By ELLA CARO
Golf carts cannot legally be driven on public roads or bike paths in Walton County, according to a spokesman for the Walton County Sheriff's Office traffic division.?Sgt. Joe Preston said drivers apprehended disobeying this law will be given "moving violation" citations with a fine of $115.50.? He said golf carts cannot be registered or licensed, and may only be used on private roads.
He explained the difference between golf carts and low speed vehicles. The latter, when properly outfitted and insured, may be licensed and driven on public roads, by licensed drivers, where posted speed limits are 35 miles per hour or less. The one exception for golf carts, Preston said, is when the cart is included in a permitted parade like the Fourth of July parade on CR-30A.
The increase in golf carts on public roads is becoming a serious problem in south Walton, Preston said, and is aggravated by real estate developers using them as promotional features for property sales and rentals. Advertising that says "five minutes from the beach by golf cart," and "free golf carts with property purchase" is being used to bolster sales. The sheriff's department has already warned two local developers about their misleading ads, and is preparing to crack down on more.
Golf carts seen parked at beach accesses or other parking lots will be issued a warning. Carts driven within subdivisions which have private roads must have a driver at least 14 years old.
A spokesman for the South Walton Community Council (SWCC) said their growth management committee has made a project of ensuring that golf carts are used safely and within the restrictions of state statutes. The growing number of golf carts on public roads, especially those driven by children, is fast becoming a safety hazard, according to SWCC.
Visitors to the area have complained there isn't enough public education on the subject. SWCC members expressed hopes that cooperation among the sheriff's office, the media, the South Walton Tourist Development Council and the SWCC growth management committee will help prevent accidents involving golf carts and will keep traffic moving on public roads.
Replies
34
Beach Fanatic
I happened to see 2 police cars stopped by the bike path today, talking to a golf cart filled with kids. The kids looked like they were about to cry. They had the golf cart on the bike path near The Retreat in BMB.
Meow
I happened to see 2 police cars stopped by the bike path today, talking to a golf cart filled with kids. The kids looked like they were about to cry. They had the golf cart on the bike path near The Retreat in BMB.
Busted. They should give a talk to the parents and make them cry as well.
Beach Fanatic
I think the point was that it is hard to see the bikers b/c of obstructions which is dangerous. Not that there should not be bikes.
Thanks Paige, that is the point. We use our bikes a lot, but we?re very aware of the danger when we approach a side street. Excited kids on vacation usually aren?t. I?m really surprised that there haven?t been some very serious situations.
We occasionally see kids going wild on golf carts, but there is a constant stream of kids riding bicycles on the path east of Seaside. I think the county should have some liability here. If they provide a bike path it should be safely maintained and visible by approaching traffic.
Beach Comber
This thread is pretty old. What is the current golf cart situation along 30A? What about low speed street legal cars like the one below?
Beach Lover
The vehicle you pictured can be licensed and insured and hence driven on Florida roads with a speed limit of 35mph or less. You can cross roads with a speed limit of up to 45mph but cannot drive down any road with a limit over 35mph. The vehicle must have a license plate and be insured to be street legal.
Beach Fanatic
I happened to see 2 police cars stopped by the bike path today, talking to a golf cart filled with kids. The kids looked like they were about to cry. They had the golf cart on the bike path near The Retreat in BMB.
Thank you police..where the heck are the darn parents? I hate to say it but, mark my words, there is going to be a serious accident one day created by an underaged Golf Cart driver somewhere on 30A! At that point, painfully but hopefully, it will put a COMPLETE stop to it!
Beach Fanatic
Thank you police..where the heck are the darn parents? I hate to say it but, mark my words, there is going to be a serious accident one day created by an underaged Golf Cart driver somewhere on 30A! At that point, painfully but hopefully, it will put a COMPLETE stop to it!
There are no cities in south Walton, thus no police cars that have jurisdiction. But I do know what you mean.
Beach Fanatic
The vehicle you pictured can be licensed and insured and hence driven on Florida roads with a speed limit of 35mph or less. You can cross roads with a speed limit of up to 45mph but cannot drive down any road with a limit over 35mph. The vehicle must have a license plate and be insured to be street legal.
What statute covers this? The only minimum speeds that I recall in Florida are on Interstate Highways.
Beach Lover
Here is the link to the Statute:
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes...Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0316/Sec2122.htm
316.2122 Operation of a low-speed vehicle on certain roadways.--The operation of a low-speed vehicle, as defined in s. 320.01(42), on any road as defined in s. 334.03(15) or (33), is authorized with the following restrictions:
(1) A low-speed vehicle may be operated only on streets where the posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less. This does not prohibit a low-speed vehicle from crossing a road or street at an intersection where the road or street has a posted speed limit of more than 35 miles per hour.
(2) A low-speed vehicle must be equipped with headlamps, stop lamps, turn signal lamps, taillamps, reflex reflectors, parking brakes, rearview mirrors, windshields, seat belts, and vehicle identification numbers.
(3) A low-speed vehicle must be registered and insured in accordance with s. 320.02.
(4) Any person operating a low-speed vehicle must have in his or her possession a valid driver's license.
(5) A county or municipality may prohibit the operation of low-speed vehicles on any road under its jurisdiction if the governing body of the county or municipality determines that such prohibition is necessary in the interest of safety.
(6) The Department of Transportation may prohibit the operation of low-speed vehicles on any road under its jurisdiction if it determines that such prohibition is necessary in the interest of safety.
http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes...Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0316/Sec2122.htm
316.2122 Operation of a low-speed vehicle on certain roadways.--The operation of a low-speed vehicle, as defined in s. 320.01(42), on any road as defined in s. 334.03(15) or (33), is authorized with the following restrictions:
(1) A low-speed vehicle may be operated only on streets where the posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less. This does not prohibit a low-speed vehicle from crossing a road or street at an intersection where the road or street has a posted speed limit of more than 35 miles per hour.
(2) A low-speed vehicle must be equipped with headlamps, stop lamps, turn signal lamps, taillamps, reflex reflectors, parking brakes, rearview mirrors, windshields, seat belts, and vehicle identification numbers.
(3) A low-speed vehicle must be registered and insured in accordance with s. 320.02.
(4) Any person operating a low-speed vehicle must have in his or her possession a valid driver's license.
(5) A county or municipality may prohibit the operation of low-speed vehicles on any road under its jurisdiction if the governing body of the county or municipality determines that such prohibition is necessary in the interest of safety.
(6) The Department of Transportation may prohibit the operation of low-speed vehicles on any road under its jurisdiction if it determines that such prohibition is necessary in the interest of safety.
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