Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/239386
Sarasota News Leader January 10, 2014 OPINION Combine the slow speeds of golf carts, the minimal visibility, the lack of caution exhibited by the operators and the interaction with heavy traffic traveling at much higher speeds, and one has a perfect recipe for disaster. That no one has been seriously injured or killed in a collision between a golf cart and an automobile is almost miraculous. And if nothing is done to stem the growth of these illegal vehicles operating on county roads, only a true miracle will avoid the carnage that surely will ensue. Given the illegality of golf cart use, it becomes a conundrum for the Sheriff's Office when some of those users have an utter disregard for obeying the law. Beginning a crackdown on violations with the issuance of warning citations might be helpful, but at some point LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Sarasota News Leader welcomes letters to the editor from its readers. Letters should be no more than 300 words in length, and include the name, street address and telephone number of the writer. Letters should be emailed to Page 87 persistent violators must face the consequences of their unlawful acts. Given the decades of deferential treatment of Pinecraft residents by the county, any increased enforcement of existing laws is likely to foment anger and feelings of persecution. However, the stakes are simply too high for the county and law enforcement to ignore this problem. The Pinecraft community is traversed by Beneva Road and Bahia Vista Street, two of the most heavily traveled thoroughfares in the area. The presence of even a few golf carts constitutes a serious hazard, and the practice must be stamped out, for the safety and welfare of the errant golf cart operators and all those they encounter. % Letters@SarasotaNewsLeader.com, with "Letter to the Editor" in the subject line. Letters actually printed will be selected based on space available, subject matter and other factors. We reserve the right to edit any letters submitted for length, grammar, spelling, etc. All letters submitted become the property of The Sarasota News Leader. FREE SUBSCRIPTION Don't have your own subscription to The Sarasota News Leader? Subscribe for FREE and receive a weekly notification when the latest issue is available online.