My assumption is the term "multi-modal" allows several different ways for the paths to be used. It is not illegal for a lsv to use these paths. I know GEM cars can use them, as well as street-legal par cars and others that fit the laws definition of street-legal. Since they can legally operate on these paths and there is no speed limit on them, the logical conclusion is they can go as fast as they are capable of going. Common sense and safety has to be used by all of us, no matter what we are doing on the paths. I have yet to see someone driving carelessly or behaving foolishly, though of course it happens. I get passed by the lsv's occasionally and it doesn't bother me, and it also doesn't bother me for them to have to slow down behind me. If it were a large problem we would be in danger of losing the privilege.

Mostly what the police are concerned with, and what they write most of their tickets for, is for a golf cart that is not street-legal going 25mph or greater, therefore operating as a lsv without wipers, improper suspension, no seat belts, etc. If one is doing this, then one is operating without proper insurance. They will require the guilty party to have their carts adjusted to legal parameters and pay a court cost of 253 bucks. They don't catch many others for illegally operating, such as dui or reckless driving, but they do catch the occasional violator. See this thread for some statistics: https://www.talkofthevillages.com/fo...ad.php?t=32752

Well.. don't you all know that all of The Villagers are rich?? The towns don't earn enough money from us so now they are going to nickel and dime us with going a few miles over the speed limit! Cut me a break. They should be patrolling neighborhoods and parking lots for vandals etc.

Is there a list of what methods of transport can use the paths? I have never seen it and am curious. As I asked earlier, if a Smart Car is the size of some larger golf carts can it use the multi modal paths?

Logic would say no, but :shrug:

I have a different take on this subject -

The sheriff's department is getting complaints about dangerous operation of golf carts. The majority of those complaints probably involve speeds unsafe for the conditions. There are accidents that validate the complaints. So they put a plan together to address the situation and it includes more monitoring of golf cart operation on the multi-modal paths, and everywhere else. The golf cart they are using is simply a tool for more effective enforcement.

This is just my opinion but it makes sense. If there are a bunch of break-ins in a neighborhood (which we have had here in TV) the sheriff steps up the patrols in that area. If they get complaints about speeders they appear with the radar. We had a neighbor complain about everyone running the stop sign in front of their house, next thing you know the sheriff was issuing tickets.

Part of the sheriff's job is to protect us. If they see a situation that is potential harmful they do what they have to do.

If they make a few $$$ in the process I don't consider it a nickel and dime operation.

Sorry, I think the speeders are something that should be handled by our local sheriffs. Have you ever seen a cart that has lost control at a corner? How about a golf cart darting into traffic to pass a cart going the legal limit on Morse? How about a cart being hit by a car because the cart didn't feel like stopping at the stop sign? I've seen all of this, including an incident where the golf cart driver was killed after she lost control of her cart.

Police officers are not just there to protect property. They are there to save lives. Law enforcement officers really and truly would prefer to not issue tickets and really and truly would prefer to catch those who are vandalizing, burglarizing, dealing in drugs and so on.

I love to drive fast. I've been known to drive down Highway 5 in California doing over 100 mph. However, I won't delibertately speed on city streets. I don't know what's going to jump out or be around the next cornerr. I do go over 20 mph in my golf cart. If I get pulled over for speeding in it, I won't argue the ticket -- I'll have deserved it, just as if I were doing my definition of cruising in California.

Speeding can be very dangerous. Reckless driving is always dangerous. A police-owned golf cart would be a deterrent to speeding -- you slow down on the highway when you see a police car; you'll slow down in your golf cart when you see a police cart. It would certainly serve its purpose in that regard. Also, there are some parts of TV where it would be easier to catch a wrong-doer in a cart than in a car. As to speeding tickets being a money-maker for the counties, of course they are, but there's a real simple solution if you don't want to add to the coffers of Sumter County: DON'T SPEED!

im with you!!! i think some of these posters are the same people who do 25 mph in the left lane.

Were the accidents that you have seen caused by speed or stupidity ? You can't legislate stupidity !

I believe some kind of low speed vehicle nabbed the alleged paint ball vandal in Lady Lake a few weeks ago.

All incidents I mentioned definitely had speed as a major factor. Stupidity was definitely part of the cause of one accident where the cart was in such a hurry to pass another cart that it darted into the road right in front of a car.

Well said, Red. Also agree with an earlier post by Talk Host.

I think you're correct. It was a low speed chase.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

I think one point that people are missing when they complain about the police catching golf carts that are speeding is that the cart has to have been altered in some way in order to travel that fast. This nullifies the insurance coverage. An Allstate agent said that the first thing they check when one of their insured 20mph golf cars is involved in an accident is to see if it was altered to go faster. If so, end of coverage. All the damage to property and human becomes the responsibility of the golf cart owner. There goes your retirement and your lifestyle, possibly. If you insist on driving 25 mph, get a street legal cart so you can be insured, imho.

There are altered carts out there, but I don't think it is 80% like someone said earlier. I rented a house before buying that came with a gas Yamaha. I found everyone to be going slower then me, so I took my gps to test the speed. Top speed was 27mph. My first thought was, I gotta get one like this. Then I found out about the laws here and decided to stay legal.

cart speed
 

I believe that the police should spend more time fighting real crime. I believe this golf cart issue in nonsense.Police love this job here. Overheard two county officer two years ago talking, they where making fun of the whole village area. Police cannot transfer here fast enough.Overheard this.

If I were a policeman I would love a post in TV.

Also I don't think there is really an issue with golf carts. Sorry for disagreeing, but the issue is the discussion on this forum. Out in TV, I don't see a problem. All villagers are free to do what they want with their carts. If we get caught doing something illegal, we knew we were taking the chance, just like when I drive 80 on the interstate. I have yet to be ticketed, but if I ever am, I can't argue with a ticket for doing 80 in a 70 zone. I think 64 tickets in 2 months with 80,000 people is pretty tame.

I think I see a Television Series coming. . . It's all about a vigilante who drives a blacked out golf cart with a radar camera stealthily mounted out of plain site. The vigilante posts photos of scofflaws on a website for insurance companies to peruse at their leisure. Everybody tries to catch him, but he always disappears into his cart cave submerged in Lake Sumter.

I can see it all in my mind. I see a police golf cart with a flashing blue light chasing an old geezer along the multi-modal trails. The policeman doesn't have a siren, so he is imitating one by wailing at the top of his lungs as he drives along. He finally gives up and gets off his cart and chases the perp down on foot by running across the road while the old geezer is going through a tunnel. When the old man comes out of the tunnel, the policeman jumps on the cart and snatches the key from the ignition, so he finally catches the 95 year old man. He attempts to administer a test for dui, but the old geezer doesn't have the lung capacity necessary to blow through a breathalyzer, so he takes him away chained to the police cart. A bunch of Villagers picket the courthouse claiming the police are guilty of abuse against senior citizens. It comes out in the trial that the cart was manufactured by Toyota (under the guise of Yamaha) and the man couldn't slow it down. He tells the court of the nightmare he endured going at speeds of up to 25mph, so he gets set free and Toyota has to recall all the golf carts and many villagers are without transportation.

Sorry, I got carried away with the story. I watch too much television.