Islanders sound off on new golf cart rules

CLICK HERE TO TELL LEE COUNTY WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THE PROPOSED GOLF CART ORDINANCE
The following are emails sent to Lee County Department of Transportation’s Steve Jansen concerning proposed changes to the county’s ordinance regulating the operation of golf carts on public streets.

The proposed changes to the Lee County ordinance on golf carts include requiring all drivers of golf carts to be 16 years of age and hold a valid driver’s license, that the number of occupants in the cart is restricted to the number of seats, no one is allowed to stand in the cart at any time while it is moving, and all laws applying to secured child safety seats in passenger vehicles will also apply to golf carts.

The ordinance changes also require all golf cart drivers to hold liability insurance.

While all golf carts may operate during daylight hours provided they have proper brakes, reliable steering, safe tires, a rearview mirror and red reflectors on both the front and the rear of the cart, only carts equipped with headlights, brake lights, turn signals and windshields will be allowed to use county roadways at night.
This ordinance is only applicable to Lee County’s island roadways. It does not apply to the Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association path.

The emails published here were sent to Jansen, Lee County Commissioner Bob Janes and were carboned to the Boca Beacon:

GOLF CARTS ARE A WAY OF LIFE
I apologize if you are suddenly receiving opinions on a topic that you thought was no longer an issue. It seems to me that many islanders were busy during the tourist season with their businesses. Many people were unaware of the measures that you are considering regarding new golf carts rules.

I think that the fact that it is now on the headlines, and we have a chance to respond, you will find that golf carts on Boca Grande are a different issue than the bigger and busier islands. Golf carts are a way of life here.

A way that people get to and from work, school, recreation and worship.
Considering the costs of gas and the congestion in the downtown area during the busy weeks, we would be doing a great disservice to our community by limiting an inexpensive, efficient and safe mode of transportation. We would like to see the reasons for the suggested changes as pertain to our island.

Do children really fall off? I’ve never heard of such a thing. It would be a terrible inconvenience to move car seats to golf carts. They also only go around 14 miles per hour, so seat belts?

Our family has been using golf carts for transportation for over ten years and I am happy to say that no one has ever been hurt. Are these rules necessary?

I sat outside the Pink Pony last weekend and watched as a father carefully loaded five sandy children enjoying their ice creams onto a golf cart.

Three big children on the back, and two little ones in front, right next to him.

He cautiously pulled out and went on his merry way. Just envision how he will respond when he returns to vacation next year and discovers this joyful memory cannot happen again! Not of Boca Grande, he’ll just find somewhere more fun, convenient and less intrusive to vacation!
Please do not attempt to pass this law without proper discourse.
Ann Roman
Boca Grande

WHY ISN’T CURRENT LAW ENFORCED?
My entire family is totally opposed to the proposed golf cart ruling. I would ask the deputies why they have not enforced the rules we have, instead of making new ones.

I don’t hear the public outcry for change, so why go further?

If the people of Sanibel want it that is fine, but the people of Boca Grande do not support this ordinance.
Philip, Mary and Parker O’Bannon
Boca Grande

LET PARENTS DECIDE
I am concerned about kids driving golf carts. I don’t want to see them lose this privilege.

Boca Grande is a unique place, and the freedom to move around the island on electric golf carts via the bike path is a large part of the special relationship families have with the community.

Kids in particular often find their first hint of freedom and responsibility by taking a cart ride into town for an afternoon ice cream treat.

Over the past 25 plus years, I cannot recall a single accident caused by a kid on a cart. I can recall several that involved adults. Playing the “safety” card to justify keeping the kids off the carts just makes no sense.

We can always make a case for what “might” happen or “could” happen.

I will grant that there have been times where I have seen young kids driving a little reckless, having a little too much fun and not paying quite enough attention. In each case I’ve seen adults, not necessarily their parents, catch their attention and remind them to be safe. The wide-eyed ones would then tone it down in fear of losing the driving freedom or the thought of someone telling a parent. Sometimes a village really can help raise a child, and this village has proved over the years that it will help.

Which brings me to the real point on this comment.

Parental responsibility is the issue here. Parents are capable of deciding whether their child is responsible enough to drive a golf cart on the bike path much better than the government.

My personal opinion is that any age kid a parent deems responsible should be able to drive a cart on the bike path as long as a parent is seated next to them. Kids between the age of 10 and 15 should have the freedom to drive on their own on the bike path. If someone is caught acting in an unsafe manner, call the parent or write the kid a ticket that would require some community service. Have them pull some weeds or clean something for a day to learn a lesson.

Lets let kids be kids and enjoy island life, not try to regulate ourselves into boredom.
Capt. Sandy Melvin
Island Businessman

LET’S NOT COMPLICATE THINGS
Leave the rules alone. Seat belts in golf carts is the dumbest thing I ever heard of.

