[Talk Host]

There has been tons of discussion here about golf carts and their place in Villages traffic patterns. Traffic tickets given to carts, both licensed and unlicensed has been widely discussed. Speeding carts and cars are hot topics. Police enforcement of speed limits gets lots of play.

In light of the recent tragic golf cart accident, here's a talking point.

One report has it that the golf cart was proceeding along a main street. This report has it that the truck either failed to stop at a stop sign or stopped then proceeded through the stop sign into the cart.

If that account is accurate, here's an important question. If the golf cart is an unregistered vehicle, does it have the right of way. Would it be nothing more than a pedestrian. A pedestrian has the right of way only in clearly marked crosswalks. They can't barge out into traffic and expect to be held harmless.

If a golf cart is unregistered does it enjoy the same privileges and rights of way as a registered vehicle? Or does it have to give way to registered vehicles?

JLK

[champion6]

In the "All About Golf Carts and Things" section, you have a Sticky which starts with detailed information provided by an attorney: http://www.talkofthevillages.com/for...ad.php?t=24097

While I look forward to responses to your Talking Point, they will most likely be simply opinions from untrained individuals like you and me. I would greatly appreciate a response from an attorney who has experience in the areas covered by your Talking Point. Could that be arranged?

[gatherer47]

Last Saturday night I left Sweetbay in my car,went to the stop sign to enter the roundabout and go north on Morse.In front of me was a twentiesh girl driving a golf cart.My first thought was ,she must have a street legal cart to be going this way.However,the cart had no license plate.She proceeded into the roundabout and traveled north on Morse.She was almost rearended by a pickup truck.I found myself beside her at the traffic signal at Morse and Rt 466.She hollered over at me "Am I near Odell?" I told her no and that she wasn't allowed to have her cart driving on Morse.She didn't know if her cart was street legal and obviously had no knowledge of the Villages or driving golf carts.I had her follow me through the gate and pulled over and gave her golf cart path directions.She was an accident waiting to happen.By the way ,at the gate i tried to explain the situation to the attendant.This guy just waved me on and the girl too.This guy was as clueless as she was.

[bkcunningham1]

In Florida, the operation of a golf cart upon public roads is determined by the Department of Transportation or a local government. If the local government's ordinances are more restrictive than than those enacted by the state, the more restrictive ordinances are legal.

All provisions in state law that allow this stipulates that appropriate signage must be posted. Examples include signage allowing the carts on certain roadways or to cross certain roadways and other traffic signs.

So, if carts are being operated in appropriate areas, the signage would determine who has the right-of-way and any other appropriate laws. That is how I read the law.

http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/...ing=golf+carts

[Talk Host]

To further complicate the issue, the speed of the cart. As we all know, golf carts are limited to below 20 mph. If a cart has been altered to go, say 28 or 30, this could cause a vehicle on a side street to misjudge when the cart will arrive at the intersection.

[dillywho]

Why is there not more focus on operation of golf carts during the newcomer orientations since this is a golf cart oriented community?

[bimmertl]

Statute states the stop sign requires a driver to yield the right of way to any vehicle, not just "registered" vehicles. Certainly someone on a bike would also have the right of way over a vehicle at a SS.


http://law.onecle.com/florida/motor-...s/316.123.html

[zcaveman]

I have this same discussion with some of my friends.

I feel that golf carts have the same right of way as a registered vehicle. When I am in the cart lane and want to turn left, I verify that there is no vehicle behind me and put on my signal and merge into the car lane and turn left.

Several of my friends are adamant that cars have the right of way and will ride the cart lane up to the turn and stop and let all cars pass before they turn left across the car lane.

However, when I am in a car and driving down the street and there is a cart in the cart lane, I tend to hold back as I have had many (not several but many) occasions where the cart in the cart lane will signal and turn left in front of me as if he/she had the right of way.

I do believe that all cart drivers should exercise extra caution when driving on the regular roads. Never assume that the people in the cars can see you.

Always use extra caution when driving a golf cart.

[mulligan]

I was once told by a collier county deputy that when you are on wheels (bicycle or golf cart included) all the rules of the road apply. You are no longer a pedesrtian. seems pretty simple.

[Talk Host]

Here is Florida's definition of a golf cart.

"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.


Florida law says local governments can allow operation on streets and this condition applies:


Upon a determination that golf carts may be safely operated on a designated road or street, the responsible governmental entity shall post appropriate signs to indicate that such operation is allowed.

[BookBarb]

Originally Posted by dillywho

Why is there not more focus on operation of golf carts during the newcomer orientations since this is a golf cart oriented community?

I agree that new residents need a class in golf cart safety. We will be permanent residents in several months and have no experience driving a cart. However, we are willing to learn and become responsible drivers. We just need to know where/how to drive. Perhaps there is a class for newbies and I have not searched for it.

[Figmo Bohica]

Really does not matter if the cart has the right of way or the car/truck has the right of way. The smaller vehicle in any case is going to get crushed. Even if you, a cart driver has the right away, it is always best to look out for the bigger vehicle, right or wrong, the cart/motorcycle/smaller vehicle is the one that will be hurt.

Alwasy drive defensively, no matter what you are driving or who has the right away. Its better to give a little than to never arrive home.

[l2ridehd]

I remember a discussion about the gates and carts needing to cross in front of traffic. It was said by many that cars always had the right of way and that those that stopped to allow a golf cart to cross were causing accidents. So if cars really do have the right of way there and golf carts have to stop .....

Never mind, there is a posted stop sign for golf carts there.

In this case I would believe the truck had a stop sign and was supposed to yield to on coming traffic. The cart was in the cart lane and did not have a stop sign. Even if the cart was traveling to fast, he could be charged with speeding, but the truck did not yield to on coming traffic. Car traffic speed there is 35 mph. If I was in a Smart car going 35, would he still not have to yield? And if he hit me because he pulled into on coming traffic, he is at fault.

I believe no matter how this is slanted, the truck driver is at fault.

[GatorFan]

Villages golf cart safety meeting 3rd Wednesday of month, Savannah Center.

Yesterday I was on Wedgewood coming from Walmart. Golf cart in front of me never stopped at stop signs and never slowed down. At Fresh Market, automobile actually hit brakes to miss him when he came through stop sign. He just looked forward and kept going.

[downeaster]

Originally Posted by zcaveman

I have this same discussion with some of my friends.

I feel that golf carts have the same right of way as a registered vehicle. When I am in the cart lane and want to turn left, I verify that there is no vehicle behind me and put on my signal and merge into the car lane and turn left.

Several of my friends are adamant that cars have the right of way and will ride the cart lane up to the turn and stop and let all cars pass before they turn left across the car lane.

However, when I am in a car and driving down the street and there is a cart in the cart lane, I tend to hold back as I have had many (not several but many) occasions where the cart in the cart lane will signal and turn left in front of me as if he/she had the right of way.

I do believe that all cart drivers should exercise extra caution when driving on the regular roads. Never assume that the people in the cars can see you.

Always use extra caution when driving a golf cart.

Well said, zee.