New golf cart signs on Gasparilla streets
Two weeks ago, new signs reminding residents that golf carts are prohibited on certain stretches of Gasparilla Island were placed at some locations, including the beginning of the Lee County line. Lt. Mike Sawicki, who oversees Lee County Sheriff operations in Boca Grande, had submitted the work order for the signs.
“The purpose of the signs is to close a loophole that has been sitting open, and to make it fair for us to enforce, so people know where they can and can’t be,” he said. Motorists may have noticed several different iterations of these signs, prohibiting golf carts on Gasparilla Road, as well at Gulf Boulevard. These are not new regulations, only a reminder of existing rules.
According to Florida Statute 316.212, “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.”
One sign near Wheeler Road specifies that golf carts are “OK” sunrise to sunset. Generally, this is a Lee County rule; however, driving golf carts during nighttime hours is permissible with carts equipped with headlights, brake lights, turn signals and windshields, which most golf carts do have these days, Sawicki said. He had asked Lee County to omit this sunrise/sunset language from the signs in the original work order because he thought it might be confusing. He re-submitted the same request prior to Labor Day.
A reminder that, as of July 2023, golf cart drivers must be 16 years old, or 15 years old with a learner’s permit and adult present, per House Bill 949 signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. All drivers must have state identification.