I feel that golf carts require a licensed driver. This eliminates the idea that golf carts are not go-carts or toys. Boca Grande in not a race track.

Seating for most regular size carts depends on personal comfort, approximately five. Child restraint seats or seat belts should not be required. There is no one more protective of their children then parents. Let it be their decision.

Too many requirements will force people to use their cars.

Many years ago the use of county streets to get to the golf cart path was legalized.
Boca Grande equals easy living, let’s not complicate it.
Beverly M. Furtado
Boca Grande

RECONSIDER THE ORDINANCE
My husband and I purchased a home in Boca Grande last year. It is a wonderful island and has many amenities but part of the charm for us is the use of golf carts.

We have a 14-year-old son who drives the cart as well and safely as any adult. Most of the island has paths but even without these, he is a safe driver.

We certainly wouldn’t allow him to drive if we felt it was unsafe to do so. 14-year-olds are in high school. I don’t believe they should be treated like a 10-year-old. We are definitely against changing this law. If you want to insure safe driving, give them a test.

From my experience however, 16- year-olds tend to be much more reckless. What are you going to do about them? I agree younger children should not be driving, but don’t penalize everyone for a few irresponsible adults that allow their children to do whatever.

Also, don’t penalize Boca Grande island. There are no busy roads that interfere with golf carts. Please reconsider this ordinance. Will the next law restrict cell phone use for adults on golf carts? Or maybe, adults over 70 can’t drive a cart?

Of the worse wrecks I’m aware of involving carts, they have mostly been adults with a few too many cocktails in them. This is just another bit of “Big Brother” we simply don’t need.
Karen Katchur
Boca Grande

NO CHANGE NEEDED
We do not need to change the rules for golf carts. This is another example of our politicians attempting to increase taxes on everything we do. Bet the insurance industry is licking their chops just waiting for golf cart owners to have to insure them. And then to have to add seat belts to them! Please leave us alone!
Barbara Taylor
Boca Grande

DON’T SOLVE PROBLEMS THAT DON’T EXIST
In reference to the proposed increased restrictions on golf cart use on Boca Grande, I find it incredible you insist on attacking a problem that doesn’t exist.

I have neither seen nor heard of any significant issues with golf carts on the island.

Additionally, there are plenty of laws on the books addressing every potential issue that could potentially arise. This appears to be a law specifically designed to permit law enforcement officials to harass residents and visitors alike. A large part of Boca Grande’s appeal is the casual atmosphere and that is enhanced by the ability to use golf carts instead of cars. It makes us unique when compared to Naples or Sarasota. You should be promoting their use instead of restricting them.

Tourists renting golf carts contribute to the downtown economy. Use of golf carts reduces demand for gasoline and reduces pollution.

Golf carts take up far less precious parking space in the downtown area. In summary they are a great benefit, not a detriment.

In regards to the proposed safety restrictions, get a life! How ridiculous is it for you to require seat belts on a golf cart! I presume you are also going to require all golf courses in Lee County to install and enforce seat belt use on their golf courses. An intoxicated golfer might fall out. Surely they can benefit from your “protection” as well.
Dave Taylor
Boca Grande

HOW LEGAL IS PROPOSED ORDINANCE
In your article April 25, you requested copies of emails sent regarding the golf cart ordinance. Unfortunately I did not have this saved on my computer, but you got a copy directly, and I had sent the original to Steve Jansen.

Mr. Campbell says “Hoopes was the only Boca Grande resident to email …” What happened to those sent to Steve Jansen?

Following your printing of mine, I received at least 10 phone calls from others (many of whom I did not know) complimenting me on my views. I think your poll says it all, but unfortunately what goes to the Beacon seems to have no effect on the county.

I wonder how legal some of the restrictions to be imposed in fact are. Those 14-year-olds who now are allowed to operate golf carts will have their rights withdrawn; carts which were bought years ago will have to undergo expensive retrofits; seniors, who for whatever reason no longer drive their cars but are legally allowed to do so, will have their rights taken away.

When the government imposed pollution restrictions and seat belt requirements on cars years ago, the existing cars were exempted (no ex post facto), and only new ones were required to meet the new rules.

When states changed the drinking age (New York for example) from 18 to 21, those who were already 18 and allowed to buy alcohol were allowed to do so since the new law would only take effect on those yet to become 18. Again no retroactivity. Is this not a fundamental right?

Thanks for your continuing efforts to represent the views of Boca Grande residents.
Peter Scott-Hansen
Boca Grande

DON’T CHANGE THE RULES
Don’t change rules regarding golf carts, use more effective posting on roads and the bike paths, remind cart renters and real estate renters to post golf cart rules and limit golf cart speeds to 15 mph.
Jane Schlegel
Boca Grande

NO MORE REGULATIONS
Please no more regulations or ordinances. We are regulated to death already. For the most part, everything works just fine most of the time. Leave things as they are.
E. Elliot
Boca Grande