Public safety committee approves golf-cart safety PSA, clarifies registration rules

The Miami Lakes Public Safety Committee voted to approve a draft golf-cart safety public-service announcement after an extended line-by-line review that clarified safety rules, registration differences and suggested visuals for the video. Chair read the script aloud and solicited edits before the committee adopted the version presented.

The PSA stresses that golf carts may not be used on specified avenues (57, 67 and 87) unless the cart is registered with the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles as a low-speed vehicle and bears a state-issued plate or tag. Deputy Amador and other members pressed for clearer language distinguishing the town's annual sticker process from state registration, which allows a cart to operate where normal vehicles may go.

The script instructs operators to obey traffic laws, use headlights at night, carry required safety equipment (brakes, mirrors, functioning steering, seat belts where required) and keep limbs inside the vehicle. It also recommends operators carry a government-issued photo ID; operators under 18 "must have a learner's permit or driver's license" as described in the state statute cited during discussion.

Committee members discussed insurance and inspection requirements during the review. The draft refers viewers to state statute language and avoids making enforcement claims beyond advising safety best practices; legal review will be sought before broader distribution. The committee agreed the video should remain focused on safety and that language about penalties would be limited and vetted by town management.

The committee asked staff to run the cleaned script by legal and then forward it to the county sheriff's command staff for approval and coordination of on-camera deputies. Several community volunteers and local club members were proposed to appear in staged b-roll for the PSA. The committee recorded a voice vote in favor of approving the script and moved to finalize production steps.