[Talk Host]

If you see a child, in this case a six year old, driving a golf cart on the street, (Today on Legacy Lane) and grandma is sitting on the passenger side, and you say nothing, and later the cart is involved in an accident and somebody is hurt or killed, do you share in the blame?

(IN this case, cars and carts were whizzing by in both directions and the kid was driving about 5 miles an hour, with her rear end on the edge of the seat so she would reach the pedals and her nose up over the steering wheel so she could see.)

Note to Grandma......"....shame on you....shame....shame.....shame."

JLK

[RCT]

I understand the moral part, but, also have to think about the legal part, remembering also, that the golf cart community is a privilege, that theoretically, can be taken away if there are too many incidents. I personally always say something when I see a young one driving, and if someone is offended, then so be it. I do not want to ever see this aspect of our community in jeopardy just because of a parent or grandparent who doesn't know how to say no to a child. The children in my family know that they ABSOLUTELY WILL NOT be able to drive a golf cart here until they are 15, and won't be able to take it out without a adult with them until they have their legal driving privileges, end of story. These people that feel they are doing a child or grandchild a favor, or giving them a present by allowing this, are misguided, and I will continue to say something and protect my lifestyle here, wether they get mad or not.

[Halle]

Originally Posted by RCT

I understand the moral part, but, also have to think about the legal part, remembering also, that the golf cart community is a privilege, that theoretically, can be taken away if there are too many incidents. I personally always say something when I see a young one driving, and if someone is offended, then so be it. I do not want to ever see this aspect of our community in jeopardy just because of a parent or grandparent who doesn't know how to say no to a child. The children in my family know that they ABSOLUTELY WILL NOT be able to drive a golf cart here until they are 15, and won't be able to take it out without a adult with them until they have their legal driving privileges, end of story. These people that feel they are doing a child or grandchild a favor, or giving them a present by allowing this, are misguided, and I will continue to say something and protect my lifestyle here, wether they get mad or not.

Easy access to almost everything we need via Golfcart is one of the reasons we bought a home in TV. I also feel an obligation to speak up when I see laws being broken. If we were all more pro-active we might see some positive results.

[dillywho]

QUOTE=RCT;198584]I understand the moral part, but, also have to think about the legal part, remembering also, that the golf cart community is a privilege, that theoretically, can be taken away if there are too many incidents. I personally always say something when I see a young one driving, and if someone is offended, then so be it. I do not want to ever see this aspect of our community in jeopardy just because of a parent or grandparent who doesn't know how to say no to a child. The children in my family know that they ABSOLUTELY WILL NOT be able to drive a golf cart here until they are 15, and won't be able to take it out without a adult with them until they have their legal driving privileges, end of story. These people that feel they are doing a child or grandchild a favor, or giving them a present by allowing this, are misguided, and I will continue to say something and protect my lifestyle here, wether they get mad or not.[/QUOTE]

I still would like to know if these same grandparents would (or do) let them drive their "big" cars. My guess would be no and these people need to realize that the carts are motorized vehicles and not toys! I have heard about the tickets and that the kids can't get their license when they do become of age, but are the grandparents/parents fined? A very hefty fine might well get their attention. The question keeps getting asked everyday why kids are so out of control.....this is a prime example. They are not taught the true meaning of the word "no" nor do they understand authority. Too much of the time they get to make the rules (or lack thereof).

Unfortunately, someone else will get the blame and lawsuits will fly when one of them gets hurt or worse. The kids are not to blame for wanting to drive the carts. The grandparents and parents are.

[Talk Host]

I think they are also teaching the kids that it's okay to break the law.

[mfp509]

I dread school breaks because of this very reason. If they would just start dishing out fines to the adults allowing these kids to drive the golf cart maybe word would get around and some of it would stop. I've said it before - unfortunately a very serious accident or even fatality will have to occur before they will make any attempt to control it. In the 6 years I have lived here I have seen this problem increase because of the increase in population. It's only a matter of time that something serious will happen which probably could be avoided.

[SUNNYMARYANN]

Is there no law enforcement or controlling authority within The Villages? If there were a Homeowners association (I understand there is none) the HOA would be the ones to send a letter to the homeowner making them aware of the penalty for allowing a child to drive a golf cart.
There must be someone who can uphold and enforce the rules and who will alert the rule breakers of the penalty. A retirement community is not the place where I would expect to see kids running around uncontrolled and especially driving a motorized vehicle. There must be someone that these offenders can be reported to and some form of penalty.

[thirtyoughtsix]

do you tell all golf cart operators who "fly" by you going much faster then the legal 19.6 mph that they are speeding,( I would bet that a very high percent of golf carts can and do go much faster that the legal limit) or do you call the state police when each car goes by you at 80 mph, I doubt it and while I don't condone "gram and gramps" letting their underage grandchildren drive their carts I do not believe its the responsibility of any of us to act as "law enforcement". I would venture a guess that most of the violators know that it is either illegal or a violation and are 'taking a chance" they will not be caught. I unfortunately do not know the answer (perhaps more county sheriffs patrolling our streets and multimodal paths) but I for one would never tell someone what they can or can't do unless it directly affects my safety or infringes on my property ( as in the case of a pet owner allowing their pet to use your lawn to do its business).

[RCT]

Originally Posted by thirtyoughtsix

do you tell all golf cart operators who "fly" by you going much faster then the legal 19.6 mph that they are speeding,( I would bet that a very high percent of golf carts can and do go much faster that the legal limit) or do you call the state police when each car goes by you at 80 mph, I doubt it and while I don't condone "gram and gramps" letting their underage grandchildren drive their carts I do not believe its the responsibility of any of us to act as "law enforcement". I would venture a guess that most of the violators know that it is either illegal or a violation and are 'taking a chance" they will not be caught. I unfortunately do not know the answer (perhaps more county sheriffs patrolling our streets and multimodal paths) but I for one would never tell someone what they can or can't do unless it directly affects my safety or infringes on my property ( as in the case of a pet owner allowing their pet to use your lawn to do its business).

