[iandwk]

What is the law concerning crossing a road in a golf cart where there is a light? For example, El Camino Real and Enrique. Are you subject to the light while on a golf cart path? I almost hit a golf cart the other day there. Someone had stopped apparently to allow him to cross, but I didn't see that. I had just come through the gate leaving Santiago and turning right on El Camino Real. I had the green arrow and the car in the left lane was stopped. I assumed he was waiting to make his turn because of opposite traffic. Just as I started to go on past him, a golf cart crossed in front of him. I was going slow, so there was no real danger of hitting him. I just didn't expect him to be there.

Was the golf cart legal in crossing against the light? I have done it in my cart at Buenos Aires after stopping to check for traffic, but this incident made me stop and think.

Another example is leaving Polo Ridge on Southern Trace. When you drive through the gate there is a light for the Southern Trace/Buena Vista intersection. I am on a golf cart turning left, but the light is red. Since I am not crossing the street and simply turning left into the cart path, what is the law? I may be sitting alongside a car or two, and they are of course waiting for the light. Am I also subject to the light?

I know safety and common sense says to yield to traffic, but that isn't the question. The question is what is the law for the golf cart driver? I haven't read or heard anything about it.

[GeorgeT]

Yes!

[DENNIS G]

Same rules apply as if you were in a car.

[redwitch]

Doen't it depend on where the golf cart crosses? If the cart is actually crossing at a street (like going to Alhambra), I know the traffic light laws apply, but if the path is below the light, I understood that you crossed after stopping and making sure it is safe regardless of whether the light was red, green or amber. Wrong?

I do know that before Freedom Pointe was completed, golf carts were not subject to the light at Bel Aire. We would stop at the stop sign and then proceed regardless of what the light said. I see people still doing that, but think that now traffic crosses in front of them, they are subject to the light. At Polo Ridge, carts stop and then cross regardless of what the light says on Buena Vista.

[getdul981]

At that particular intersection, and most all others, ther is a white post in the middle of the GC lane with STOP imprinted on it. Obviously the GC driver didn't or you would not have had the near mishap. In my short time here I have noticed that hardly any GCs stop at the STOP signs and posts. We ALWAYS stop (unless it is not seen), so if you are following someone who is stopping at every stop sign. It's probably us.

[iandwk]

Originally Posted by getdul981

At that particular intersection, and most all others, ther is a white post in the middle of the GC lane with STOP imprinted on it. Obviously the GC driver didn't or you would not have had the near mishap. In my short time here I have noticed that hardly any GCs stop at the STOP signs and posts. We ALWAYS stop (unless it is not seen), so if you are following someone who is stopping at every stop sign. It's probably us.

My wife and I both stop at all the stop signs on out carts, also. I know it irritates some of the folks behind us, and that used to bother me, but I have gotten thick-skinned about it.

As far as the driver mentioned in the post, I would not be surprised if he was motioned across by the car on the left. I hate it when auto drivers do that, but I understand their desire to be courteous. Sometimes it can endanger the golf cart drivers, though. It's much better for me if they just take their right-of-way and go on and let me wait for a safe time to cross.

I still don't know what the law is for golf cart drivers at some of the lights. I can easily understand that when you are on the road, like on Morse and Rio Grande for example, that you are subject to the lights the same as cars are. The gray area, in my mind, is when you are on the golf cart paths. Next time I see one of the deputies around one of the squares I will ask and post it on this thread.

[getdul981]

Originally Posted by iandwk

As far as the driver mentioned in the post, I would not be surprised if he was motioned across by the car on the left. I hate it when auto drivers do that, but I understand their desire to be courteous. Sometimes it can endanger the golf cart drivers, though. It's much better for me if they just take their right-of-way and go on and let me wait for a safe time to cross.

I agree!!! Once, we were going to Spanish Springs and my wife was driving. We were negotiating our way around the round-about where Morse meets El Camino, and a guy in a pick-up truck stopped IN THE CIRCLE, to let us cross. She went on although he wasn't supposed to do what he did. She said it was easier than trying to motion him on and him trying to motion her on.

We're new here and somehow I hope we figure out how to get old here.

[Ohiogirl]

We've pretty much decided to try to avoid the Morse/Paige traffic circle while driving a golf cart as much as we can. We think it's a little easier in a golf cart, but the verdict is still out. The only time we think it's safe in a car is if you are only going 1/4 of the way around!

[Talk Host]

Originally Posted by Ohiogirl

We've pretty much decided to try to avoid the Morse/Paige traffic circle while driving a golf cart as much as we can. We think it's a little easier in a golf cart, but the verdict is still out. The only time we think it's safe in a car is if you are only going 1/4 of the way around!

I personally witness a guy entering the round a bout from El Camino and he turned left into the traffic circle. He headed around in a clockwise direction. How's them apples?

JLK

[getdul981]

I'm surprised that doesn't happen more often.