I love the idea of legal golf carts as
transportation around the quaint villages of Ozona and Crystal Beach and
neighboring Palm Harbor:
especially the tricked out ones during the holidays - lights, tinsel, disco
balls, music. I’ve even seen grade schoolers learning how to drive on ‘em. Roll
up to the convenience store, the bank drive-through with your canine wing man
by your side, down to your neighbors for a party, cruise out for dinner &
music. Oops. Watch out if you’re impaired.
As a criminal defense attorney living and working in this area, I wonder if folks know the legal dangers. Under Florida law, a golf cart counts as a
“motor vehicle” to qualify for a DUI- “…any… vehicle operated on the roads of this state, used
to transport persons or property, and propelled by power other than muscular
power…”. A separate definition for golf cart spells it out: “ ‘Golf cart’ means
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”. Florida
Statute §320.01.
So enjoy our unique and wonderful corner
of Pinellas County. But get a designated “caddy” to drive if you’re impaired.
