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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Regular_Tab 04B_02/14/2002 I Memorandum TO: Michael Couzzo, Village Manager FROM: Stephen J. ANison, Chief of Police,�� Subject: Problem Traffic Areas Date: February 5, 2002 At the January 2002 meeting, the Village Council requested that I prepare a report listing problem traffic areas in the Village and atso provide information regarding the operation of golf carts on public streets. Attached are the applicable statutes for the operation of golf carts on public roadways. The Viltage has never designated streets for golf cart use and posted applicable signs as required by statute. Therefore, the operation of a golf cart on any street in Tequesta is technically a violation. Listed below are problem areas that officers and residents have brought to my attention. U.S. Highway One at Tequesta Drive - Left turn arrows and right turns on red cause much confusion and many near accidents. FDOT is aware of the problem and advised last week that the first step they will take is the posting of signs stating "Vehicles Making U-Turns Must Yield". Tequesta Drive—First median break west of US One—This median break needs to be closed. Vehicles using the `alley' when leaving Bank of America still attempt to make left turns to go west on Tequesta Drive. The new building restricts the visibility to the west. Westbound vehicles attempting to make prohibited U-turns contribute to the danger at this location. U.S. Highway One at County Line Road -There are multiple problems at this intersection. Some of these problems have been directed to Palm Beach County but na improvements have been made to date. - There is no right turn lane for eastbound traffic. Vehicles have created an unofficial turn lane by driving in the swale. We have had traffic crashes caused by two vehicles turning right at the same time. Vehicles making a right turn from the swale also cause traffic crashes due to visibility problems. (A raised curb or turn lane would resolve this problem.) - A `permissive' green light, for northbound vehicles turning left, allows U- turns to be made in the path of southbound vehicles from Martin County. - This appears to be a simple "T"intersection but there are traffic lights covering all four sides of the intersection. Motorists turning left from Counry Line Road do not expect to meet westbound traffic. This results in a very dangerous situation. (Vehicles leaving the marina to go west on County Line Road have the right of way but are cut off by vehicles malcing left turns from County Line Roado) Old Dixie Highway Southbound at Tequesta Drive-A"No Right Turn" sign illurninates when the FEC railroad gates are down. Vehicles turning right must wait on Old Dixie Highway, obstructing southbaund traffic that has a green light. Village Boulevard at UoS. Highway One- Left turns from all fours sides of this intersection are becoming very dangerous. Opposing vehicles often block the view. All traffic that needs to go north on US One from County Line Plaza is forced to make either a left turn or U-turn at this intersection. This intersection needs some serious attentaon. EI Portal at Golfview Drive—Design and visibility complaints made by residents. Golfview Drive at River Drive—Complaints reference Stop and Yield signs at this intersection. Country Club Drive at North Place—Off set intersection causes visibility and right-of- way confusion. (Our traffic crash data does not show this as a problem intersection.) 320.Q1 Definitions, gereral. ^ !Fage 1'; OASIS ! (22) "Golf cart" means a motor vehicie that is designed and manufactured for operation on a goif course for sporting or recreational purposes and that is not capable of exceeding speeds of 2Q miles per hour. 3�6.212 Operation oz golf carts on certain roadways. Page 1 OASIS � 316.212 Operation of golf carts on certain roadways. TITLE XXIII MOTOR VEHICLES CHAPTER 316 STATE UNIFORM TRAFFIC CONTROL The operation of a goif cart upon the public roads or streets of this state is prohibited except as provided herein: (1) A golf cart may be operated oniy upon a county road that has been designated by a county, or a city street that has been designated by a ' city, for use by golf carts. Prior to making such a designation, the responsibie locai governmental entity must first determine that golf carts may safely travel on or cross the public road or street, considering factors including the speed, volume, and character of motor vehicle traffic using the road or street. 