A little bit of hope is all Melinda Alden has been waiting for years, she ran into NBC2 on Wednesday saying that people driving golf carts on Cortez Blvd. is a big problem.
On Tuesday, the Fort Myers Police traffic unit set up a signboard on that street that stated "No golf carts on roadways or sidewalks."
"I see parents riding on the golf carts because they own them at home and then the kids sometimes take the golf carts and they go back home," said Alden.
Kids as young as 13 years old, which is illegal in Florida.
Last month, Dr. Eric Eiselman, an eye doctor in Fort Myers, died when a tanker truck crashed into his golf cart on Winkler Road. Fort Myers Police Officer Justin Trask says that the crash has FMPD keeping a closer eye on the city.
"Golf carts aren’t low-speed vehicles they don’t have the proper lights or reflectors for vehicles to see them, especially on side streets of McGregor if they try and cross the roadway, a crash can happen which can obviously result in serious injuries or death," Trask said.
Trask says that golf carts shouldn't be on the roads or sidewalks in the city of Fort Myers, except in certain gated communities and golf courses.
"That’s just more of a hey we’re out here to let you know what’s right and what’s wrong and the potential penalties for breaking the law," Trask said.
Golf carts are not allowed on roadways or sidewalks within the city of Fort Myers, with a few exceptions:
- Certain gated communities allow them: and the roadways will be marked accordingly, and designated golf courses.
- Government employees, utility workers and maintenance workers utilize them in official business.
A new law increased the age requirement to 18 with a valid ID card 15 with a learner's permit and 16 with a valid driver's license.
The 2023 Florida Drivers License Handbook, page 46 states that golf carts MAY NOT be operated AT ALL unless allowed by a specific county or city.
Currently, no city ordinance allows golf carts to be driven on public roadways and or sidewalks within the city of Fort Myers.
The infraction can range in the form of citations from $113 to $163 and potential points on your driver's license.