"Slices of 30A"

What You Need to Know About Golf Carts in South Walton 

In South Walton, golf carts are an increasing part of daily life, having become a standard mode of transportation along Scenic 30A for locals and visitors alike. These compact, eco-friendly vehicles provide a hassle-free way to get to the beaches and restaurants. However, questions about where golf carts can be driven, the laws and rules governing them, and how to operate them safely often arise. For answers, this week's blog goes straight to the source: the Walton County Sheriff's Office.

Know Your Ride: Golf Carts vs. Low-Speed Vehicles (LSVs)

Let's clear up the confusion: golf carts and LSVs are different. Golf carts are unlicensed, unregistered vehicles designed for—you guessed it—golf courses. No matter how tempting that shortcut to the coffee shop might be, they are not allowed on public roads.

LSVs, on the other hand, are street-legal but come with a checklist of requirements:

• Speed: Must reach at least 20 MPH but not exceed 25 MPH.
• Equipment: Think headlights, seat belts, windshield wipers, and even a slow-moving vehicle emblem. (Yes, it's a lot, but safety first!)
• Registration: Like your car, LSVs need a valid tag and insurance.

If you're cruising in an LSV, make sure you follow the rules—or risk a traffic citation or, worse, having your ride towed.

LSV Laws You Need to Know

Driving an LSV comes with its own set of rules designed to keep everyone on the road safe:

• Drivers must have a valid license.
• All front-seat passengers must wear seat belts, regardless of age.
• Children under five must be in a car seat or booster.
• Open alcohol containers? Not allowed. Save the celebration for when you've parked.

And remember: LSVs can only be driven on roads with speed limits of 35 MPH or less. Forget about hopping onto US Highway 98 or its sidewalks—it's not just illegal; it's dangerous.

Are LSVs allowed in all 30A communities?

You've probably noticed the absence of LSVs in Rosemary Beach, Seaside, and Alys Beach. These communities have private roads and their own regulations, while Inlet Beach and Blue Mountain Beach are county-maintained and governed by Florida statutes and county ordinances.

How do you know if you're on a private or public road? Here's a simple trick to know for sure:

• GREEN street signs mean it's a county-maintained road
• BLUE street signs mean they are privately maintained

Walton County has provided a map that shows which shows which roads are prohibited for low-speed vehicles: VIEW THE MAP

The Golden Rule of the Road

As Bill Kelly once said, "Good manners are just a way of showing other people that we have respect for them."

While the blend of higher-speed vehicles and LSVs can challenge patience, relax and remember the unique, laid-back vibe we enjoy in South Walton. After all, LSVs have rights, too!

Vice-versa: When cars begin to line up behind your LSV, please pull over to let them pass. It's a small gesture that keeps traffic moving smoothly, reduces stress, and makes the road safer. 

Let's make every ride a reflection of our 30A beach community's spirit of safety and kindness!