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

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

• Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park® Golf Cart Policy
• Madison, Florida: Ragans Family Campground Non-Licensed Motorized Vehicle Permit and Regulations

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