quite a while. Lastly, just 2 days ago there was a trap At Miona rec center and the gate at Sunset point. If you didn't stop at the crossing of the parking lot he was on you. It was a unmarked SUV. Have also seen Sheriffs in golf carts do the same. If you think they have bigger fish to fry. Try really researching golf cart accidents. I did home care when I 1st moved here. There were plenty of serious accidents. Just ask the victims. Those are the ones that lived to tell.
Just Sayin

Not to split hairs buy I think it is in excess of 20MPH. As a matter of fact if golf cart is going in excess of 20MPH in a 15MPH zone they are subject to speeding ticket in addition to a ticket for operating an unregistered vehicle. The latter will be more painful than the former.

You can be not afraid of making a left-hand turn. Just don't do it from the diamond lane.