[joseppe]

Several times I've seen issues with a car needing to make a right turn into a street and a line of golf carts in the golf cart lane preventing the car's ability to turn. Is it correct to assume that the golf carts have the right of way and the car needs to wait until the line of carts passes? Picture a golf cart parade / rally and a busy road and you have a traffic problem. At this particular intersection I have seen lines of 8 - 10 golf carts before the car has a chance to make the turn safely. Comments / Suggestions?

[John_W]

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[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by John_W

Yes, your crossing the golf cart driver's lane, so you intruding into his space. I have to make a right turn most of the times when I return home on St. Charles Blvd, and we have golf cart lanes and it's very busy road since they're four Villages along that road.

I found the best method is to do just like that golf carts. They merge into the car lane to make a left turn, when I'm preparing to make my right turn about 100 yards beforehand, I look for spacing and increase or decrease my speed as necessary and move my car gently into the golf cart lane just a couple of feet. This eliminates any hesitation or concern from the golf cart driver's mind. You have your turn signal activated, and you've spaced yourself appropriately between or in front of the moving carts. I've been doing this with no problems for ten years, and other drivers have started to pick up on it.

You know the old phrase "Kiss - Keep it simple stupid". I believe this is the most simple answer to avoid collisions on roads with golf cart lanes and avoid this happening.

Very good suggestion.

[Garywt]

I general golf carts should not have the right of way but when in a golf cart lane they have those rights. Most busy intersections have the golf carts merge into the travel lane to give cars the opportunity to turn as needed.

[villagetinker]

John_W, I do the exact same thing, have been doing it for over 7 years, no problems. I find this especially useful when the golf carts can do close to 30 mph and can 'sneak' up on you as you are slowing down. Always use turn signals.

[Toymeister]

Both John and Villagetinker are incorrect. Do not travel any distance in a designated golf cart lane, you are not a golf cart, you are operating a motor vehicle.

I can prove this to you quite simply. If it was a line of cyclists in the cart lane would you jump in the lane? Even if you are too much of a hurry to wait for the cyclists? What if there are 18 cyclists are you in the right then?

No. You wait for all the carts to pass then you safely execute your turn.

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by Toymeister

Both John and Villagetinker are incorrect. Do not travel any distance in a designated golf cart lane, you are not a golf cart, you are operating a motor vehicle.

I can prove this to you quite simply. If it was a line of cyclists in the cart lane would you jump in the lane? Even if you are too much of a hurry to wait for the cyclists? What if there are 18 cyclists are you in the right then?

No. You wait for all the carts to pass then you safely execute your turn.

Things have certainly changed since the "old days" when upon turning into the villages from OBT/441, you found signs, very large signs, saying, "Caution, you are entering a golf ca1 rt community, golf carts have the right of way". Of course at one time, residents and renters alike almost all attended the (nearly mandatory) sessions on driving in the Villages, and also proper golf etiquette along with any local rules specifics to the V's, were taught. Don't think any of that happens any more, or if it does, seems few attended for sure. Saw two more serious accidents yesterday, seems it's a daily thing any more, sad to see, lots of changes here over the years but should not have to culminate in so many accidents and injuries. Seems to me 75% of the auto and cart traffic any more is in extreme hurry, EXTREME. Went to market day at Brownwood, Buena Vista was like a race track, no one paid any attention to the speed limit even though an empty squad car was present with a speed warning sign ! Never saw so many people in one place pay to little attention to speed and safety ? What is it doing this ??

[Stu from NYC]

This is why for my next birthday have asked my wife to buy me a Sherman tank to drive around here.

[John_W]

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[dewilson58]

I get it.

[Toymeister]

In today's world, where everyone has an opinion and thinks they deserve some special consideration isn't it wonderful that traffic laws are binary. There is the correct way to operate a motor vehicle and there is the wrong way

Originally Posted by John_W

Yes, your crossing the golf cart driver's lane, ...I found the best method is to do just like that golf carts...
move my car gently into the golf cart lane just a couple of feet.
J

Again, you are not a golf cart, do not pretend you are, do not travel any distance in the cart lane. Do not operate under your own interpretation of the Florida code. Taking one third to one quarter of a cart lane for any length of time is a clear violation of Florida Statutes § 316.089

[John_W]

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[Mortal1]

No, no, no...golf carts do not have the right of way!!! It's foolish to think/act otherwise.

[Toymeister]

Originally Posted by John_W

Somehow golf carts pretend to be cars every time they make a left turn.

If you're going to be reciting statues all day, then please explain how you made your right turn and didn't go through the golf cart lane

I'll be glad to point out which statute allows golf carts to operate on Florida roads, they are not acting as motor vehicles. Here it is: 316.212,  Operation of golf carts on certain roadways. Please review, any questions?

I am delighted to point out it is legal for a motor vehicle to cross a cart lane when traffic is clear and you have signaled your intentions. It is not legal to follow John's method to travel in a cart lane "by a few feet" for any length. The statue is clear.

Isn't that wonderful! We live in a state where the law is crystal clear. In some states the law and legal system has fallen apart so much that it's OK to riot and defecate in the street. Seriously, the destruction of society starts in small steps, when individuals decide for themselves it's ok to do as they please. If traffic laws require that you 'hold up traffic" while you wait for the carts to clear that is what a responsible operator of a motor vehicle does.

Would you allow me to forward your posts to your insurance agency because you have discovered a great a great idea? No, of course not. And there is your answer.

[JoMar]

I agree, keep doing what you makes you comfortable, the police seem to be ok with cars sliding into the cart lane when making a right turn....in fact I have seen them do the same thing when turning into our mail stop. Sometimes common sense takes precedence over statutes.