[Buckeyephan]

Wow! Good to know about passing slow golf carts. Have to remind myself that I'm retired and have lots if time. Lots to learn about being a FROG.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by njbchbum

I'm delighted that the sheriff's office has the resources to enforce motor vehicle laws in the villages and throughout the county! not a waste of time in my book if it increases awareness and prevents accidents! the villages has seen some doozies that might have been prevented with greater awareness and conformance with the law! and i don't want to be involved in even a minor one! hooray for enforcement!

Many Villagers share your sentiments.

[tracy1j]

How fast was the OP driving?

[ajbrown]

Originally Posted by tracy1j

How fast was the OP driving?

Originally Posted by missypie

May I ask how fast he said you were going?

Good questions... I am very interested...

[ijusluvit]

Originally Posted by johmer1

I was driving down bailey trail going towards the gate when a traffic police officer came out of hiding and pulled me over for driving my electric cart over the allowed 20 miles an hour. Since golf carts by state law cannot exceed 20 miles an hour and when it does it is no longer a golf cart but a motor vehicle. Has anyone out there in Sumter County have or had the same issue? I need to know what happened when you had to appear in court. How much was the fine and did you have to replace your motor for a slower one? Call me at 352 750-9514 or respond to this thread with advise for me before May 1. That is the date I have to go to court in Bushnell.

What I have heard previously suggests you will go to court initially and be sent to an authorized dealer to have your cart drive train checked and, if necessary, altered to prevent it from exceeding 19.9 mph. This can cost as much as hundreds of dollars. When you return to court with the dealer's report, you will have to pay a hefty fine. One local company advertises something like this: "Your choice - a $475 ticket or a $180 speedometer - NO BRAINER!!" (forgive the approximate figures cited. I do believe they are close however).

[buggyone]

Even without knowing you personally, I am very glad you got caught going over the 20 mph limit for golf carts. You knew what the speed limit was and you chose to ignore it. You deserve the ticket and the monetary penalty that comes with it.

[Irish Rover]

LNDLOCKED the message on this site usually is THERE is no crime in TV. With this in mind that leaves speeders in carts or cars to pick on. If you have a better idea let us know, or are you saying TV is loaded with crime?

[downeaster]

Originally Posted by tracy1j

How fast was the OP driving?

I don't believe it was a case of how fast he was going. It was a case of driving a cart that was capable of exceeding 20MPH. The following definitions may be helpful. My emphasis.

20.01 Definitions, general.—As used in the Florida Statutes, except as otherwise provided, the term:
(1) “Motor vehicle” means:
(a) An automobile, motorcycle, truck, trailer, semitrailer, truck tractor and semitrailer combination, or any other vehicle operated on the roads of this state, used to transport persons or property, and propelled by power other than muscular power
(22) “Golf cart” means a motor vehicle that is designed and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting or recreational purposes and that is not capable of exceeding speeds of 20 miles per hour
(42) “Low-speed vehicle” means any four-wheeled vehicle whose top speed is greater than 20 miles per hour but not greater than 25 miles per hour, including, but not limited to, neighborhood electric vehicles. Low-speed vehicles must comply with the safety standards in 49 C.F.R. s. 571.500 and s. 316.2122.3

I believe the penalty for operating an unregistered vehicle is greater than that for a speeding ticket and requires a court appearance.

[57ChevyFI]

I heard the fine is about 250.00. How fast were you going? I heard they will give you up to 23 MPH, then it becomes a problem.

[mrdills]

You will get a ticket for.... driving without a registration, driving with out a license plate, and driving without insurance, this will be a costly ticket, and maybe you might lose your driving privileges. the message here is DON'T drive over 20 MPH in a regular golf cart. There is so many golf cart exceeding the speed limits and I'm so glad they are finally cracking down.

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by eremite06

Many many carts exceed the speed limit. If we didn't have rules and laws, I guess we'd have anarchy. Police uphold the laws as they should. That tired, worn out gripe about don't they have better things to do and higher crimes to stop, really bugs me.

I got my very first speeding ticket in my truck just 4 months ago after I've been driving nearly 50 years. I was in the wrong, I was speeding, paid the ticket and took the driving class. End of story!

Well said. I so agree.

[ugotme]

Sorry for this question but not yet a Villager.

Was this on a road or a golf path within the Villages?

[Golf View]

Originally Posted by johmer1

I was driving down bailey trail going towards the gate when a traffic police officer came out of hiding and pulled me over for driving my electric cart over the allowed 20 miles an hour. Since golf carts by state law cannot exceed 20 miles an hour and when it does it is no longer a golf cart but a motor vehicle. Has anyone out there in Sumter County have or had the same issue? I need to know what happened when you had to appear in court. How much was the fine and did you have to replace your motor for a slower one? Call me at 352 750-9514 or respond to this thread with advise for me before May 1. That is the date I have to go to court in Bushnell.

How fast did the cop say you were going, & how is it you have a cart that exceeds the pre-set limit the manufacturer sets the controller at?

[Buckeye]

Please answer......How fast were you going???

I know of carts that were stopped on Bailey Trail going 24 and the officer said if they were going 25 they would have issued a ticket. They just gave a verbal warning.

[Shimpy]

Originally Posted by LndLocked

It is always heart warming and reassuring when SCSO catches such a egregious transgression of the law of the land. I mean, heaven forbid they should have to to the hard work of catching actual criminals.

Exactly. This post is winding down but like I knew it would, it got responses from many "goody two shoes" that are alarmed to hear that someone was driving 2 mph over the speed limit. Horrible. What a danger to society. 2 mph is less than a slow walking speed. This is an active adult community. If you don't choose to participate or can't, don't complain if it moves faster than you.