Golf carts and YOU

[Bluznbeach]

I have no problem with any street legal vehicle, but to drive a golf cart down 30A is clearly inappropriate. We've had this problem in Inlet Beach for years, because a few folks let their early teen or even pre-teen kids drive carts there, and they're a danger to everybody else.

 

[bdub]

I have no problem with any street legal vehicle, but to drive a golf cart down 30A is clearly inappropriate. We've had this problem in Inlet Beach for years, because a few folks let their early teen or even pre-teen kids drive carts there, and they're a danger to everybody else.

Here's the thing: My NEV looks like a golf cart. But it has been modified to meet all state and federal regulations. It does not have a place for golf bags, but the rear seat folds down so that you can carry groceries (or a cooler over to the beach).

The key to knowing whether someone is "street legal" ... just look to see if they have a tag. If the cart has a tag, it has been modified to operate as a street legal NEV.

 

[30ABandMan]

Here's the thing: My NEV looks like a golf cart. But it has been modified to meet all state and federal regulations. It does not have a place for golf bags, but the rear seat folds down so that you can carry groceries (or a cooler over to the beach).

The key to knowing whether someone is "street legal" ... just look to see if they have a tag. If the cart has a tag, it has been modified to to operate as a street legal NEV.

What's not legal is all of the riders I see not wearing seatbelts, this includes kids sitting facing the rear, and kids driving the dang things. There is a posted county ordinance against them and being on the mult-use path. It has just gotten a whole ridiculous feel to it around here, almost like being at a camp ground.


I love the fact that this place is a pedestrian/biker community, I'm not for the golf carts at all. I know I'll have to learn to accept them but I think they take away from the atmosphere a bit.

 

[bdub]

What's not legal is all of the riders I see not wearing seatbelts, this includes kids sitting facing the rear, and kids driving the dang things. There is a posted county ordinance against them and being on the mult-use path. It has just gotten a whole ridiculous feel to it around here, almost like being at a camp ground.


I love the fact that this place is a pedestrian/biker community, I'm not for the golf carts at all. I know I'll have to learn to accept them but I think they take away from the atmosphere a bit.

I agree. People should wear seat belts --- and stay off the bike paths (I never use them). It goes without saying that you need to be a licensed driver to operate any street legal vehicle.

But, being a fair-minded individual, I am sure you would not lop those of us who are playing by the rules in with those who do not.

The NEV is a new idea -- but an idea with great merit. Why do you need a full-blown SUV to run errands in your immediate neighborhood? Clean ... green ... and for the moment, a heckuva tax break.

 

[Everytime]

I have no issue with the street legal electric vehicles, GEM Cars, etc., but the golf carts are the problem, not just because they travel so much slower, but because they are not as visible due to not being designed for street traffic usage. Some people driving them tend to take an extreme version of the pedestrian/cyclist right-of-way mentality that all automobiles must yield to their golf carts in any situation and the golf cart can then drive out into traffic crossing the street obliviously and at will just as a a child may do while riding a bike. I was behind one of the overloaded ones on Eastern Lake Road once, driving patiently behind it at about 8 - 10 mph, and the dad pulled it over to drop off or pick up some more kids, and a pre-teenish girl on the back seat, facing rearward, started pointing and yelling at me when I proceeded to pass the golf cart.

 

[scooterbug44]

Driving a vehicle whose maximum speed is 15-25 mph below the posted speed limit is not safe.

I appreciate that you want to not take your SUV to run errands and are trying to be more earth friendly, but 30-A is a HIGHWAY and has a speed limit of 45 mph in many places.

I love to see people using street legal golf carts WITHIN their communities instead of driving cars, but 30-A is the main road serving our community and needs to be treated as such.

 

[Beach Runner]

Scooty, I was wondering how someone in Watersound would get to Seaside on a golf cart. I believe the speed limit is over 35 between for a small stretch between Watersound and Lakewood Drive unless it has changed lately. Ditto for going from Seagrove/Seaside/Watercolor to Grayton or from Grayton to Blue Mountain/Gulf Place/Dune Allen.

 

[scooterbug44]

There is a time and place for golf carts, and bee-bopping down 30-A at half speed causing traffic problems is not it. You can't drive a golf cart (even a "streetlegal" one) between the places you mentioned w/o going significantly slower than the speed limit.

If someone wants a small, high MPG vehicle to run errands on 30-A, I suggest a Smart car or another similiar CAR!

"Roadways where the speed is 35 mph or lower" - stick to those and it won't be a problem.

 

[30ABandMan]

Some people driving them tend to take an extreme version of the pedestrian/cyclist right-of-way mentality that all automobiles must yield to their golf carts in any situation and the golf cart can then drive out into traffic crossing the street obliviously and at will just as a a child may do while riding a bike.

Yep...

 

[Everytime]

I thought GEM Cars could go 35 mph, but I checked their website, and it's 25 mph; that being said, there are a few areas of 30-A that are 45 mph, so it could be the case that GEM Cars do not need to be on 30-A.