Golf Cart and Low-Speed Vehicle Safety

Posted on 05/10/2023 by Traffic Safety Team

Golf Cart and Low-Speed Vehicle Safety has been an ongoing and increasing concern in FDOT District Two. These lower-speed vehicles are seen throughout Northeast Florida golf cart neighborhoods and RV resorts. Children are particularly vulnerable and more often injured in golf cart accidents than adults. These injuries include life-altering head, neck, or spine trauma. Compounding the issue, golf carts lack the safety features and protection that regular cars have.

New Florida Law Restricts Teen Golf Cart Drivers

In recent news, the age to drive a golf cart will increase in Florida. Governor DeSantis signed the new bill tightening restrictions for teens driving golf carts on May 11, 2023. It goes into effect on October 1, 2023. Representative Cyndi Stevenson, who represents parts of St. Johns, filed the HB 949 legislation, which The Florida Sheriff’s Association supported.

“As we adopt new options for mobility, safety regulations will also have to evolve,” Stevenson previously told First Coast News. “We are seeing more people in the ER with serious avoidable injuries. This bill is a common-sense way to reduce pain, suffering, trips to the ER, and even loss of life.”

In the new law, a golf cart may not be operated on public roads or streets by a person under 18 years of age unless they possess a valid learner’s driver license or valid driver license. This means a 15-year-old with a learner’s permit may drive a golf cart. Anyone who is 18 or older unless they possess a valid form of government-issued photographic identification. This violation of the law would include a noncriminal traffic infraction, similar to moving violations.

Reference Materials for the Golf Cart and Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV) Safety Discussion

*Golf Cart and Low-Speed Vehicle Safety Brochure by St Johns County Sheriff’s Office*

FLHSMV Guide to Owning Low-Speed Vehicles — *FLHSMV Guide to Owning a Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV)*

*Safe Mobility for Life brochure about golf carts and low-speed vehicles in Florida*

Safety Concerns and Studies:

American Academy of Pediatrics: More than 6,500 Children Injured by Golf Carts Each Year
NIH PubMed: Analysis of death and disability due to golf cart crashes in The Villages, Florida: 2011-2019
JPMA Statement Against Use of Car Seats and Belt-Positioning Booster Seats in Golf Carts
National Safety Council: Study finds golf cart-related injuries are common
Delray Beach, Florida: Golf cart injuries among children on the rise

Local Guidelines, County Ordinances, Florida Law, and National Education:

Summary of Florida Legislation statutes regarding golf carts and low-speed vehicles
Duval County Ordinance setting standards and procedures for approval and designation of public rights-of-way for use by golf carts
St Johns County Ordinance 2018-42 Relating to the Operation of Golf Carts, Low-Speed Vehicles, and Mini Trucks on County Roads and Sidewalks
Taylor County Ordinance Regarding Golf Cart Use on Public Roadways
Nassau County Ordinance 2008-17 Designating Certain Roads Upon which a Golf Cart may be Operated, and Registration Form
Town of Hilliard, Nassau County Ordinance 2021-10 to Permit the use of Golf Carts on Roads within the Town Limits
U.S. DOT’s 2012 Report to Congress: Operation of Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs) on Roadways with a Maximum Speed Limit of 40 mph (64 kph): Fuel Consumption Savings and Safety Ramifications
FLHSMV Consumer Education: Low Speed Vehicles
Nocatee, Ponte Vedra, Florida: Electric Vehicle Paths, Rules, and Key Points of St. Johns County and Duval County Ordinances

Rural RV Community Policies and Information Regarding Golf Cart Rules

IIHS/HLDI Low-Speed Vehicle Crash Tests

FLHSMV’s Guide to Owning LSVs

First Coast News: Should golf cart communities toughen their rules?

Golf Carts and LSVs in the News

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety: Low-speed vehicles and minitrucks shouldn’t share busy public roads with regular traffic
WCJB, Alachua County, High Springs passes ordinance limiting golf cart use to city streets
St Johns, First Coast News, 02/20/23: ‘More people in the ER with serious, avoidable injuries.‘ Proposed bill could raise the age of golf cart drivers in Florida
Levy County Citizen, 04/27/2023: Williston- City council approves golf cart use
Levy County, City of Williston, 03/25/2023: Golf Cart Ordinances for Williston Clear First Hurdle, but Can Vehicles Cross Federal, State Highways?
Levy County, City of Chiefland, 02/16/2023: Chiefland Gives Preliminary Approval for Golf Carts on City Streets; Squad Truck Request Okayed
Nocatee, Action News Jax, 01/12/22: St. Johns County deputies crack down on golf cart safety
New Port Richey, Suncoast News, 03/29/23: Golf carts now legal on parts of Marine Parkway and Grand Boulevard
Tampa, Fox 13 News, 08/12/22: Golf carts now allowed on downtown Tampa streets; rentals available
News 4 Jax, 09/18/2019: Nocatee meeting focuses on golf cart safety. Meeting comes after teens hurt in falls from golf carts in St. Johns County
Jax Daily Record, Duval County, Jacksonville 06/08/2018: Golf carts may soon be legal on city roads
Jax Daily Record, 06/09/2017: Golf carts get go-ahead in all of Nocatee

Traffic Safety Talk Newsletter

Posted on 04/03/2023 by Traffic Safety Team

Welcome to our Traffic Safety Talk newsletter – the FDOT District Two Community Traffic Safety Program (CTSP) news and information update. Each issue includes recent projects, community outreach events, and safety campaigns. We discuss Traffic Safety Team materials and resources available for members. Additionally, we highlight a Traffic Safety Team “Champion” from Northeast Florida.

