A Florida tree removal bill is causing some concerns in the Villages, with some pointing to a recent golf cart accident as an example of the harm it could cause.
The legislation would ban local governments from requiring property owners to get permission before removing trees, so long as the owner obtains some basic documentation showing that the tree poses a danger. The state legislature has already passed the measure, which is waiting for signature from Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The proposal has drawn criticism in the Villages, where residents currently are required to obtain Architectural Review Committee approval before removing trees. Villagers whose homes are within the boundaries of the Town of Lady Lake also have to get a permit from the town.
Opponents point to a recent accident in which a woman driving a golf cart in the Villages was seriously injured after the vehicle ran into a tree removal rope that had been stretched across the road. The 89-year-old woman’s cart was knocked over in the collision
The property owner and the tree removal company had not obtained the necessary permit from Lady Lake, according to Villages-News. The company’s owner told the paper that he had stopped traffic to set up the rope and that the accident happened because the golf cart driver “wasn’t paying attention.”
Meanwhile, the paper’s editorial board has come out against the legislation. It said the measure would remove local control from what should be a community matter.
Golf Cart Safety Tips
The accident involving the tree removal rope is yet another reminder of the safety hazards that can come with getting behind the wheel of a golf cart. That is especially true throughout Florida and in places like the Villages, where golf carts are a common mode of transportation.
Fortunately, there are some basic steps that golf cart drivers can take to enhance their own safety and that of others in the cart and on the road. That includes obeying traffic laws, maintaining safe speeds, using hand signals when turning and yielding to oncoming traffic. It also means equipping your cart with seat belts and making sure that you use them.
Florida golf cart owners are also well advised to obtain insurance for their vehicles.
Speak With a Villages Golf Cart Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one has been injured in a golf cart accident, you have the legal right to seek compensation from those responsible for the collision. An experienced Villages golf cart accident attorney can help you explore your rights and options based on your personal circumstances and build the strongest possible case for compensation.
Villages golf cart accident attorney Tim Babiarz has been representing people involved in collisions for more than 20 years. Our office is conveniently located in the Villages, where we are proud represent clients in Ocala, Leesburg, Lady Lake, Wildwood, Summerfield and beyond. Call (352) 205-7599 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.
