The story below from someone who received a citation while driving their golf cart in The Villages was passed along to me this week, and I thought it was worth sharing with you here.
Its a great reminder that when you're in a golf cart, traffic laws still apply and they might be different that the laws you follow when in your car.
The Villages Homeowner's Association puts on monthly golf cart safety clinics the third Wednesday of every month at Savannah Center. These clinics are held with representatives from the Sumter County Sheriff's Office. If you are unsure of the laws that govern the operation of your cart, it wouldn't hurt to attend one of these.
Another resource I discovered while putting this article together is GolfCartSafety.com which is run by a local law firm representing people in cases involving carts, but regardless of how you feel about lawyers its a pretty good resource so check it out.
Anyway, here's the email I received: (Names have been removed to protect the innocent)
Recently my wife and I were going to Spanish Springs to meet another couple for dinner and a movie. Somewhere along Morse Blvd., out of the blue, I see a Deputy Sheriff on a motorcycle with his lights flashing behind me in the (Golf Cart) ‘Diamond Lane'.
I pulled to a stop and the Deputy informed me that I was exceeding 20mph in my “golf cart”. He gave me a slip of paper which stated that the Florida Statute 320.01 defines a golf cart as a vehicle which is NOT CAPABLE of exceeding 20 mph.
Because of this, when I exceeded 20 mph I was no longer in a golf cart but I was driving a motorized vehicle on public roads without proper registration or license. He then served me with a citation to that effect and told me it was a criminal offense.
He also said that if I produced a certified letter from a golf cart shop that the golf cart was adjusted to not exceed 20 mph the judge may let me off with just court costs. The citation had a date that I was to appear in the county court in Bushnell, FL. It also stated “Criminal Violation court appearance required”.
I thought to myself – here I am enjoying one of the most talked about benefits of “Florida's Most Friendly City” on my way to a movie and I end up as a criminal.
I was very anxious so when I got home I searched the internet trying to find out how hot the water was that I was in. I went to TalkOfTheVillages and found some discussion related to my situation.
I went to the Sumter County Clerk website and found that a CLASS 2 Misdemeanor was a Criminal offense punishable with a fine of up to $500 and 6 months in the county jail.
I thought WHAT! – Morse Blvd. has a speed limit of 30mph – I was not going any speed close to the limit and I could end up fined and in jail because I was in a golf cart and not in a car. And in addition to that I will now have a CRIMINAL RECORD.
Going to Court
I appeared in court in Bushnell at 9:00 a.m. on the proper date. Misdemeanor offenses are prosecuted in Courtroom B of the court house. The Judge took time to explain in great detail how the pleading process worked and the procedure that followed each type of plea. He also said that he puts everyone on probation, usually for six months, to allow them time to pay the costs incurred. One important note stated by the judge is that he evaluates each case on its own merits, so a person should not expect the same sentencing as any other person who committed the same violation. His questions to each person who I witnessed appearing before him, including myself, were to clarify the violation and circumstances related to it.
When I was called to come before him, he read the charge and ask me for my plea. My plea was “No Contest” because I had no idea I was creating a criminal offense by driving the golf cart in excess of 20 mph. I now know I was wrong, but I didn’t even think I was speeding since Morse Blvd. has a 30 mph speed limit.
The Judge was very pleasant and professional while carrying out his duties. He didn’t fine me but told me I had court costs to pay and that he was withholding adjudication for which I am very grateful. Also, I was placed on probation until the costs were paid.
I then had some papers to sign in the court room. After this I went to the County Clerks office to setup payment and find out the amounts due ($253-court costs) and then to the cashiers office to pay – cash, credit card, (no personal checks). She sent me down the street to take the probation clerk my receipt. The lady at this office had me fill out more papers of personal info. for their system and pay them $50. This could only be a money order, nothing else – no cash, no check, no credit card only a money order. The lady in the office said I could get a money order at the Shell gas station on the corner. I walk to the gas station and gave the clerk $51.50 for the $50 money order. After I gave the lady in the probation office the $50 money order she said the case was closed and I should get written notification within a week.
THE GOOD
All the people at the court house were nice and pleasant to deal with. That includes the clerks, the deputies, and the Judge.
THE BAD
It cost $304.50 at the court house and approximately $125.00 for the certification of the golf cart. TOTAL $429.50
THE UGLY
At the end of the process you have a CRIMINAL RECORD.
NOTE: Before you can enter the court room you must be wearing long pants (no Shorts), a tucked in shirt that is buttoned up, no hat, no sunglasses, no chewing gum.
My advice – Don’t exceed 20mph in a golf cart – Drive your car if you need to go faster.
