[Muncle]

Originally Posted by BogeyBoy

So just because a golf cart is souped up that means the driver is in an unregistered vehicle? Suppose I soup mine up so I can climb every hill at 19 mph? I never exceed that speed, it can't go any faster, I just like to be able to go that fast up hills and have souped it up to do so. The deputy looks at it and sees it is souped up and I get a ticket? I don't think so - he would have to actually observe me going over 20 mph or prove the cart is "capable" of going over 20 mph.

You would not be cited for speeding. Seemingly, you would be cited for operating an unregistered vehicle, i.e., a non golf cart, because the vehicle violates the guidelines that qualify it as a golf cart under FL laws. And no, before you bring it up, this would not be like busting a woman for prostitution just because she was equipped for it.





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[BogeyBoy]

Originally Posted by Muncle

You would not be cited for speeding. Seemingly, you would be cited for operating an unregistered vehicle, i.e., a non golf cart, because the vehicle violates the guidelines that qualify it as a golf cart under FL laws. And no, before you bring it up, this would not be like busting a woman for prostitution just because she was equipped for it.





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I wouldn't expect to be cited for speeding because I specifically stated the cart can't go any faster - a prior post said I would get a ticket for altering safety equipment. So if you put some of those big wheels on a cart you have made it unstable and therefore altered safety equipment - it is no longer a cart? (BTW, safe tires are specifically mentioned in the state statutes referring to operation of golf carts.)

[Talk Host]

Originally Posted by BogeyBoy

I wouldn't expect to be cited for speeding because I specifically stated the cart can't go any faster - a prior post said I would get a ticket for altering safety equipment. So if you put some of those big wheels on a cart you have made it unstable and therefore altered safety equipment - it is no longer a cart? (BTW, safe tires are specifically mentioned in the state statutes referring to operation of golf carts.)

I think you may be more correct that you might think about those tires.

[downeaster]

Originally Posted by EdVinMass

Normally, a motor vehicle operated on public roads in Florida must be registered and insured as described in [ And section 320.001(22) defines a golf cart as a vehicle that is “Not Capable” of exceeding 20mph.

So, if you are driving a golf cart in TV that is capable of exceeding 20mph on one of the public roads that has a golf cart lane, the authorities can nail you for driving an unregistered vehicle regardless of how fast or slow you were actually driving. And this is a much more serious offense than a simple speeding ticket.

"Not capable" are the key words from the above qoute. That's the law.

I understand, in the event of an accident, regardless of who is at fault, the insurance adjuster will check the cart to determine if it has been altered in any way that will increase the speed in excess of 20MPH. In the event it has been altered the policy may have been voided by that action. At that point a traffic citation fine will be pocket change compared to the expense of the law suit.

It is a high price to pay just to get to the golf course a couple of minutes ahead of your buddies.

[Hancle704]

This issue and the fine points about the statutes just keeps coming up. We were given the right in TV to use our golf carts for more than to and from the courses and while playing golf. More recently we were given the right to use carts that are properly equipped for driving after sundown and before sunrise. ( It wasn't always that way in TV.)

Ever since we received these additional priviledges there have been some folks who could not just be satisfied with that, and have continued to push the envelope. They must go faster than everyone else and pass everything in their way. All I can say is ever since these changes in the rules were enacted, we have seen more and more examples of speeding golf carts driven by inconsiderate operators and more frequent serious accidents involving carts.

So debate the issue all you want, it just wont ever satisfy some folks who are not concerned that the rights we were given also included some reponsibilities and these priviledges could be taken away.

When they finally wind up paying their traffic fines or worse,visiting an accident victim in the hospital or funeral home then maybe they will finally realize that going 5 mph faster than everone else was really just not that important in the grand scheme of things.

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by bimmertl

This isn't about statutes, it's about an insurance policy. It's important to recognize they are two entirely different things.

My golf cart is insured on a "recreational vehicle" policy. The policy defines a "recreational vehicle" as a "motorized all terrain vehicle, amphibious vehicle, dune buggy, golfmobile, snowmobile or trail or minibike". It's a modified auto policy designed to insure the vehicles mentioned. The described vehicle on the policy is a 2006 Yamaha golf cart.

So the golf cart meets the definition of a rec vehicle for coverage purposes. There is no language in the policy stating "this coverage does not apply if the described vehilce has been modified to exceed the speed of some, or most or a few golf carts or if it needs to be licensed. There is no policy exclusion, endorsement or definiton that strips coverage for a golf cart that goes 20.1 MPH.

In addition, if you golf cart goes 19mph it's already been modified to go faster than the factory set speed which is 12-14mph. So according to this "theory" it's already in violation of the non existent policy language.

