Local officials in Orange County are considering allowing residents to hop on golf carts to get around their community.
The Orange County Board of County Commissioners has requested staff to compile more information so commissioners can mull a new ordinance making golf carts street legal, according to the Windermere Observer. That ordinance would allow people to use carts on county roadways where speed limits are no more than 30 or 25 miles per hour.
Florida law currently bans the use of golf carts on public roads, unless permitted by local law. In areas where carts are approved, they can only be used by people who are at least 14 years old and on roads properly marked for golf carts.
State law also allows golf carts to be within retirement communities, unless barred by local laws.
A number of communities within Orange County have made cart driving legal on public roads since 1994, according to the Observer. Orange County Traffic Engineer Humberto Castillero said at an April hearing that the county has not moved to lift limits on carts because of ongoing safety concerns.
The Basics of Golf Cart Safety
As golf carts become more common throughout Florida and across the country, it is important that drivers understand how to operate these vehicles in a safe way.
There are variety of basic safety precautions that golf cart drivers should undertake whenever they are behind the wheel. It begins with using a seatbelt. Many carts come equipped with seatbelts. Those that are not can easily be upgraded to include this important safety feature.
Some say that seatbelts can cause more harm than good by trapping people in a cart during a rollover crash. But golf cart drivers and passengers are much more likely to be injured or killed if they are thrown from the vehicle during a crash. Sidebars and canopies can also help protect people in the event of a rollover.
Avoiding high speeds and sharp turns are key to steering clear of collisions in the first place. So too is staying off of any roads where the posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour or higher.
How a Villages Golf Cart Accident Attorney Can Help You
If you or a loved one has been injured in a golf cart accident, Florida law gives you the right to seek compensation from those responsible. A golf cart accident attorney can help you pursue your legal options while you focus on your physical recuperation.
Villages golf cart accident attorney Tim Babiarz has been representing people involved in collisions for more than two decades. Our office is conveniently located in The Villages. Our firm is proud to fight for clients in Ocala, Leesburg, Lady Lake, Wildwood, Summerfield and beyond. Call (352) 205-7599 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
