In wake of two 2019 tragedies, St. Johns County deputies cracking down on golf cart safety

ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — In the wake of two tragedies this year, St. Johns County deputies are cracking down on golf cart safety.

The Sheriff's Office said it will be stepping up patrols and enforcement during an information session Wednesday night in Nocatee.

Nocatee mom Meagan Perkins is a member of the St. Johns County Sheriff's Advisory Council.  She believes the age to drive a golf cart should be raised from 14 to 16 years old.

"I believe that the state law needs to be changed," Perkins said. "If you don't have a driver's license, you should not be driving a golf cart."

Action News Jax told you in January when 17-year-old Olivia Love suffered serious head injuries when she fell off the back of a golf cart in St. Augustine.

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She's having to re-learn how to walk and talk.

In July, Luke Tabor, 14, suffered a traumatic brain injury in an incident in Durbin Crossing.

"Most of our crashes have been with juveniles under 16 years of age," said SJSO Cmdr. Scott Beaver, who conducted that meeting Wednesday.

He said the Sheriff's Office will be enforcing rules like age requirements, even using patrolling deputies on golf carts.

Perkins said big changes in driver behavior are also needed.

"They're on their phones, or they're just being erratic, and I don't want to have that with my two kids in the golf cart," Perkins said.

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