Have your attorney friend who "specializes" in golf cart claims recite the policy language. It's clear he doesn't specialize in insurance coverage issues.

The statements that you will be ticketed for not registering an LSV are true. However, this isn't about violations of the motor vehicle code or statutes, we are discussing coverage on an insurance policy.

What's next, the med pay section of the policy contains "death panel" language?

How does the cost of a recreational vehicle policy compare to golf cart insurance?

[chacam]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

Check with your agent. That's the best source of information. What I say is irrelevant. Or you may just ignore the issue.

If what you say is irrelevant, why did you start this post ? ?

[Talk Host]

Originally Posted by chacam

If what you say is irrelevant, why did you start this post ? ?

Nice try at twisting this. You know my point. Why try to create a negative spin? Is it because you have a golf cart that exceeds the legal limit and you don't want to know the true consequences?

Ah, but maybe I'm wrong about that!!!!

[Hancle704]

Your golf cart being covered under a Recreational Vehicle policy means nothing with respect to this discussion. My golf cart was also covered under a similar policy with Allstate and I suspect that was a catch-all classification for a variety of vehicles. My EZ-Go was clearly not a Winnebago. Just like your Smart Car is not a Rolls Royce but they are both Automobiles. If you informed your Agent that your application for insurance was for your "golf cart" then it should meet the definition of a golf cart as specified in the Florida Statutes. If it has been modified to drive at speeds higher than stated in the Statute, then you are driving an unregistered vehicle and have misrepresented the vehicle in your application. Seems logical to me, that your insurance company might not back you up for any claims on a vehicle that you misrepresnted.

Of course I may be wrong and that's no problem for you but if you are wrong about this, then you own the problem.

[otherbruddaDarrell]

I agree with you Hancle704.

[downeaster]

Originally Posted by Hancle704

Your golf cart being covered under a Recreational Vehicle policy means nothing with respect to this discussion. My golf cart was also covered under a similar policy with Allstate and I suspect that was a catch-all classification for a variety of vehicles. My EZ-Go was clearly not a Winnebago. Just like your Smart Car is not a Rolls Royce but they are both Automobiles. If you informed your Agent that your application for insurance was for your "golf cart" then it should meet the definition of a golf cart as specified in the Florida Statutes. If it has been modified to drive at speeds higher than stated in the Statute, then you are driving an unregistered vehicle and have misrepresented the vehicle in your application. Seems logical to me, that your insurance company might not back you up for any claims on a vehicle that you misrepresnted.

Of course I may be wrong and that's no problem for you but if you are wrong about this, then you own the problem.

Well said, Hancle. I might add, if you modify your cart to drive at speeds over 20MPH after your insurance has been issued, you may have voided the policy. In any event, to quote TH, "you lose".

[RCT]

The "capability" of going over 20 mph? If this is the rule for carts, then why isn't this the rule for cars on U.S. roads?? Every damn car has the "capability" of going over any speed limit we have in this country. Seems like a clear case of a double standard.

[Talk Host]

Originally Posted by RCT

The "capability" of going over 20 mph? If this is the rule for carts, then why isn't this the rule for cars on U.S. roads?? Every damn car has the "capability" of going over any speed limit we have in this country. Seems like a clear case of a double standard.

I think the difference is that speed limits vary for registered vehicles. Some higher, some lower. In the case of golf carts, the state has established a guideline as to when a vehicle needs to be registered. If a cart exceeds 20 miles per hour, it is considered a vehicle that needs to be registered. When it is, then it can speed on I-75 like the rest of them.

[BobKat1]

Plus, cars are better equipped to safely exceed the posted speed limits.

Suspensions, handling, brakes, engines and all of the safety equipment are much more sophiscated on cars vs. carts.

[RCT]

I understand that cars have more safety implemented in them, but not to the 120 and above that most cars are "capable" of going. There has always been a very easy remedy for this, wether it be a golf cart or a car. Mandate that they NOT be built to be able to go faster. Of course, this has never been done, because fines are a huge revenue source. Only reason. So, what comes out of the mouths about speed limits, and what is actually done to make sure that these are adhered to, is doubletalk. You think that the risk factor of a golf cart going 5 miles over the limit for them, which is 25 percent over, and a car going 100 or over, which, at 75 mph limit, is at least 33 percent over, is greater? Not in my mind. The golf cart going over the limit, is raising the risk factor mostly to the driver of that cart, whereas the car going 100 or over, is raising the risk factor to the driver AND all the others on the road. I know this is off the topic a bit, but, I sure feel there are many bigger issues to worry about, than a golf cart going 23-25 mph.