PORT RICHEY, Fla. — Golf carts have become popular modes of transportation throughout the Bay area, but in Port Richey police are stepping up efforts to enforce carts from crossing large multi-lane roads.
What You Need To Know
- Port Richey police will begin enforcing education of new signs prohibiting golf carts from crossing at the intersection of US-19 and Grand Boulevard
- The intersection is a popular spot for many who own golf carts to drive and cross to the other side
- Police say the education grace period for the new signs will expire Dec. 1, with any golf carts crossing US-19 after that date will be illegal
- FDOT plans to make changes along the road, making it more accommodating for golf carts
Signage is now up prohibiting golf carts from crossing the busy intersection of Grand Boulevard at US-19. It’s an ongoing issue that has some questioning their rights.
The intersection is a popular spot for many who own golf carts to drive and cross to the other side. It’s an activity Port Richey police say won’t be happening for much longer.
Bert Carlson has called Port Richey home for four years and his preferred choice of getting around is by golf cart.
“I don’t own a car,” Carlson said. “I have really no reason to own a car. If I need to go to the airport or somewhere, I use an Uber.”
It’s more than a mode of transportation for him. In fact, you can say it’s his way of life. Carlson works as a mechanic at Ron’s Custom Carts.
“Some of these golf carts they build today are absolutely beautiful,” he said.
But recently there’s been some pushback on the vehicles.
“They make this big noise about how we can’t cross 19,” Carlson said. “It’s all about 19.”
That’s because just a short walk from the store stands a sign, prohibiting golf carts from crossing US-19. But Carlson says he’s been noticing otherwise.
“I mean, I don’t really want to sit here and say I hope they start enforcing it because I don’t,” Carlson said. “But they don’t seem to enforce it. So is it just a reason to appease the state or something? That’s what I’m thinking.”
Carlson says the arrival of the signs may be just the start of tighter rules on golf carts. Rules that could become stricter.
“All it takes is one,” he said. “So if you’re going to have one accident with a car, are you going to stop every car from going down US-19 all of a sudden? Accidents happen.”
Port Richey police say the education grace period for the new signs will expire on December 1st. After that, any golf cart crossing US-19 will be illegal.
The Florida Department of Transportation is planning to make changes along the road, making it more accommodating for golf carts. Staff with the City of Port Richey say it will be just a matter of agreeing on an affordable option.
