By Coral Gables Gazette staff
A common hallmark of affluent communities, especially in Florida, is the proliferation of golf carts roaming around local city streets. They are common in Key Biscayne, South Miami, Palmetto Bay and other nearby municipalities.
In Coral Gables, however, you don’t see them nearly as much, at least outside of the city’s golf courses. And there is a reason. Golf carts are not allowed on city streets. Even so, you may have seen what look like golf carts on local streets, but they are probably low-speed vehicles (LSVs), which may look like golf carts but are governed by the Florida Department of Transportation the same as regular cars.
That all might be changing soon, as Mayor Vince Lago sponsored an item at the December 9 Commission meeting for the city to put together proposed regulations that would allow golf carts to be used on certain city streets. City staff is scheduled to come back to the commission in January with a proposal.
Resident’s question spurs debate
Lago said he brought the idea forward after a resident urged him to explore whether Coral Gables could responsibly join other cities that embrace golf-cart transportation. Lago, who himself owns a Moke, an LSV permitted on roads with speed limits of 35 mph or lower, said the time has come for a structured, safety-focused discussion about whether golf carts should be allowed.
“I think it’s important that we have a real discussion and move forward about following the necessary protocols so that we could be a real golf cart community,” the mayor said. “We’ve been working on how to get the proper credentials, the proper insurance, so we can promote a golf cart community but also be as safe as possible because I don’t want to see somebody get hurt out there.”
Lago emphasized that maintaining the city’s aesthetics would also be a factor. “I don’t want to see golf carts full of advertisement. I don’t think that’s appropriate and I think it takes away from our brand. We don’t allow that here in cars.”
To help lay out the legal and regulatory framework, Lago invited Assistant City Attorney Gustavo J. Ceballos, who drives an LSV to work most days, to brief the commission on what is allowed under Florida law and what steps the city could take.
Mayor’s pitch meets a maze of legal distinctions
Ceballos explained that while LSVs and golf carts often appear similar, the distinction is important. LSVs are regulated by the state and must carry a license plate, insurance, and pass Department of Transportation inspections. “If it has a license plate, it’s registered with the state of Florida,” Ceballos said. “That vehicle can drive on any road in the state of Florida that has a speed limit of 35 miles an hour or lower.”
New rules and new responsibilities
Golf carts, however, are not allowed on public streets unless a municipality creates a local program authorized under Florida Statute 316.212. Several nearby cities including Cutler Bay, Miami Lakes, Palmetto Bay, and recently West Miami have adopted such programs, and Coral Gables could do the same.
Golf carts come with lighter requirements: functioning brakes, front and rear reflectors, and a rearview mirror at minimum. Cities can add their own safety conditions, including inspections or affidavits. “As long as you meet the criteria, you would get a sticker from your municipality,” Ceballos said.
He also noted that golf carts typically operate between 15 and 20 mph – slower than LSVs, which reach up to 25 mph. Insurance for golf carts tends to be more economical but less comprehensive.
Safety concerns reshape the conversation
If Coral Gables adopts a program, the city would be limited to designating only city-owned roads for golf cart use. Golf carts would not be permitted on county or state roads, and Ceballos cautioned that while sidewalk use is technically possible, it requires a separate state review process. “I don’t think that’s something we want to do,” he added.
Vice Mayor Rhonda Anderson agreed, stating firmly, “So, I’ll make my position clear. I’m a hard no on putting them on sidewalks.” She also asked staff to provide a height comparison chart to ensure carts are visible to larger vehicles. “I want to make sure that they’re visible by truck drivers. I want to make sure they’re visible, period.” Anderson supported exploring the idea further but noted that “the devil’s in the details.”
Decision expected early in the new year
City Attorney Cristina Suarez said a draft ordinance could be ready for the Commission’s first meeting in January, giving Coral Gables officials the chance to determine whether the City Beautiful should become a golf-cart-friendly community, one carefully regulated to preserve both safety and character.
The Gazette reached out to Police Chief Ed Hudak to see if the police department had a position on the issue, which could include an enforcement component involving cops. As of publication of this article, Hudak had not yet responded.
This Post Has 8 Comments
I’m not in favor of golf carts on the streets of Coral Gables. They are annoying & go too slow.
Golf carts on city streets are absurdly dangerous. I saw a family drive to Publix with a new born on the passenger’s lap, at night.. I was T boned by an Escalade in a car while driving 15 miles an hour. The driver went through a stop sign accelerating. Most city streets, even on side streets are dangerous while driving a car. don’t even think about the danger of round a bouts during rush hour.
I’ve seen Golf carts and LSV’s on Ponce de Leon and Miracle Mile recently wrapped in xmas lights. It’s a nuance and dangerous.
The simplest thing is to treat them as regular cars, with all the same legal requirements, duties and obligations.
As a former trauma surgeon I suggest to leave it as is. Golf carts on city streets are hazardous and families fail to realize the danger until there is a catastrophe. DOT regulated vehicles should be the rule.
As a longtime ER nurse, we see motorcycle victims in the ER regularly. A lot of these deaths are speed and visibility related accidents. A street legal golfcart limited to residential roads 25-35 Mph is much less of a risk than speeding motorcyclists on any roads or even bicyclists who are also at greater risk due to lack of visibility.
Golfcarts should never be used in public roads as warned in manufacturer’s operator’s manuals. There have been many court cases nationwide concerning accidents due to misuse of these vehicles. Who is going to enforce their proper use? There is no enforcement now of codes that prohibit e-bikes, bikes, scooters and skateboards on Miracle Mile and Ponce de Leon sidewalks. And now add robots to the mix.
The city government should take a careful look at what is happening in our roads and sidewalks and develop a strategy that includes safety and enforcement before adding another element to the already complicated situation concerning Coral Gables’ transit.
To those responsible for the safety of our public roads, I suggest that you read carefully the Operator’s Manual that comes with a golf cart. Specifically, the Warning part that reads “Never operate on public roads.” and “Do not use the vehicle on public roads. It is not designed or intended for street use and should not be licensed for use on public roads.” As a trial attorney I have had several golf cart cases including a permanent brain damage one and a facial disfigurement one. Need I say more?