Are you playing Devil's advocate? What is your motive for this post? Children driving DOES affect our safety, and it DOES infringe on all our lifestyle when it eventually could come down to losing the right to have this as a golf cart community. The state grants us the privilege to have this, as they do other golf cart communities. I guess you wouldn't say something to someone that litters, also? And, although I agree that a dog going on your lawn isn't nice, I think that a 15 years or younger child driving a golf cart on streeets is much more dangerous, wouldn't you say???

[Laker14]

Originally Posted by thirtyoughtsix

do you tell all golf cart operators who "fly" by you going much faster then the legal 19.6 mph that they are speeding,( I would bet that a very high percent of golf carts can and do go much faster that the legal limit) or do you call the state police when each car goes by you at 80 mph, I doubt it and while I don't condone "gram and gramps" letting their underage grandchildren drive their carts I do not believe its the responsibility of any of us to act as "law enforcement". I would venture a guess that most of the violators know that it is either illegal or a violation and are 'taking a chance" they will not be caught. I unfortunately do not know the answer (perhaps more county sheriffs patrolling our streets and multimodal paths) but I for one would never tell someone what they can or can't do unless it directly affects my safety or infringes on my property ( as in the case of a pet owner allowing their pet to use your lawn to do its business).

If enough stupid people do stupid things, then eventually the insurance companies put a stop to insuring. Then nobody will be able to drive a golf cart. IF you can do something to abate the stupidity, no matter whose noses get out of joint, you should do it. I wouldn't worry about being polite either.

I don't see a dilemma here at all.

I'd take a picture with my cell phone, and tell the idiot that you are going to report her. Then I'd report her.

[macgolfnut]

Thirtyoughtsix, I don't normally get mad at a comment on TOTV, but your comments really ticked me off. So it is better to bury your head in the sand and ignore a problem than get involved. We should all just mind our own business and let something that is both illegal and terribly dangerous continue because it is supposedly not our problem? I guess if I see someone robbing your house I should not do anything about it because "it is not our responsibility to act as law enforcement." A dog doing it's business on your lawn is important, but putting a child's life in danger or endangering someone else's life or property is not important. It's a little more difficult to do something about a speeder on the highway than it is to say something to an overzealous grandparent who won't teach their grandchild rules and safety.

[CJ]

Plain and simple: TV needs written rules...we all are at risk...carts do enter the street at some points and then car drivers and cart drivers use good judgement to insure safety for both.

Who should we report this activity to now? Police? Maybe alerting them and asking their input? The Moores family? I am new here and am truly upset by this.

Originally Posted by CJ

Plain and simple: TV needs written rules...we all are at risk...carts do enter the street at some points and then car drivers and cart drivers use good judgement to insure safety for both.

Who should we report this activity to now? Police? Maybe alerting them and asking their input? The Moores family? I am new here and am truly upset by this.

That would really be a first. The youngest person I have seen driving a golf cart in TV was maybe 7 or 8.

This upsets me too but what are we to do about it? Distract the kid driver by yelling at him or her and/or at the grandparents/parents/uncles/aunts or whomever happens to be in the cart with this kid?

I was just coming out of the tunnel under CR101 just west of Crispers in Southern Trace Shopping Center while this minor (about 10 to 12 years old) and his grandparent were turning into the tunnel a few days ago. That seemed to be gunning for an accident if I tried to tell the grandparent how unsafe this made me feel seeing someone so young also taking that turn.

[billethkid]

which is typical....especially in today's litigious and permissive society.
However, there are those of us who view it is a part of our responsibility to bring to a violators attention what they are doing wrong.

The reaction one gets will go all the way from being flipped the bird (isn't it grotesque when a senior does it!!!) to a thank you.

It is not enforcing anything. It is called doing the right thing when one is observed clearly doing something wrong or unsafe.

Over my life time I have been cursed and flipped off more than thanked. I always wish them a good day and wave bye-bye saying...see ya in church!!!

BTK

[tankdvr1950]

as a soon to be resident of TV (June....YEA!!!!)....this post scares me big time...

its just shows you that idiotic people are everywhere...yes...grandma...that means you

as others have said...i read other posts that get my dander up but i let it go...but this one crosses the line.....how could any adult...especially one over 50 be so stupid as to allow a child to drive a golf cart and to have someone propose that we all ignore it....its as stupid as what grandma did.

knowing that this type of illogical and dangerous behavior occurs....what the solution

having worked in government all my working life...i know that the local authorities will not act until something tragic happens (probably more than once since one occurrence is only an "accident")...or until the residents raise such a hue and cry that the politicians cannot ignore it and take some action....(question...how many TV residents are willing to give up some of their retirement to protest this situation and pressure their county representatives to make something happen???)

i would like to see a sheriff in a golf cart with a radar gun enforcing speed limits and other safety issues (i.e. age of driver????).....i would like to see a registration requirement for carts...with the requirements to display number plates...so at least one could report apparent violations to the local law enforcement authorities...and yes...i for one would be willing to pay a bit more taxes to help insure my wife's and my safety on the cart paths...and maybe golf car driving privileges could/should be taken away for multiple violations

rather than put our heads in the sand and doing nothing and accepting a dangerous situation, maybe there are enough concerned TOTV members that are willing to spend a little time and money to improve everyone's safety