Table of Contents

6. Sharing the Road

• 6.1. Pedestrians
• 6.2. Bicycles
• 6.3. Motorcycle Awareness
• 6.4. Mopeds
• 6.5. School Buses
• 6.6. Public Transit
• 6.7. Funeral Processions
• 6.8. Sharing the Road with a Truck
• 6.9. Golf Carts

A golf cart may be operated only upon a county road that has been designated by a county, or a municipal street that has been designated by a municipality, for use by golf carts. Upon a determination that golf carts may be safely operated on a designated road or street, the responsible governmental entity shall post appropriate signs to indicate that such operation is allowed.

Operation of golf carts on public roads or streets of this state is granted by F.S. 316.212, however subjected to the following conditions:

• A Golf cart may not be operated by anyone under the age of 14.
• A Golf cart may be operated during the hours between sunrise and sunset.
• Golf Carts Operators may cross state roads if the posted speed limit is 45 mph or less only at an intersection with an official traffic control device.
• Golf carts may be operated only on state roads that have a posted speed limit of 30 miles per hour or less.
• All local and state traffic laws must be obeyed. When in a crosswalk, pedestrians and any individual using an adaptive device will always have the right of way.
• Golf Carts can be driven on the sidewalks adjacent to the state or county road only if the person driving the cart yield to pedestrians and the sidewalk is at least 5 feet wide.

To safely operate on designated roads, the golf cart must be equipped with:

• Efficient Brakes
• Rearview Mirror
• Reliable steering apparatus
• Red reflectorized warning devices on both the front and rear of cart.
• Safe tires

A golf cart may only be operated during the hours between sunrise and sunset. If local government determines that a golf cart may be operated outside those hours, it must also be equipped with:

• Headlights
• Turn signals
• Brakes lights
• Windshield

^*While golf carts cannot travel at high speeds, they can pose risks as there is potential for serious injuries when they come in contact with other motor vehicles that are sharing the road. To ensure your safety as well as others, you should always exercise care and courtesy while sharing the roadway.

TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE

1. Are motorists required to stop or yield for pedestrians crossing the street or driveway? (See section 6.1.1)
2. What must you do when you see a pedestrian with a white cane in the street ahead of you? (See section 6.1.3)
3. What is the minimum required clearance a motorist must maintain from a cyclist? (See section 6.2.1)
4. When can a motorist preparing to make a right hand turn, move into a bike lane? (See section 6.2.2)
5. What should you do when preparing to turn right on a roadway with a bike lane? (See section 6.2.2)
6. As you prepare to turn right at an intersection, what should you do? (See section 6.2.2)
7. Do riders of bicycles and mopeds on a roadway have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers? (See section 6.2.3)
8. Who is required to wear a bicycle helmet? (See section 6.2.4)
9. Are vehicles traveling in the opposite direction of school buses that have stopped to unload children on a divided highway with a raised barrier required to stop? (See section 6.5)
10. When a school bus stops to unload children on a divided highway, should the vehicles traveling in the same direction as the bus stop? (See section 6.5)
11. If a school bus stops to unload children on a four-lane highway divided only by a four-foot paved strip, must vehicles traveling in the opposite direction stop? (See section 6.5)
12. When children or school crossing guards are present in a crosswalk, what should a driver do? (See section 6.5.1)

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