June Kennedy says
I was there (at The Villages) visiting last month.. I was amazed how car exceed the speed limits down the roads.. The round abouts are new to visitors and it takes a couple of days to learn Which lanes are for turning and which ones go straight around. Most folks We’re sympathetic and knew I was probably a visitor, but some acted like they were going to a fire and very rude!!! I always say…
if you have to be in a hurry to go somewhere DON’T go..
Seems some don’t really know what time it is!
Slow Down and enjoy the ride!!!
It’s the only thing I didn’t love about The Villages..
Shirley Snyder says
I live on a street that allows golf carts to pass through from another village. The speed limit on my street is 10 MPH. Two unrelated visitors told me they almost got run over by
speeding golf carts when crossing the street from the parking area to my house. On a number of occasions when working in the front yard carts came speeding by so fast that
they almost knocked me over and I was on my own property. I notice golf carts not obeying the rules of the road and have seen two or three golf carts taking their turn at stop signs at the same time. Because off road golf carts have no identification it is impossible to know
who caused an infraction.
Also, I am a former court recorder. In some states the judge requires more strict dress codes. If there was no dress code we would have low slung pants with underwear showing.
Further, like anything else, dressing properly gives you more credibility, especially in a formal setting like a court room. We may be retired but we still can be respectful and obey the rules.
James Rogers says
It’s more than just speed. Golf carts do not meet all the safety requirements like safety glass, all wheel brakes, seat belts, doors! among other things. if you had to maneuver at over 20 miles an hour and your wife felt out of the cart and died, how would you feel about the speed limit then?
m moore says
So you didn’t know the law? It’s widely known here. You broke it, you paid the price. If you need to go that fast, take your car.
Also seems most people would be respectful enough not to wear shorts to court. Apparently they have the rule because to many entitlement jerks want to make like they were victims when they broke the law.
Pat Wheeler says
Maybe all villagers preparing to drive a golf cart should be required to take the golf cart safety class. My husband and. I attended and found it to be very informative and helpful. Several area police agencies made presentations. Really good information.
Tom M. says
In the Sumter County portion of The Villages, the roads belong to Sumter County, not The Villages, The D.O.T. has a golf cart as going a maximum of 20 mph. Anything over that speed is an unregistered vehicle. Ignorance of the law??? There should be a law that if a dealer soups up the cart to go over 20 mph, they should be prosecuted.
Rosemary May says
This to Hal K especially.
Your first comment has nothing to do with anything. Driving a cart is still a ,privilege here in The Villages and that right can be taken away at anytime because of people like you who don’t like rules. In any event, I’m having seat belts installed for added safety for me and my passengers.
By the way, I know you don’t care, but you can have your cart speed checked at the Sheriff’s Office on 466. It’s posted in the Daily Sun from time to time when they have this free service.
JACK JANSSEN says
Last year, a neighbor of mine was clocked doing 21 MPH on Canal street.
He was cited. He showed up at court in dress shorts and a short sleeve
golf shirt. He was sent home to change clothes and return ( a 1 1/2 hour
turnaround). He was still fined for the $253 court costs. He did not tell me about any $50 money order, or about the criminal record part. I don’t know if he had that also—or if they have added this stuff on since his incident. This really stinks—it’s not fair or right by any stretch of the imagination. Something needs to be done to change this.
Linda Gibb says
I think 20 mph. is fine. My concern here is the required dress code to appear in traffic court. I don’t even own long pants! I only wear shorts around my house but in public I wear capri pants everywhere. You mean to tell me I’d have to go & buy a pair of long pants to appear in traffic court???
Do they let you know in advance what is expected of you or do they let you go all the way to Bushnell & send you away till you get some long pants? Doesn’t matter to me cause I seldom go in the golf cart due to my many allergies but am concerned for others that may be in the same boat as I.
Why can’t the fine be paid at the local sheriff’s office?
Ryan Erisman says
Posed the “Diamond Lane” question to my friend Paul Emberger of CartingTheVillages.com and here is his reply:
I have not gotten a definitive answer to that question but I will try again. However, there are two issues that effect that maneuver in my understanding. Remember that I am not a lawyer.
1. Carts are expected to go over the line dividing the diamond lane from the main traffic lane when making a left turn.Cart drivers are expected to use appropriate caution when making a lane change and to signal that intention with hand and automatic turn signals. They are also allowed to cross the line when a parked vehicle blocks the diamond lane.
2. The related issue is speed. Carts are not permitted to exceed 20 mph. Period! So unless you are passing a cart going well under that speed you will certainly call attention to yourself and if you are speeding that is definitely against the law.
Mostly the issue is common sense and a regard for yours and other’s safety.
I will inquire again from the police to see if I can get a definitive answer but I suspect it will be similar to what I said above.
