So, 13 and 14 yr. olds driving golf carts, alone, is okay?

Main Stream's picture

I just spoke with one of my kids' friend, who is 14 years old, and she routinely drives the family golf cart around by herself or with her girlfriends "just for fun." I asked her if her parents knew that she did this and she said "yes" and I asked her if they were okay with this, even though it was illegal, and she said "yes."

Is this really the norm for PTC? Do parents let their underage kids drive the carts around without supervision and with their buddies? What is the punishment or fine for parents allowing this? Do the police even care that this happens? How are we supposed to parent our own kids and teach them to obey the laws when other parents act like this?

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Submitted by skyspy on Wed, 08/05/2009 - 9:37pm.

Don't worry the kids here will NEVER get caught. Even if they get caught nothing will happen. This will never be enforced. Too many parents think it is ok, and they will jack up city hall if the cops do their job.

It will be hard to teach your own kids right from wrong in this city.

If they hit me or anyone in my family I will take them to civil court after we get done in criminal court.

Submitted by MYTMITE on Wed, 08/05/2009 - 7:48pm.

and with friends with them. Where are the parents and where are their brains? I have almost hit them on regular roads several times. Believe me if I ever am in an accident with one of them I will sue. Don't believe much in sueing by this is one time I would. I believe it is wrong to have very young children drive even if their parents are in the cart with them. These rules need to be looked into and maybe revised.

Cyclist's picture
Submitted by Cyclist on Wed, 08/05/2009 - 8:09pm.

A lot of those same parents don't know that there is a state law that requires those under 16 have to wear a bicycle helmet while riding a bike on the road. However, there appears to be no such requirement if they ride PTC's MUP's unless they're riding an electric powered bicycle. And here's the kicker, if you are riding an electric powered bicycle you have to wear this helmet regardless of age. Puzzled

Hey Don Haddix,

PTC code makes no sense. When you become mayor maybe you can fix this.
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Submitted by fluffybear on Wed, 08/05/2009 - 5:51pm.

13 and 14 year olds driving may be against the law (a law which I fully agree with) but I personally do not find it as objectionable and irresponsible as some adults I have seen on the path system.
A couple of weeks back, the family and I were out for a ride and were shocked to see a woman driving a cart with at least 5 kids hanging off it and she had a cell phone planted against her shoulder, holding on to a cup of coffee and holding a newborn under one arm.

If anyone has picked up a new copy of the path system from city hall, you will notice a section in the map that encourages residents to report underage drivers to the police. It also encourages residents to speak with their insurance companies and possibly obtain liability insurance as some homeowner policies will not cover you in the event of an accident.

Cyclist's picture
Submitted by Cyclist on Wed, 08/05/2009 - 7:28pm.

cart with at least 5 kids hanging off it and she had a cell phone planted against her shoulder, holding on to a cup of coffee and holding a newborn under one arm.

That's funny, I must have seen her driving her mini van just the other day. Smiling
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Submitted by jevank on Wed, 08/05/2009 - 6:47pm.

So true, fluffy. I have always insured my golf cart. It is not covered under your homeowners policy unless you have a good umbrella policy attached.

Now, even being insured does not mean it will cover your underaged kids on your cart. Illegal use of your own golf cart is never covered. If anyone's child harms me in any way, rest assured that I will file a civil lawsuit that will scare a lot of parents into actually being a parent.

hutch866's picture
Submitted by hutch866 on Wed, 08/05/2009 - 6:05pm.

Two years running I drove down to Starr's Mill to see a football game and two years running, the only reason I didn't run over a kid on a golf cart was the fact I was watching for the stupid behavior, and sadly, wasn't disappointed.

I yam what I yam....Popeye


poipendicular's picture
Submitted by poipendicular on Wed, 08/05/2009 - 5:50pm.

I'm waiting to hear from those parents who allow this to happen. Suddenly we will have a flux of parents denying such actions. Only 5 more days until school starts and the teens stop driving during day hours and the paths are relatively safe again.


Submitted by Spyglass on Wed, 08/05/2009 - 3:44pm.

Speeding, expired tags, driving with POT burning, etc...but I digress...All I can say, is those parents better hope their little ones never hurt anyone while breaking the law.

Submitted by LM1430 on Wed, 08/05/2009 - 1:44pm.

I live in the Kedron area and I hate taking my cart to the shopping center. You are almost run off the road by children so young that they are unable to see over the steering wheel. The parents set a good example by letting little ones sit on their laps and drive when they are 5 or 6 years old. I have never seen anyone stopped for this.

The Wedge's picture
Submitted by The Wedge on Wed, 08/05/2009 - 12:23pm.

This may be known to all, but I thought it would be wise to post the actual rules for golf carts. I had to look them up.

The city’s law allows the following operators:

Any person age 16 and older, unless they have had their driver’s license suspended or revoked by the state;

Fifteen-year-olds with no license or learner’s permit, as long as they are accompanied by a licensed 18-year-old, parent, grandparent, or legal guardian;

Fifteen-year-olds with a valid learner’s permit can drive solo or under the above conditions, or accompanied by up to one other unrelated person at least 15 years old, or up to three immediate family members;

12, 13 and 14-year olds when accompanied in the front seat by a parent, grandparent or legal guardian.

NOTE: No one under the age of 12 may operate a cart. Low Speed Vehicles such as the GEM car still require a valid driver’s license for operation.


matt.barnes's picture
Submitted by matt.barnes on Wed, 08/05/2009 - 12:09pm.

When I got busted for driving underage I had to go to juvenile court and write a letter of apology and my parents were fined $350.00. (the fine was written out to my mom, not me.)


Submitted by Fayette-Man on Wed, 08/05/2009 - 12:04pm.

That is a great question! I'm really looking forward to hearing some feedback on this one.
I imagine the answer/s will be some what like this....
How dare you question our method of raising our kids!
How dare you stick your nose in our family matters!
How dare you! Who else is going to watch "MY" kids if we do not let them break the law and go riding the gold cart so they are out from under us!
How dare you question my child/s ability to make proper, "ADULT" judgement calls on the road/s at 13 and 14 years old unsupervised while driving the golf cart against the law!!!

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