The Palm Beach Police Department has stepped up enforcement of the rule prohibiting the use of golf carts on public streets with more warnings being given to violators.  

Police spokesman Capt. Will Rothrock said complaints about the use of golf carts have come up periodically, mostly on the town's North End, so the rise in complaints at the beginning of the year could be part of a cycle.

Although there has been an increase in the number of warnings, no one has received a citation since there have been no instances of people receiving multiple warnings, he said.

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Ask the Mayor:Golf carts cannot legally be driven on town streets

Anecdotally, a number of municipalities have seen an increase in the use of the golf carts since the pandemic, spurred in part by people trying to entertain themselves. Wellington last month instituted rules for golf cart use prompted by what officials said was the obvious rise in use of the vehicles there. 

Mayor Danielle Moore said Wednesday that while the situation has gotten better in the North End, there will always be people — residents and visitors — who don't know what the rules are governing the use of golf carts. 

Residents were concerned, she said, because they felt it was a safety issue and they were concerned that they would hit a child in a golf cart.

Simply put, Moore said, "Palm Beach is considered one of the safest towns in the United States, and we want to keep it that way."

Under Florida law, golf carts are prohibited on public roadways and streets and the town has not designated any roadways for permitted golf cart use. But low-speed vehicles are allowed on public streets. 

According to a release this month from the police, residents can use low-speed vehicles, or have their golf carts converted to LSVs, which require certain safety requirements, motor vehicle titling, insurance and registration for use on public roadways.

The Florida Statutes define LSVs as “any four-wheeled vehicle whose top speed is greater than 20 miles per hour, but not greater than 25 miles per hour.” They must be registered, titled and insured with personal injury protection and property damage liability insurance, and any person operating an LSV must have a valid driver's license in their immediate possession, according to state rules.

Operators of LSVs also must comply with all motor vehicle laws. 

The use of unregistered, uninsured golf carts by unlicensed or unauthorized minor operators on the public roadways is unsafe, police said, and they will stop golf carts on public roadways and low-speed vehicles driven by underage or unlicensed drivers. 

The parents who allow their unauthorized minors to drive will be cited and the golf carts will be towed. 

Rothrock said this month's release is similar to what has been done in the past where the police send out reminders to let residents know officers will be enforcing the law.

"As a result we have been making an increasing number of contacts with golf carts and underage and unregistered users," Rothrock said. 

If someone is using a golf cart, it must have been converted to a low-speed vehicle and registered with the state, he said. 

He stressed that safety is the primary concern.

"We encourage parents not to let their children ride in golf carts. We'd hate to see a terrible crash," Rothrock said, adding that there are some blind corners in the North End and roads with a 30 mph speed limit. 

LSVs may be operated only on streets where the posted speed limit is 35 mph or less and must be equipped with the following safety equipment:

Front and rear turn signals;

Reflex reflectors, red (one each side and one on the rear);

Exterior mirror on the driver side and an interior rear-view mirror or exterior mirror on passenger side;

Seat belt for each designated seat;

and a Vehicle identification number (VIN)

Source: Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles

Carol Rose is a journalist at the Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at crose@pbdailynews.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.