§ 118-111. Operational limitations.

(a)

Authorization. The county council authorizes the use of golf carts on those roads in the unincorporated area posted with appropriate county signs to indicate that such operation is allowed. The traffic engineer shall designate such roads pursuant to F.S. § 316.212(1) upon written petition of at least 51 percent of the residents of a self-contained neighborhood or at least 51 percent of the members of a homeowner's association. The petition will state whether the request to operate golf carts on public roads includes operation during the hours of sunset to sunrise. Upon receipt of the petition, the traffic engineer shall conduct a study to determine if golf carts may safely travel on or cross the public roads based on the speed, volume, and character of the vehicle traffic using the roads. The results of the study and finding of the traffic engineer shall be final and not appealable. A request from a mobile home park divided by a street or highway to designate a crossing shall be made in writing to the county pursuant to F.S. § 316.212(3), which will be reviewed by the traffic engineer. Golf carts may not be operated on trails. In no event shall this article authorize the operation of golf carts on roads or streets within the jurisdiction of the state or within the jurisdiction of any municipality.

(b)

Golf cart equipment. All golf carts operating pursuant to this article must be equipped with efficient brakes, reliable steering apparatus, safe tires, hip restraints or hand holds, or both, a rearview mirror and red reflective warning devices on both the front and rear. Golf carts that are operated during the hours of darkness are also required to have functioning headlights, brake lights, turn signals, a windshield, and reflective devices on the sides of the golf cart that could include reflective tape.

(c)

Age of driver. No person under the age of 16 may operate a golf cart.

(d)

Maximum occupancy. Golf carts may not carry more passengers than the maximum number for which the golf cart was designed. All passengers must be seated while the golf cart is in motion.

(e)

Operation. Any person operating a golf cart on any designated roadway does so at his/her own risk and must operate such vehicle with due regard for the safety and convenience of other vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians. Golf carts must be operated in compliance with all applicable local and state traffic and parking laws and the operator may be ticketed in the same manner as a motor vehicle operator under Florida law.

(f)

Penalties. Violation of this article is punishable as set forth in section 1-7 or as a noncriminal traffic infraction punishable as provided in F.S. § 316.212, pursuant to F.S. ch. 318.

(Ord. No. 2011-19, § I, 7-7-11)