[YouNeverKnow]

Just this last week I saw two incidents of children who could barley see over the steering wheel of the golf cart driving the cart down the golf cart lane of Pinellas!

This was on the most hazardous and busiest section between Buena Vista and Morse. One was attempting to merge into heavy traffic all the while the "proud" grandparent was sitting in the passengers seat beside them.
I would guess that these kids were probably about 8 years old.

Grandparents please, if you love your grandchildren and value their safety, buckle them in the passengers side and DO NOT let them drive your golf cart!
It's hard enough for the adults to drive this time of year!

[Barefoot]

This year I've seen a lot of small children driving golf carts, often without supervision.
On 640 AM they are emphasizing that kids under 14 aren't allowed to drive golf carts.
I think that is good news because the radio reaches a lot of people.

[DonH57]

What did the Sheriff say?

[chuck90199]

Yesterday, on the way to Colony in the car, we passed a young woman (30ish) in a white rental 4-seat golf cart. We then noticed she was driving while holding an infant in her arms, and two young children between maybe 3 and 6 were standing on the passenger side of the cart holding onto the dash.

Please, miss... think about what you are doing. If you have more than one child in a golf cart, please have another adult with you to help out. If you're alone, perhaps you could ask a friend or neighbor to ride with you. Or, leave the cart at home and take the car with the proper car seats and restraints.

Carts are not toys... and you are not invincible.

[the square]

Well, you can tell it's Holiday time again. The grandchildren driving golf cart posts are
coming. Every year about this time we see these clearly underage CHILDREN driving golf carts. Some times grandpa is sitting with them some times not. All the years I've been here it's the same thing. The posts come hot and heavy but no action is ever taken. Only when one of these CHILDREN crack up a golf cart or hit someone will the powers to be and residents put a stop to it. I for one say that if me or my wife are ever in an accident caused by one of these CHILDREN, I will sue grandpa or whoever owns the cart and to take their house, their money and anything else, to teach them a lesson.
I don't want any CHILDREN to get hurt but someone has to be the ADULT here. I have Bogin, Munns and Munns on my speed dial...

[NotGolfer]

We all have friends who know better (and admit it with a grin or a chuckle) that they allowed their grandkids to drive the cart. I guess it will take a tragedy for someone to take notice.

[Fraugoofy]

Two years ago my son was driving my golf cart and one of the gate guards yelled at the top of her lungs, "He can't drive that cart!" Even though he was 15 at the time. He was small for his age. Sometimes thing are not as they appear...

[JoMar]

As with most things Villages.....there is no enforcement. So following rules is not on many peoples to do list.

[Mickedamouse24]

Who ever said a child aged 14 is responsible enough to drive a golf cart in the first place!!! Maybe age should be bumped up to legal driving age and a driver's license in their possesion!!!! Just Saying!!!

[Jim 9922]

Originally Posted by Fraugoofy

Two years ago my son was driving my golf cart and one of the gate guards yelled at the top of her lungs, "He can't drive that cart!" Even though he was 15 at the time. He was small for his age. Sometimes thing are not as they appear...

Yup. Sometimes it seems The Villages is full of people who want to wrap me and all others in their version of bubble wrap. I just try to watch out for my own, avoid the careless, and trust in Darwin's Law to eventually take care of the rest.

[OldManTime]

ANY ONE Driving a Golf Cart MUST have a Drivers License ! !

[Phanatic Luvr]

Originally Posted by DonH57

What did the Sheriff say?

Let's stop and think about what you just said ... you call the Sheriff and IF they were to come to such a call, as I am sure it is not high on their priority list, its now 5 to 10 minutes later. Where exactly do you tell them this cart with children driving is by now??????
The answer to this is, we have Grandparents who are not thinking about safety and think nothing will happen to them or their families here in this perfect little world we live in. They need to wake up!!!!!!!!!!

[Chatbrat]

The child will be charged with driving without a license-it will bite the child once they get their driver's license, even if its out of Florida. The owner of the cart will face a criminal charge. Again a 20 lb object @ 20mph weighs 400 lbs. Who do you know that can hold 400lbs with one hand ?

[gerryann]

Originally Posted by Fraugoofy

Two years ago my son was driving my golf cart and one of the gate guards yelled at the top of her lungs, "He can't drive that cart!" Even though he was 15 at the time. He was small for his age. Sometimes thing are not as they appear...

There is a reason that a drivers license is not allowed until age 16......and yet at 14 kids can legally drive a golf cart?? That's so ridiculous! Think of how much more dangerous a golf cart is. No protection whatsoever! No seat belts!

You should thank the gate guard for caring enough to yell at him.

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by Mickedamouse24

Who ever said a child aged 14 is responsible enough to drive a golf cart in the first place!!! Maybe age should be bumped up to legal driving age and a driver's license in their possesion!!!! Just Saying!!!

I agree. Especially since this is not some small, gated community with private streets, where there is much less traffic and they are less likely to get hurt or cause an accident. They should be driving age to be going out on streets like St. Charles & Morse, etc.