Digital flipbooks of the most recent newsletters are available. We have included the PDF documents below for you to review and download current and past editions.

Current Traffic Safety Talk News Update • April 2023:

Click here for the new Traffic Safety Talk – April 2023 PDF file.

In this most recent issue, various topics and projects are highlighted. They include:

CTSP plays a critical role in community engagement.
Safety Lane: Districtwide discussions new in 2023.
Upcoming CTST meetings.
Traffic Safety Champions since 1994 – new video released for National Volunteer Week.
Elizabeth De Jesus is a Traffic Safety CHAMPION!
Highlighting engineering concerns solved in District 2.
Buckle Up Materials Available for Click It or Ticket!
Spring mocktail recipes for Cinco De Mayo and Memorial Day holidays.
New traffic safety activity books and bookmarks are coming soon!

Previous Edition • February 2023:

The previous issue released in February included:

Recognizing team members, engineering concerns, and outreach in 2023.
Upcoming CTST meetings.
January was Florida’s Move Over awareness month.
Can you believe it’s been 25 years of “Recipes for the Road”?
Mocktail recipes trending in the New Year.
Working with local libraries for over 20 years!
Occupant protection and child passenger safety remain a priority.
Walt Duffany is a Traffic Safety CHAMPION!

December 2022 Edition:

Staying Positive and Engaged

The landscape of the FDOT District Two CTSP has changed over recent years, with meetings and events held virtually. However, we continue to expand awareness of traffic safety issues and solve local traffic safety concerns throughout our 18-county district in Northeast Florida.

Our focus is reducing crashes, injuries, and fatalities on our roadways as we move toward the goal of Target Zero. CTSP does this through the 4 E’s and more of traffic safety, which includes: engineering, education, enforcement, and emergency medical services. We connect with team members and community partners throughout the year to share important traffic safety information, resources, and strategies.

Traffic Safety Talk Newsletter PDF files:

Critical Role in Community Engagement

Posted on 03/21/2023 by Traffic Safety Team

“Bringing you home safely” has been the District Two Community Traffic Safety Program tagline for 26 years. It continues to be our motto and supports our belief that we are ground zero for Target Zero! Our Traffic Safety Teams play a critical role in community engagement throughout Northeast Florida.

FDOT Secretary, Jared Perdue, stated in his Oct 28, 2022, speech at the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Annual Meeting in Orlando, “Communities are our number one priority. Our theme (FDOT) must be community-centric as we are working towards the future.” The Community Traffic Safety Program plays a critical role in the Department’s future and connection to our local communities and our commitment to safety and Target Zero.

Take a moment to hear Perdue’s community engagement remarks in the video below.

“How do we, as state DOTs, continue to deliver infrastructure and be successful? It is about connecting the dots between what we do to every community we serve,” he explained.

“They desire this engagement, even for something as simple as resurfacing roads,” Perdue pointed out. “If we build coalitions of local support around them, we’ll see the fruits of that labor. We’re also challenging our employees to re-engage with the communities where they live and work, where they reside with friends and families; not just serving them but working more in partnership with them.”

Community Must be Priority Number One

You can learn more about the critical role of community engagement. The history of Northeast Florida’s Community Traffic Safety Teams began in 1994 and has been active ever since. Our members are involved in finding and solving engineering and roadway issues locally. Click here to submit a traffic safety concern. Below is a link to view Perdue’s entire speech and article by the AASHTO Journal.

Pedestrian and Bicyclist Safety Tips

Posted on 03/06/2023 by Traffic Safety Team

Florida’s weather may be unpredictable, but it offers many great opportunities to get outside. Residents, snowbirds, and vacationers enjoy riding their bikes and walking. Your Community Traffic Safety Team wants everyone to stay safe by following these pedestrian and bicyclist safety tips!

*Wear bright colors. Increase your visibility and use bike lights/reflectors.*

With so many people heading outdoors for a bike ride, motorists – please ALWAYS WATCH for bicyclists on the road. Bicyclists, wear bright colors or reflective gear, so you are visible.

*See and be seen. Make eye contact with drivers when crossing streets.*

Walking is great for your health and environment! Lace-up and get moving, but be sure to SEE and BE SEEN. Make eye contact with drivers. Drivers, please look in all directions for people on foot!

bike safety tip — *Be predictable. Use sidewalks where provided. Cross streets where it is legal to do so.*

It’s essential when riding your bicycle to be predictable. Use sidewalks and cross where it is legal. Motorists are to give three feet by law when following or passing cyclists.