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. (2) A golf cart may be operated on a part of the State Highway System only under the following conditions: (a) To cross a portion of the State Highway System which intersects a county road or city street that has been designated for use by golf carts if the Department of Transportation has reviewed and approved the location and design of the crossing and any traffic control devices needed for safety purposes. (b) To cross, at midblock, a part of the State Highway System where a golf course is constructed an both sides of the highway if the Department of Transportation has reviewed and approved the location and design of the crossing and any trafific control devices needed for safety purposes. (c) A golf cart may be operated on a state road that has been designated for transfer to a local government unit pursuant to s. 335.0415 if the Department of Transportation determines that the operation of a golf cart within the right•of•way of the road will not impede the safe and efficient flow of motor vehicular traffic. The department may authorize the operation of golf carts on such a road if: 1. The road is the only available public road along which golf carts may travel or cross or the road provides the safest travel route among alternative routes available; and 2. The speed, volume, and character of motor vehicular traffic using the road is considered in making such a determination. Upon its determination that golf carts may be operated on a given road, the department shall post appropriate signs on the road to indicate that such operation is allowed. (3) Any other provision of this section to the contrary notwithstanding, a golf cart may be operated for the purpose of crossing a street or highway where a single mobile home park is located on both sides of the street or highway and is divided by that street or highway, provided that the governmental entity having original jurisdiction over such street or 3i6.212 Operation of golf carts on certain -roadways. J Faqe 2 c�AS I S highway shail review and approve the location of the crossing and require implementation of any traffic contro(s needed for safety purposes. This subsection shall apply only to residents or guests of the mobile home park. Any other provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, if notice is posted at the entrance and exit to any mobile home park that residents of the park utilize golf carts or electric vehicles within the confines of the park it shall not be necessary that the park have a gate or other device at the entrance and exit in order for such golf carts or electric vehicles to be lawfully operated in the park. (4) A golf cart may be operated only during the hours between sunrise and sunset, unless the responsible governmental entity has determined that a golf cart may be operated during the hours between sunset and sunrise and the golf cart is equipped with headlights, brake lights, turn signals, and a windshield. (5) A golf cart must be equipped with efficient brakes, reliabfe steering apparatus, safe tires, a rearview mirror, and red reflectorized warning devices in both the front and rear. (6) A golf cart may not be operated on public roads or streets by any person under the age of 14. (7) A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable pursuant to chapter 318 as either a moving violation for infractions of subsection (1), subsection (2), subsection (3), or subsection (4), or as a nonmoving violation for infractions of subsections (5) and (6). History.•s. 2, ch. 83-188; s. 1, ch. 84-111; s. 2, ch. 88•253; s. . 322, ch. 95-148; s. 4, ch. 96•413; s. 168, ch. 99-248; s. 7, ch. 2000-313. 322.0� Perscns exempt from obtaining driver's license, � Page 1 OASIS 322.04 Persons exempt from obtaining driver's license. TITLE XXIII MOTOR VEHICLES CHAPTER 322 DRIVERS' LICENSES (1) The foflowing persons are exempt from obtaining a driver's license: (a) Any employee of the United States Government, while operating a noncommercial motor vehicle owned by or leased to the United States Government and being operated on official business. (b) Any person while driving or operating any road machine, farm tractor, or implement of husbandry temporarily operated or moved on a highway. (c) A nonresident who is at least 16 years of age and who has in his or her immediate possession a valid noncommercial driver's license issued to the nonresident in his or her home state or country, may operate a motor vehicle of the type for which a Class E driver's license is required in this state. (d) A nonresident who is at least 18 years of age and who has in his or her immediate possession a valid noncommercial driver's license issued to the nonresident in his or her home state or country may operate a motor vehicle, other than a commercial motor vehicle, in this state. (e) Any person operating a golf cart, as defined in s. 320.01, which is operated in accordance with the provisions of s. 316.212. (2) The provisions of this section do not apply to any person to whom s. 322.031 applies. (3) Any person working for a firm under contract to the United States Government, whose residence is without this state and whose main point of employment is without this state may drive a nancommercial vehicle on the public roads of this state for periods up to 60 days while in this state on temporary duty, provided such person has a valid driver's license from the state of such person's residence. History.-s. 16, ch. 19551, 1939; CGL 1940 Supp. 4151(630); s. 16, ch. 20451, 1941; s. 1, ch. 21949, 1943; s. 3, ch. 29721, 1955; s. 1, ch. 59•315; s. l, ch. 61•124; s. I, ch. 69-186; s. 5, ch. 78•394; s. 2, ch. 84-111; s. 45, ch. 87-198; s. 34, ch. 89-282; s. 5, ch. 91-243; s. 395, ch. 95-148; s. 32, ch. 95•333.