New Florida golf cart law means changes for Brevard County teenagers, parents
For many teenagers in Brevard County, golf carts have become an ubiquitous mode of transportation, even preferable to driving a car. But it remains to be seen how a new law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis this past week will impact places like Viera where hundreds of students commute to and from school in golf carts each day. The golf cart has become embedded into the culture; Viera High's grass lot where golf carts are parked is often more packed than the parking lot itself.
Under the new restrictions, it's unclear if the hundreds of golf carts that pour out of Viera High each day will continue to be a staple as they have been for the past several years, as parents, the golf cart industry and local transportation officials monitor the new rules, slated to go into effect July 1.
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Keryn Sheppard, a mom whose teenager frequently hangs out at The Avenue, where it's not uncommon to see swarms of golf carts driven by teenagers on the sidewalks and even roads, said the golf carts have always been a concern. But she has mixed feelings about the law. "I've raised my kid to make good choices and I know who he spends time with," she said. "Sometimes a friend will drive him home in their golf cart. I'm not always crazy about it with the traffic and drivers, but I do think they're safe." Even with that knowledge, Sheppard said there's good reason to pass a law of this kind that would protect younger teens who may not have the maturity or judgment to navigate busy Brevard County streets and sidewalks. She knows that wrecks have claimed lives in the past.
Brevard County is no stranger to serious collisions involving golf carts. Deaths and major injuries have been reported for years, especially in Viera.
Two teenagers were seriously injured when they were struck by a car in Viera three years ago. Both had to be taken to hospitals, one to Arnold Palmer in Orlando, with grave injuries. In 2014, a Rockledge woman was killed when crossing Murrell Road in Viera in a golf cart. Others, both children and adults, have required hospitalization after being struck by vehicles when crossing busy Space Coast roads.
Exact numbers from Florida Highway Patrol were not available on how many golf cart-specific crashes there have been in Brevard County in recent years, especially those involving minor teens. But news reports show there have been multiple incidents around the county in the past decade, involving teenagers and young children, who are especially vulnerable in golf carts that are not enclosed. Golf cart drivers under 18 will now have to be at least 15 with a learner's permit or 16 with a driver's license to legally operate one. Drivers 18 and older will need valid government-issued identification.
Golf cart legislation bringing change
According to Florida statute, a golf cart is “a motor vehicle that is designed and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting or recreational purposes and that is not capable of exceeding speeds of 20 miles per hour.” Golf carts do not require insurance to operate.
Underage drivers who break the new law could face a noncriminal traffic violation, like a moving violation. State law enforcement agencies back the bill, citing the the increase of golf cart communities in the state.
Parents like Sheppard who may have reservations about the law, plan to make sure their teens heed it regardless. If anything, the new rules against teens driving golf carts have made her more aware of the risks.
"We don't really let him take our golf cart out without us anyway," she said. "But now I'm telling him not to ride with his friends. I don't want him to get in trouble or hurt."
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District 4 County Commissioner Rob Feltner, whose district includes Viera, said he has been watching the legislation closely and thinks the impact overall on public safety will be positive. "I think an increase in safety with golf carts, cars, ebikes, pedestrians will be a positive thing. A lot of people in Brevard believe if you're going to drive a golf cart, you need a learner's permit at least. By and large, people around here agree with that." Feltner said
"Viera and Suntree are golf cart communities. It'll be interesting to see how it plays out around the county," Feltner added. "I've been out there when school gets out and they're all leaving... It gets crazy. It's a lot of traffic."
Abby Hemenway, public information officer for the Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization, said the rule changes will make things more "streamlined," particularly by bringing consistency to the driving rules for cars and golf carts.
"Right now we're monitoring and waiting to hear from the Florida Department of Transportation on how we can better educate the public when this goes into effect," Hemenway said.
She also said it's important to note the difference between golf carts and what are considered low-speed vehicles. Low-speed vehicles are those that can drive faster than 20 mph but not faster than 25 mph and can be driven on roads with speed limits up to 35 mph. Golf carts, however, are those that cannot go faster than 25 mph and are limited to roads that cap out at 30 mph.
Low-speed vehicles already required a valid drivers license for operation along with title and registration, according to state law. The new rules will also increase consistency in that area.
Alex Salazar, owner at Golf Cart Center in Rockledge, said there will definitely be an impact on the golf cart culture locally as a result of the new law. The proliferation of golf carts, especially since the pandemic, is largely a result of their low maintenance and fuel costs and the sheer ease of travel they offer.“For parents, it’s very easy to put kids in a golf cart and ask them to run to the store or to the school,” Salazar said. “There are responsible younger teenagers out there who can handle being in a golf cart and there are some where you hear about the chaos.”“We’ve had golf carts come into us where younger teens were driving recklessly and they need to be repaired,” he added. Regardless of any new age restrictions, golf carts and the culture they’ve engendered around Brevard County, aren’t going anywhere, Salazar believes.Salazar said: “They’ve definitely become a way of life in Brevard County.”
Tyler Vazquez is the Brevard County and North Brevard Watchdog Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Vazquez at 321-917-7491 or tvazquez@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @tyler_vazquez
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Viera, Florida teens adjust to new golf cart law
