phrase used to describe when ….

phrase used to describe when drivers get the gas and brake pedal mixed up—while attempting to make a U-turn, according to Seal Beach Traffic Investigator James Dowdell.

According to a GRF Security report, his low-speed vehicle collided with a parked Toyota RAV4, leaving the low-speed vehicle “heavily damaged.” The Mutual 11 resident was taken to Los Alamitos Medical Center and later succumbed to his injuries.

The driver did not have a license. His family had taken his driver’s license and car from him, according to Officer Dowdell, and he later found “a way around” not having a license: purchasing what he thought was a golf cart.

The “golf cart” he purchased was actually a low-speed vehicle— a type of vehicle that is often heavier and faster than a golf cart—which requires a license, registration and safety features like seat belts, which his vehicle did not have.

Following these incidents, the Seal Beach Police Department is increasing enforcement of traffic laws in and around Leisure World. Its goal is to reduce the number of unlicensed drivers illegally operating vehicles in the community, There is no grey area in the California Vehicle Code. If a cart strays from the requirements listed above, even slightly, it falls into another category of vehicle: the low-speed vehicle (LSV) or the electric neighborhood vehicle (ENV), which require drivers’ licenses to operate.

“Just because you think it’s a golf cart doesn’t make it a golf cart,” said SBPD Traffic Investigator James Dowdell. “It’s similar to e-bikes. Parents say, ‘I bought my kid this fancy e-bike,’ and we need to educate the parents. ‘No, you bought your kid an e-motorcycle.’” Both LSVs and ENVs must be equipped with headlights, taillights, brake lights, turn signals, a horn, rearview mirrors, a windshield and wipers, seatbelts, a parking brake and fenders—as well as valid Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) registration and vehicle insurance.

During the town hall, many residents shared that they purchased vehicles advertised as “golf carts,” only to learn after the fact that they are considered low-speed vehicles as dictated by the California Vehicle Code.

Multiple residents stated that their vehicles met all criteria to be classified as a golf cart except for one: it could seat four people.

“I have a golf cart with four seats and no turn signals,” one resident shared, asking whether she could continue to drive the cart without a license. The answer from the police: no, if it has four seats, it’s not a golf cart and therefore must be registered with the DMV and meet all the safety standards listed above.

Throughout the questionand- answer session, Officer Dowdell expressed that he’d be lenient with offenders: “I’m not a big enforcement guy,” he said, “We want to try and get everyone in compliance.”

This soothed some residents and frustrated others.

“You’re killing us with kindness,” said Mutual 3 resident Carol Ginther. “There are so many stop sign runners, speeders. We need serious help. I appreciate kindness but it’s not working.”

Based on audience descriptions, it appeared that most residents’ vehicles exist in an in-between state. Some go faster than a golf cart, but can only seat two people. Others lack seatbelts and turn signals, but can travel over 15 miles per hour.

To those unsure of vehicle speed, GRF Director Kathryn Jones suggested driving southbound on St. Andrews Drive, which is equipped with a radar speed sign: “Drive past it and floor it. It will tell you how fast you can go.”

Officers encouraged residents to modify their vehicles to meet the California Vehicle Code standards, either by removing features or adding them depending on their end goal.

To those who don’t want to spend the time, energy and money to get their vehicle up to snuff, SBPD Captain Mike Ezroj suggested: “Sell it and buy an actual golf cart.”

Some residents suggested that the police rethink the whole thing, noting that it would be too costly to tow their golf carts to the DMV to be registered or too burdensome to get insurance.

“We don’t control the DMV, the insurance, or the laws,” Captain Ezroj said.

One commenter suggested inviting the DMV or AAA to hold a registration event in Leisure World, which GRF staff is exploring.

Throughout the presentation, residents shared their frustration with the high number of red-light runners and speeders traveling over Leisure World’s 25-mile-per-hour speed limit.

Some called for increased enforcement from police, and more focus from GRF Security. Since GRF Security is not legally authorized to issue citations for moving violations, it must rely on the police to cite irresponsible or unsafe drivers.

“The fact of the matter is: there are people here who no longer have the ability to drive, whether it’s a car, motorcycle or golf cart,” said GRF Security Director Victor Rocha.

Here are a few misconceptions that were clarified during the town hall:

• Golf carts, as defined by criteria set forth in the California Vehicle Code, cannot drive on public roadways, such as Seal Beach Boulevard or Westminster Boulevard. Only vehicles that are registered and insured can be operated on public roadways.

• Golf carts should never be driven on the sidewalk. The one exception is when a resident is crossing a sidewalk to park on the parking pad in front of their unit. Drivers must always yield to pedestrians.

• Golf carts are allowed to park on Trust streets as long as they have valid GRF decals. The 72-hour parking rule still applies. For more information about decals, call the Decal Office at 562-431-6586, ext. 2270.

• The Seal Beach Village Shopping Center, which is private property, has given explicit permission for Leisure World residents to drive golf carts on their property. It is legal to do so and will not result in a traffic violation.

• North Gate Road is not Trust property, and therefore golf carts are not allowed to drive on that road.

Residents interested in ditching their vehicles in favor of free or low-cost public transportation can attend a transportation information session on Tuesday, Nov. 4, at 10 a.m. in the Clubhouse 3 Lobby (see page 15). Live closed captions will be available.

For more information about golf cart laws, email Officer James Dowdell at jdowdell@sealbeachca.gov, or call 562-7994100, ext. 1627.