*Stop! Look left, right, and left for traffic.*

Walking is a great way to get fresh air and exercise. Remember to look left, right, and left again for traffic. Motorists, please drive with care and share the road.

*Walk defensively. Be prepared for the unexpected.*

Pedestrians should walk defensively and be prepared for the unexpected. Drivers, please remember to focus on driving and eliminate distractions; phones down, eyes up!

*Be careful in parking lots. They can be more hazardous than streets!*

Be careful in busy parking lots – these areas can be more dangerous than streets! Drivers must proceed with caution and be on the lookout for pedestrians.

WALKING AND BIKING DEFENSIVELY

Walking and bike riding are great ways to stay active and healthy. Exercising is also a great tool for people of all ages and improves driving skills, especially older drivers. To learn more, check out our Defensive Driving Tools.

Exercise/Fitness Benefits:

Enhances mobility, flexibility, and balance
- Helps maintain or lose weight
- Reduces impact of illness and chronic disease
- Helps with better sleep and more energy
- Improves mood and self-confidence
- Boosts cognitive function

Click here for more great pedestrian safety tips for walkers and drivers.

Click here for important bicycle safety tips and resources for cyclists and motorists.

Traffic Safety Bookmarks

Posted on 02/14/2023 by Traffic Safety Team

Over 20 Years of Bookmarks!

The Northeast Florida Community Traffic Safety Program started developing relationships with local libraries and schools in 1999. Traffic safety tips for kids were shared primarily on bookmarks. This led to activity books, tip cards, and even schoolbook cover wraps. In 2017, we targeted messages toward drivers as well as for children on our bookmarks. In 2021, activity cards were created for libraries with bike, walk, ride, and drive safe education and puzzles like crosswords, mazes, word search, and coloring activities.

While book covers are no longer relevant in today’s digital world, we have seen continued popularity for our bookmarks. You can find traffic safety materials in bookmobiles and neighborhood branches throughout District Two’s 18 county libraries.

This year we will be showcasing a new look for bookmarks covering critical topics on occupant protection, pedestrian safety, bicycle safety, and school bus safety. Here’s a sneak peek.

Coming Soon to a Library Near You!

occupant protection traffic safety bookmark

Previous Traffic Safety Bookmarks

Check out all these cool bookmarks from the past. Feel free to print them out and make your own personal bookmark from these designs! To make a bookmark, print to fit on an 8.5×11 sheet of paper. Then cut around the artwork and fold it in half. They would also make excellent traffic safety tip cards to share.

2022 Double-Sided Activity Bookmarks

FDOT D2 CTSP Northeast Florida Traffic Safety Buckle UP Bookmark — *Occupant Protection*

FDOT D2 CTSP Northeast Florida Traffic Safety Pedestrian Bookmark — *Pedestrian Safety*

Northeast Florida Traffic Safety Share the Road Bike Bookmark — *Bicyclist Safety*

traffic safety school days — *School Bus Safety*

2019 Double-Sided Bookmarks

FDOT D2 CTSP Northeast Florida Traffic Safety Focus on Driving Bookmark — *Impaired / Distracted*

2018 Double-Sided Bookmarks

FDOTD2-Printable Occupant Protections Traffic Safety Bookmarks — *Occupant Protection*

FDOTD2-Printable Pedestrian Traffic Safety Bookmarks — *Pedestrian Safety*

FDOTD2-Printable Bike Traffic Safety Bookmarks — *Bicyclist Safety*

FDOTD2-Printable Traffic Safety Bookmarks — *Impaired / Distracted*

2017 Double-Sided Bookmarks

FDOT D2 CTST FL Traffic Safety Buckle Up Bookmark — *Occupant Protection*

FDOT D2 CTST FL Traffic Safety Pedestrian Bookmark — *Pedestrian Safety*

FDOT D2 CTST FL Traffic Safety Bicycle Bookmark — *Bicyclist Safety*

FDOT D2 CTST FL Traffic Safety Distracted and Impaired Bookmark — *Impaired / Distracted*

Blast from the Past Bookmarks

Walk Safe and Ride Safe Preteen traffic safety bookmarks — *Teen Walk/Ride Safe*

Amazing Safety Kids traffic safety bookmark — *Amazing Safety Kids*

Walk and Roll traffic safety bookmark — *Walk ‘n Roll Safely*

Walk and Wheel traffic safety bookmarks — *Elementary Children Wheel and Walk Safe*

Summer traffic safety rules bookmark — *Summertime Safety Rules for Kids*

traffic safety rules to and from school bookmark — *Safety Rules to and From School*

2021 Activity Cards

In addition to bookmarks, we developed a series of traffic safety activity cards. They were distributed to all the libraries in our 18-county district.

Ride Safe Activity Cards

Walk Safe Activity Card

Bike Safe Activity Card

Drive Safe Activity Cards