Paul
Allan Reid says
This post is particularly for Ryan but might eventually be of great service to all Villagers. RFM brought up a facinating point that perhaps a golf car even moving out into the traffic lane to pass a golf car in the diamond lane might be considered illegal to begin with, regardless of the speed in mph. Sure does make sense legally anyway since a solid line does indicate a no passing zone. Ryan, maybe you could attempt a follow-up and use your contacts to get the definitive answer on this issue. By saving your readers $ in avoiding violations, we’ll have more bucks to spend on your excellent publications…or more 2-for-1 happy hour beverages (not before driving of course). It’s all good.
Rosemary May says
Since when is common sense “fear mongering”? Driving golf carts in The Villages is a privilege, not a right. The 20 MPH rule is common sense. Golf carts tip over very easily if driven over 20 MPH. Let’s grow up and play by the rules so everyone can enjoy this privilege and everyone can feel and be a little safer.
HalK says
Privilege vs right? Not sure I know the difference. Do I have a right to breath the air? Or is that a privilege too?
Golf carts tip over beyond 20? Maybe even 18 mph. That’s the “fear mongering”. We all need to take a little responsibility. Driving a Smart car in traffic down I-75 at 70 MPH isn’t particularly safe either (although you’ll see them going 80). But I guess that’s a right, or is it a privilege?
My point was that I bought a golf cart and I haven’t modified it. I feel it goes over 20. But who knows. I really don’t care. Driving safety isn’t simply a number. With a clear path in front of me, 20 or 22 makes little difference.
Most importantly, it’s all about money. A citation generates a lot of revenue, and if they can convince some to license for Street Legal all the better.
HalK says
Wow, I’m amazed you promote this fear mongering. Honestly, I think my cart goes over 20 mph but I don’t actually know. A couple miles either way seems immaterial. Don’t they give you about 10 mph in a car? I don’t get it. Growing up I rode a bike without a helmet, then rode in cars without seat beats or headrest. What’s happen to us?
Let me say, if I ever get a citation, $500 fine, and criminal record, I’m selling and moving out of Florida. Unless of course, the NSA police state has completely taken over.
RFM says
I know that this question falls under the category of “duh,” but every time I get passed in the diamond lane I re-wonder about the legality of passing a golf cart on the street and in the diamond lanes. Unless “street legal,” or making a left turn, or for some other reason necessitating moving into the traffic lane, I wonder if we common golf cars are permitted outside the diamond lane? The line along the lane is solid white and could indicate that passing is not allowed, and even so, we are not authorized to be outside our golf cart lane in any case? I keep meaning to ask a deputy when I see one, but I have not had that opportunity…
Thank you,
RFM
Rosemary May says
I totally agree with the law and I think the person who got stopped and fined got what he or she deserves. 30 miles per hour is way too fast for the golf cart lanes. I get so annoyed when I’m driving my golf cart at the legal 20 mile per hour speed limit and these speed demons with their souped up carts pass me at breakneck speeds. What’s the hurry? Why should they endanger my life and my passenger’s life because they’re so impatient. Leave on the early side and you won’t have to speed.
Dave says
We have 2 carts and both are governed at 20 mph. would not want to tell you how many times we are passed by carts that are going a lot faster than that. Have seen carts taking curves that it looks like the cart is ready to lay over on it’s side. Most of the cart accidents are speed related, the fact we are going 20mph is more than the cart is designed to do. After all JJ, as you said, we are retired. What the is the hurry!
JACK JANSSEN says
I fully appreciate the fact that we need laws and safety practices for our protection. There is however a limit to this. I believe that this is an example of BIG BROTHER going WAY WAY over the line—in the name of safety for our sake.
The Villages set their golf carts at 18.5 to to ensure that the carts are for sure unable to exceed the 20 MPH limit.
This hard line on the speed is absolutely ridiculous. There needs to be limits—but 20 MPH is nothing but a politically set limit, all under the guise of safety.
There should be a cautionary area of speed from 20 to 25. You go above 25—OK—then you get the hammer. But from 20 to 25 should just be listed as a misdemeanor and a warning citation given. The people of Sumter county needs to rise up and stop this crazy heavy handed power hungry administration.
We are retired and all we want is to enjoy our remaining years on this earth. We don’t litter, we don’t steal, we don’t harm others, we have the highest level of courtesy and politeness. But we are given the boot of government for doing greater then 20 MPH on a golf cart.
How completely stupid and ridiculous this has become.
J.J. JANSSEN
Allan Reid says
Thanks for sharing this story and thanks also to the guy who shared his criminal activity for the benefit of all of us. Well stated conclusion. If 20 mph isn’t fast enough…take the car. On a recent trip in from the Orlando airport aboard the Villages excellent shuttle service, I overheard a guy giving out names and phone numbers for mechanics who will tinker with the golf cars so they can exceed the 20 mph limit for a fee. Several people on the shuttle, (the big bus) were happily taking down the info. All men…big surprise. Hope they read this in time. That’s a pretty hefty dollar cost for just a few extra mph. And a criminal record to boot!