Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing overspeed of an electrically powered .[.golf car.]. .Iadd.vehicle .Iaddend.having a shunt wound direct current electric motor with an armature winding and a field winding serially connected to respective switching devices and to a source of on-board direct current electric power. The .[.golf car.]. .Iadd.vehicle .Iaddend.includes a control adapted and connected to regulate the current in each of the armature and field windings for controlling speed in response to an operator's command. The .[.golf car.]. .Iadd.vehicle .Iaddend.incorporates overspeed detect sensing the magnitude of current in each of the armature winding and the field winding and detecting when the current in the armature winding reverses direction. The magnitude of the armature winding current upon such reversal is compared to a preselected value and an overspeed signal generated when the reverse current magnitude exceeds the preselected value.