Is it possible to limit the speed on a Smart Car?

[Dave J]

Hey Guys,
I'm Dave. I have kind of an odd question for you. I live in a gated community where many of the kids have golf carts to get around. My kids have been begging me for a golf cart for a couple of years, they are finally old enough (13-11) to have one, but I do not feel they are safe. I saw a Smart Car on the road the other day and said to myself "hey that might work". Its got all the important safety features to keep them safe, but is small enough for them to manage. The only question I had was can the speed be governed to a safe speed?

[JPaul]

Where there's a will, anything is possible... Electric?

[andrewd]

sure you can, but @ 20mph its not going to be safer than a golf cart

rember that smart car is limited to 10kmh in reverse and i have had mine limited to 80km/h during development and testing on the remaps, now it's set to 115mph

it's a lot of money for a run around for your kids, i suggest a bicycle... back to reality!

[headless]

When I was a kid I either walked or cycled everywhere, if you give them a car when they are 11/13 what are you going to buy them when they are 16/18? get real!

[Smart Enuf]

Disclaimer: My comments are made in good faith and not intended to be soap-boxy, so please take them simply as things to think about.

I know you didn't ask, but you should also factor in the smart's weight, which is about twice that of a golf cart. So even if you could limit the smart's speed to the same as a golf cart, you're looking at twice or more kinetic energy being imparted to a pedestrian, animal or another vehicle/property in a collision. Your kids may be safer in the smart, but what about the other person or thing they may hit with the smart? You would be putting an 11-13 year old in charge of an 1800 pound vehicle in a neighborhood full of other children, adults, cars, and pets.

Also, unlike a golf cart, the smart has restricted visibility and some prominent blind spots, which would probably be enhanced at a child's height. This would likely increase the chances of an accident if your kids are not as tall as adults (which they may be, I don't know).

The smart also has certain electronic stability, traction control, and ABS features. If your kids aren't familiar with these features and how the car behaves when they're activated, your kids may react in unpredictable ways that could cause an accident.

Finally, you probably already have done so, but you should double check your local laws if you haven't. Contrary to some people's opinion, a speed-limited smart is not a golf cart. So even if the local laws allow a child to operate a golf cart with a special permit or license, it doesn't necessarily follow that they are allowed to operate a motor vehicle that can operate on highways, which is a very different animal.

[SuperGeek]

I believe the GEM is limited to 25MPH, but that's still a car - neighborhood limited, by design and laws. You probably still need a license to drive it.

Consider getting them a scooter - I don't think there's an age limit or licensing for those. Depends on your state laws, of course.

Of course, if none of that works out, the little tykes might just have to deal with manual labor. For 12 grand you can get them a pair of really nice bikes that'll make the other kids jealous. I say this because I know what it's like to be in 7th grade, rich and have the nicer things... any parent that is willing to spend 12 grand on their kids' transportation wants them to have the best of something - my brother got a Mustang convertible at age 16. That said, a bike is best for long term social development (aka "real life"). Kids get hurt on bikes, yes, but that's part of life.

[John_H]

Are 11-13 year olds permitted to drive cars in your gated community?

The smart is a full-fledged 71 hp gasoline automobile, not an electric "no license needed" toy, even if electronically limited to 20mph.

[jetfuel]

...nail a "two by four" behind the pedal...cheap and easy...

jetfuel

[Godfather]

Better still, buy one of those fine Chinese smart car electric knockoffs........ all the fine features of a golf cart, plus a fully enclosed fiberglass body.

[jetfuel]

...once again...you've outdone/outsmarted the search feature...

jetfuel