[GaryW]

Originally Posted by buggyone

Yes, that is the one that passed me so fast! Do you think it was the police that stopped him and was that today or another time?

No I do not think it was the police. It was a older gent yelling at him. I was on Buena Vista on my bike and looked over and noticed him moving. I sped upwards to 30 mph and did not catch him. He had a foot up on the dash and was moving. Just zinging around other carts.
He might not have came close to hitting one, but that is just not safe. Would love to see FHP catch him.

[Kentucky]

In Florida, if you exceed 20mph in a golf cart you are not speeding you are driving an unregistered vehicle on public roads and that is a CRIMINAL VIOLATION.

[Bizdoc]

Originally Posted by Kentucky

In Florida, if you exceed 20mph in a golf cart you are not speeding you are driving an unregistered vehicle on public roads and that is a CRIMINAL VIOLATION.

It is a criminal violation which should result in a long prison term when someone else does it.

It is a **** waste of the police time when they do it to catch *me* going a little over the speed limit on a mostly deserted road (which looks like it should be 100 mph but is posted at 25 mph) when they should be out catching real criminals.

see? It is all a matter of perspective.

[GatorFan]

You would be a real criminal if you are breaking the law.

[DonH57]

Oh my !

[CFrance]

It's a moneymaker, mainly. You can drive for three hours on I 96 in MI and see three cops, at MOST, and lots of times only one. The speed limit is 70, but as long as you're not much over 75 and not driving recklessly, they don't care. Driving south, once you hit GA, they're all over the place. Carolina's too.

I went to college in the south. It was true in the '60s too. And heaven help you if you're going two miles over the limit. It's a cash cow.

[DonH57]

I always thought it odd southbound on 95 once you hit South Carolina and Georgia it's pretty much all Sheriff's running the speed traps. I rarely see a state trooper on that part of the interstate. They must have a agreement worked out.

[Cantwaittoarrive]

Police were sitting in the Duval pool parking lot taking radar Saturday aroung 5 or 6 pm I assume they werelooking for speeders in carts and cars

[DonH57]

I never see enforcement of the ten mph on Paige Pl between Avienda and Main in Spanish Springs. Never understood that.

[FMChrissie]

Hi there. If you cut the tie on the governor (not sure I'm using the correct terms here) and your cart is going closer to 25-27 you will receive a ticket in the $240 - 280 range. It can cost anywhere from $800-$1500 to repair the cart if you damaged it by removing the tie, you will be required to attend criminal court and will need to take a certificate to court proving you've had the repairs made to the cart to prevent it from going over 20.2 or whatever the limit is. There are reports of police (not sure which ones) on major roads, Buena Vista etc where they have speed traps set up.

[kittygilchrist]

got passed today by a cart that blasted past, in a confusing move from cart lane to street where there was a merge, while I did 20 in the cart lane..it had no tag. now that's just wrong. but it's small in the scope of world going to hell in a handbasket. :-)))) (Now I have three chins? that's not right.)

[DonH57]

That's an expensive lesson huh?

[Kentucky]

Golf Cart Citation - The real thing

Recently my wife and I were going to Spanish Springs to meet another couple for dinner and a movie. Somewhere along Morse Blvd. ,out of the blue, I see a Deputy Sheriff on a motorcycle with his lights flashing behind me in the (Golf Cart) Diamond lane. I pulled to a stop and the Deputy informed me that I was exceeding 20mph in my “golf cart”. He gave me a slip of paper which stated that the Florida Statute 320.01 defines a golf cart as a vehicle which is NOT CAPABLE of exceeding 20 mph. Because of this, when I exceeded 20 mph I was no longer in a golf cart but I was driving a motorized vehicle on public roads without proper registration or license. He then served me with a citation to that effect and told me it was a criminal offense. He also said that if I produced a certified letter from a golf cart shop that the golf cart was adjusted to not exceed 20 mph the judge may let me off with just court costs. The citation had a date that I was to appear in the county court in Bushnell, FL. It also stated “Criminal Violation court appearance required”.

I thought to myself - here I am enjoying one of the most talked about benefits of “Florida's Most Friendly City” on my way to a movie and I end up as a criminal.

I was very anxious so when I got home I searched the internet trying to find out how hot the water was that I was in. I went to TalkOfTheVillages and found some discussion related to my situation.

I went to the Sumter County Clerk website and found that a CLASS 2 Misdemeanor was a Criminal offense punishable with a fine of up to $500 and 6 months in the county jail.

I thought WHAT! - Morse Blvd. has a speed limit of 30mph - I was not going any speed close to the limit and I could end up fined and in jail because I was in a golf cart and not in a car. And in addition to that I will now have a CRIMINAL RECORD.

I appeared in court in Bushnell at 9:00 a.m. on the proper date. Misdemeanor offenses are prosecuted in Courtroom B of the court house. The Judge took time to explain in great detail how the pleading process worked and the procedure that followed each type of plea. He also said that he puts everyone on probation, usually for six months, to allow them time to pay the costs incurred. One important note stated by the judge is that he evaluates each case on its own merits, so a person should not expect the same sentencing as any other person who committed the same violation. His questions to each person who I witnessed appearing before him, including myself, were to clarify the violation and circumstances related to it.

When I was called to come before him, he read the charge and ask me for my plea. My plea was “No Contest” because I had no Idea I was creating a criminal offense by driving the golf cart in excess of 20 mph. (I now know I was wrong, but I didn’t even think I was speeding since Morse Blvd. has a 30 mph speed limit. - I digress)

The Judge was very pleasant and professional while carrying out his duties. He didn’t fine me but told me I had court costs to pay and that he was withholding adjudication for which I am very grateful. Also, I was placed on probation until the costs were paid.

I then had some papers to sign in the court room. After this I went to the County Clerks office to setup payment and find out the amounts due ($253-court costs) and then to the cashiers office to pay - cash, credit card, (no personal checks). She sent me down the street to take the probation clerk my receipt. The lady at this office had me fill out more papers of personal info for their system and pay them $50. This could only be a money order, nothing else - no cash, no check, no credit card only a money order. The lady in the office said I could get a money order at the Shell gas station on the corner. I walk to the gas station and gave the clerk $51.50 for the $50 money order. After I gave the lady in the probation office the $50 money order she said the case was closed and I should get written notification within a week.

THE GOOD
All the people at the court house were nice and pleasant to deal with. That includes the clerks, the deputies, and the Judge.
THE BAD
It cost $304.50 at the court house and approximately $125.00 for the certification of the golf cart. TOTAL $429.50
THE UGLY
At the end of the process you have a CRIMINAL RECORD.

NOTE: Before you can enter the court room you must be wearing long pants (no Shorts), a tucked in shirt that is buttoned up, no hat, no sunglasses, no chewing gum.

My advice - Don’t exceed 20mph in a golf cart - Drive your car if you need to go faster.

[CFrance]

The only objection I have to your story is your statement: "I thought to myself - here I am enjoying one of the most talked about benefits of “Florida's Most Friendly City” on my way to a movie and I end up as a criminal."

It is a talked-about benefit of TV, but you still must know the laws, and I'm hoping you were not reflecting negatively at The villages because of your experience.

[ajbrown]

Now that you know about the 20MPH thing it is time you also started calling Morris Blvd -> Morse Blvd

I just kidding around, thanks for taking the time to post the story Kentucky....