Sumter County Golf Carts
 

The date of the last post states "today" prior one was 11/2010 so I am not sure if this is active. However foxmeadow, fumar and richielion have my vote as they speak my mind. I have been here for 5 years and the drivers who create the largest hazards on the cartpaths are those drivers who appear to have carts powered by two AA batteries and I suspect these are the same people who get passed and then complain. I believe the police departments actions here are punitive to say the least. The Villages is expanding and will require travelling greater distances to various functions. Theortically we could live with a cart travelling at 19/20 mph. However realistically either because of a poorly conditioned cart and /or driver too often you will find that carts are not reaching 14mph and that is on a level pathway. the real culprit here is the design of cartpaths. They should have never been made multi-modal because you are just asking for an accident to occur. Try driving your cart before sunrise or after sunset, You will dsicover that you are blinded by headlights from other carts or cars adjacent to these cartpaths. You will find walkers or bicylist who seem to believe that all carts are provided with night vision goggles At those times I keep my speed below 15mph, sometimes less. Finally let me remind everyone that passing is permitted providing it is being done with caution. I have never heard a person complain that someone passed them unsafely only that someone passed them.:boom:

Clarification please
 

I understand the "speeding" of over 20 mph on the public roads.

For the "open container" of beer - is that also on the public roads only or is it illegal to have an open container while on the multi-modal path as well? Could a police officer stop you for open container on the crossover of public road to the other side of multi-modal path?

I have a Polaris Breeze with the flip down rear seat. Seat belts both front and back. I got mine at The Villages Golf Car Store at Colony. I check mine out for speed every now and then by using my GPS unit. Mine is unchanged from the factory and the speed according to the GPS is between 19 and 20 mph.

I also hope there are no fools out there who are driving golf carts without liability insurance. That could cost you a bundle of money - or even your home.

Sumter county........
 

tbug that is a good question and my immediate reaction is to the issue of " don't drink while you are driving" campaign". So I suspect if a cop stopped someone with an open container it may excuse the pun "leave it open" for discussion. Just a guess??? do you like your Polaris?. i do agree with the majority 19/20 mh ample Safety is an issue and let's face it as we age our reaction time slows.

How are speeders caught on the multimodal paths? Are there unmarked carts and speed traps??

:police:

On our Lifestyle Visit I got passed so many times it was silly but those carts are tuned way down. I test drove another cart and the difference was astounding.

Multi Modal Paths are private property. You can be cited on roads, not paths.

The Lady Lake PD has a golf cart which may be seen from time to time in SS. Sumter County sherrif also has a cart, which I have seen patroling at LSL and on the multi-modal path around Arnold Palmer. While I'm under the impression the trails are privately owned and public laws are not enforceable, I'm also thinking they are not patrolling for no reason.

Not too sure about that. If that were the case then speeding in parking lots would not be an offense.

I would be more concerned about my insurance coverage than receiving a ticket. The insurance company insured a golf cart. If the golf cart is modified to exceed 20MPH it is no longer a golf cart. If involved in an accident, regardless of fault, the claims adjuster is going to check for any modifications. The insured may find the policy was voided by modifying the vehicle and end up with a denied claim and return of premium.

Exceeding 20MPH in a cart can be costly if cited. That has been discussed. But in the event of an accident it can be ruinous.

The proliferation of golf carts in communities like ours is going to get the attention of the insurance companies, if it already hasn't. It will be them, not the police, who will make a difference.

SCSO has no jurisdiction to enforce violations on the multi-modal paths that exist on District property.

:1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

It would seem they must have some jurisdiction. If violations can not be enforced then there are no violations? Anyone can do whatever they want? If I were to witness someone drunk and driving a golf cart fast and erratically, who do I call? When there is an accident on the multi modal paths, are the police not called? There have been instances where autos have been driven on the paths. Who has the authority to remove them? It is my understanding the District has no policing authority.

I am not trying to be a smart aleck here. I am posing questions that concern me.

My husband and I were at the VA Clinic a few weeks ago and I took a picture a golf cart marked Sheriff....I think it was Marion County

So what are the cup holders for?It's one of the reasons I like this place............Stop whinning and have FUN ,,LIFE is to short

What about handicapped parking?
 

About a month ago I noticed that a golf cart was parked at Colony Plaza in a handicapped parking space. There was no handicapped placard displayed and the driver even made sure to park smack dab in the center of the space so no other cart could share the space.

Now I didn't get bothered by the fact that if the space wasn't occupied legally and I wouldn't be able to use the spot where I could have deployed my mobility ramp to unload and be assured that the deployment space would still available when I returned. It didn't bother me because I was waiting in the vehicle while my wife ran in to the store to pickup a few things and I didn't need the space at that time... but another legitimate user might have needed it and couldn't because of someones inconsiderate behavior.

As I sat waiting for my wife, the question came to mind of how can this kind of illegal parking be inforced when the carts are not registered and therefor not identifiable? Write a ticket to no one, a citation that wasn't worth the paper it was written on? Seems to me that anyone with a cart can break the accessable parking laws at will without being held responsible or facing consequences!

Am I missing something here where it could be enforced... like maybe immediate towing if the drivers not there to be identified? I'm interested in hearing what others have to say about this!

skyguy - If FL runs their show like OH does, a quick call to law enforcement will result in immediate action. You're right - how can they hope to enforce a ticket that's written to an essentially unregistered vehicle? But I'd guess the officer might be willing to wait a bit for the cart's owner to arrive and go from there. Otherwise, have the cart towed and apply the ticket to the tow bill. Just idle thinking - don't know how enforceable that would be either!!

Easiest way to make the point would be get some help to push the cart to another parking spot. That might help make the point to the cart's owner! :)

Bill

Wouldn't that put the "pushers" into the position of being guiltily of malicious mischief, (messing with somebody's private property?)

When I was a deputy in Mahoning County, Ohio, two cars were drag racing on a newly completed, as of yet, unopened stretch of interstate highway. There was an accident and both cars rolled over. I issued a bunch of citations to both drivers. The judge threw every one of them out because it was not yet a public road.

JLK