In many neighborhoods around the Sunshine State, residents enjoy the unfettered use of golf carts, visiting friends, running errands and saving gas. Witness the retirement haven of Sun City.
The advantages are considerable. Rechargeable, battery-powered carts spare the environment additional fossil fuel exhaust. Fewer cars crowd roadways.
With the federal government promoting energy alternatives to reduce the country’s reliance on oil, carts are a great option for short trips.
But Ellenton residents discovered that they cannot legally drive their carts along the wide sidewalks skirting U.S. 301. Florida law forbids golf carts on state roads, though with several exceptions. There is a cart crossing at 301 and Colony Club North/Coquina Drive.
State law allows carts on streets within private mobile- and manufactured-home neighborhoods like Colony Cove and Terra Siesta.
Counties can designate roads open to carts. Manatee County permits carts on more than 100 streets, most in golf-course communities.
Ellenton cart drivers only learned about the law over the summer when Manatee County sheriff’s deputies began notifying them with warnings instead of a ticket.
A violation comes with a hefty fine — more than $100 — and three points against a drivers license. The crackdown drove residents to park their carts and mount a campaign to change the law. We fully support that effort, as does the Manatee County Commission. Last week, commissioners pledged to put the issue on their legislative agenda.
The 8-foot wide sidewalks on both sides of U.S. 301 would appear tailor-made for carts, with plenty of space for bicyclists and pedestrians.
If the public safety of walkers is the primary issue behind the law, that could be addressed in ways other than an outright ban — by special sidewalk designs, striping and signage, for instance.
On the flip side of public safety, allowing carts on these sidewalks takes some residents out of their cars. Some senior citizens surrender their drivers licenses since they cannot operate a vehicle as safely as they once did. That’s a plus.
The convenience of a cart, the energy conservation and other environmental positives should compel legislators to rewrite the law.
We echo County Commissioner Ron Getman’s remark when discussing the issue with Ellenton residents: “Government is supposed to be for the people, so let’s be for the people and do what’s right.”
Here, here.
We encourage our region’s legislative delegation to push for a rewrite of the law restricting golf carts. And we encourage citizens to contact our representatives to lobby for this change.
Here’s how:
@BR Body bold Lede comma:Sen. Mike Bennett, 21st Senatorial District, Republican, (941) 727-6349; bennett.mike.web@flsenate.gov
Rep. Ron Reagan, District 67, Republican, (941) 727-6447, ron.reagan@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. Bill Galvano, District 68, Republican, (941) 708-4968, bill.galvano@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. Keith Fitzgerald, District 69, Democrat, (941) 955-8077, keith.fitzgerald@myfloridahouse.com
Rep. Darryl Rouson, District 55, Democrat, (727) 552-1370, darryl.rouson@myfloridahouse.com
Sen. Arthenia Joyner, 18th Senatorial District, Democrat, (813) 233-4277, joyner.arthenia.web@flsenate.gov
Sen. Nancy Detert, 23rd Senatorial District, Republican, (941) 480-3547, detert.nancy.web@flsenate.gov
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