A big part of what we all love about Walton County is that ability to set out on foot – to easily get where you want to go or simply enjoy the experience of exploring. There’s just something about the freedom and being able to interact with new people along the way. It was the vision when Robert and Daryl Davis first developed the concept for Seaside in the early 1980s. Fewer cars. Narrower streets. Front porches that invited more friendly interaction among neighbors.
The only catch is there’s a lot to see and do in Walton County. While these neighborhoods do have a close-knit feel, they’re still a bit spread out. Oh… and sometimes you really just don’t feel like walking.
Another option has gained popularity as a happy medium between a car and a good old-fashioned stroll: low-speed vehicles. These typically open-air vehicles enable groups to move around a little more freely without having to pile into a large SUV. Their smaller size also allows for easier maneuvering and parking.
The LSVs you’ll see around Walton County are often customized with things like off-road wheels, high-end stereos and multiple rows of seating. Cruising around, filled with coolers, colorful towels and collapsible chairs, these sporty little rides are in some ways an unofficial vehicle of vacation at the beach.
But don’t mistake them for the carts that you might see on a golf course. Those may be fun and functional, but they’re relegated to the fairways and the clubhouse parking lot. LSVs, on the other hand, are designated as legitimate motor vehicles.
More than a great sound system, what really sets them apart from golf carts are all the components that qualify them as street legal. LSVs must check all the same boxes as typical road-worthy cars and trucks – including a license plate, seat belts, turn signals, brake lights, reflectors, headlights, mirrors and a D.O.T.-approved windshield.
Apart from all the safety bells and whistles, as LSV operators in Walton County, we all should pay heed to the regulations that keep us and pedestrians safe. Here’s a quick rundown of the basics:
- Operators must be at least 16 with a valid driver’s license
- Never allowed on pedestrian pathways
- Can only be driven on roads with posted speed limits of 35 MPH or less
- No open containers of alcohol – not even the passengers
- No more than the maximum designated number of passengers allowed
- Seat belts required by all passengers at all times
Thankfully, the regulations are pretty simple to abide by. Most of them just ask us to use common sense and not be too laid-back when cruising around. LSVs are usually used for short trips, so it can admittedly be easy to get lax.
It may seem easiest to have children pile onto the back bench or sit on your lap. However, kids need to be fully secured while driving, as with other motor vehicles. Any child that would normally use a booster or a five-point harness car seat is required to use one on an LSV.
LSV ownership is all about respect, too. We can’t just park them wherever we want, like that little patch of grass near the beach access! LSVs can only be parked in areas designated for other motor vehicles. This excludes parking in front of driveways, on private property or in any marked No Parking zones. Consider that you’ll be sparing yourself from a bigger hassle and expense just by parking it in a proper spot. Whether you own the LSV or are renting, you’ll be responsible for any fines incurred.
All told, the rules of the road (and parking lot) are simple enough for all of us to get a grasp on. These laws not only keep us all safe but also hold up the friendly etiquette that fuels the communal spirit of Walton County. So, customize those carts to your heart’s content. Just make sure to use your head once you’re behind the wheel!
