Proposed golf cart ordinance

[kmg58]

Here is a proposal being presented to the city council. Any supporters/thoughts?

Golf Carts; a way of life

This is a proposal for the City of Demopolis to enact an ordinance allowing Golf Carts to operate on or across certain public roads under defined circumstances.

Golf Carts are a way of life in Demopolis. The city should capitalize on this unique aspect of our city by making these fun, safe, inexpensive, environmentally friendly vehicles a legal form of transportation on our streets. This ordinance should be adopted in the interest of public safety. Proper rules and regulations will make this a safe way to enhance our cities offerings and attractiveness.

Highlights for the ordinance;

· Golf Carts are a way of life in Demopolis.
· Considerable public demand for low cost, private, local vehicular
transportation exists.
· Electric powered Golf Car Vehicles contribute to cleaner air and
with a national emphasis to go “Green” Demopolis would be
contributing to this cause.
· Hundreds of cities across the country such as Peach Tree City
Georgia , The Villages Florida, and Montevallo here in
Alabama are adopting ordinances to allow Golf Cart Vehicles on
public roads and many more cities are following suit because of
resident demand, safety, cost effectiveness, and environmental
advantages.
· Help attract potential residents and retirees to Demopolis.

Proposed rules and regulations:

· Any person who operates a cart in the City of Demopolis takes full
responsible for all liability associated with operating the cart.
· Any person who operates a cart must be at least sixteen (16)
years of age or older.
· Carts may be driven on streets only from dawn to dusk, unless the
cart is equipped with manufactured headlights, turn signals, and
brake lights that have been approved by the Chief of Police.
· Carts may only be driven on streets with a speed limit of 25 mph
or less.
· Carts must be equipped with a rear vision mirror and at least two
rear reflectors.
· Any person who operates a cart on the streets in the City of
Demopolis must adhered to all applicable State laws, concerning
the possession and use of alcoholic beverages, and all other illegal
drugs, as well as all other state traffic laws.
· Cart drivers must yield the right-of-way to overtaking vehicles, at
all times.
· Children must be properly seated while cart is in motion and may
not be transported in a negligent manner.
· All carts operated on the streets must have a valid permit. A
yearly fee of _____ per cart will be charged for this permit sticker
and to cover the costs of implementing and maintaining this
Ordinance.

attached is a Model Ordinance.

[AUFAN]

This might work if they make all the city streets 25mph or less and make sure that all drivers have a drivers license to make sure that underaged kids are not allowed to operate them. I am a supporter of green cities.

[RoadstarB]

I like this idea, but, and I don't want to be the bad person here, but I just can't help but think about what will happen when an accident does occur? Will liability insurance be required on these carts,,, any impact at 25mph or less can be severe in a golf cart, especially when it's a teenager running the stopsign at Rembert St & South Main driving a full size jacked up 4x4 truck.

[Romad]

It's all fun and games till you're cleaning up after a cart of creamed 9 year olds and it WILL happen - just the law of averages - I really believe this with the carts driven by young people that I've had to go through emergency maneuvers to avoid. What's the city's liability for an ordnance allowing non-auto vehicles to use city roads?

[kmg58]

Safety is an issue, probably the main issue with this ordinance getting passed. This why the ordinance must include provisions that only those with a valid drivers licence can operate the vehicle.

In my oppion golf carts are safer/more visable than say a kid on a bicycle or other pedestrian on the road. I ride a bike most days of the week and feel much more danger than when I am in a golf cart. Other vehicles respect golf carts more. Golf carts are slow, kids on bikes can go much faster than a golf cart and turn in and out much quicker. Unfortunately accidents happen and we should do everything we can to prevent them from happening but we cant stop living life to prevent an accident.

The ordinance should also enforce liability insurance for the vehicle the same as the state motor vehicle law

[brad]

Have the other city's mentioned in the proposed ordinance had a high rate of accidents? Bicycles have a legal right to be on the highway, but I encounter morons behind the wheel of vehicles on a daily basis. I would be more concerned about motorist running over a golf cart than the operator of the cart being at fault. But that is just my humble opinion.

[Romad]

The problem is, the kids driving golf carts often do not respect the rules of the road. In a perfect world your proposed ordnance would be fine. In our imperfect one it's an invitation to a serious acident since we are all aware that rules and regulations are often not followed as they should be. If you can personally and financially guarantee that this will not happen and we'll see no young children flouting the rules as I did just today - EVEN WITH THE RULES IN PLACE TODAY- , I'll support it.

[kmg58]

Chidren should not be allowed to operate the vehicles period. That is not what the ordinance is about, it is about providing a clean, economical, efficient, safe alternative mode of transportation for responsible drivers license holders.
When rules are broken harsh penalties should be enforced. This ordinance in no way will be an invitation for children or unlicensed drivers to use the vehicles on the streets, just as current motor vehicle laws are not an invitation for unlicensed drivers to operate vehicles on the streets. The same sanctions that are in place for unlicensed and underage motor vehilce users would apply.
I would hope the passing of the ordinance will bring attention to the matter and parents will be educated that the use of these vehicles on the streets is for valid license holders only.

[CedarSam]

I almost hit a golf cart load of kids once. they crossed Maria at the stop light and never looked. My light was green.
This could work at a retirement community but if kids have them, they will drive them...JMO
25 mile an hour limit streets only, this sounds like a special law for the Country Club folks.
Why not make this area a "Gated Community" and let them do what they want.
But when a cart load of teenagers (sometimes younger) and a 16 year automobile driver
(Usually talking on the phone) meet...lord help them.
It's amazing we are talking about this when we know Golf Carts were built for GOLF!....the biggest impact it will withstand is from a Bad Golfer's Slice....not a 3500 pound Honda Accord.
What's next?....Demopolis...A 4 wheeler friendly city....slap a mirror and a golf club bag on it...lol

[uwa_amanda]

Originally Posted by Romad

The problem is, the kids driving golf carts often do not respect the rules of the road. In a perfect world your proposed ordnance would be fine. In our imperfect one it's an invitation to a serious acident since we are all aware that rules and regulations are often not followed as they should be. If you can personally and financially guarantee that this will not happen and we'll see no young children flouting the rules as I did just today - EVEN WITH THE RULES IN PLACE TODAY- , I'll support it.

Kids don't respect the rules of the road? That's true.

Adults are even worse...they KNOW the rules of the road yet they still don't treat them with the respect they deserve. I don't think this ordinance will work because, say it passes, you've got some folks who would try to bend the rules to suit them.

[jowlar]

kmg58, I like it. Best of luck to you.

[Ruthie]

Demopolis is NOT a RETIREMENT COMMUNITY - I know as my husband is retired and we have looked into several locations that claim to be "retirement communities"...these places have an age requirement in a certain area...at least most of them do, there are no children driving any carts.

If adults want to drive a cart they need to be insured (if the insurance agency will do it) and they should go through a special safety class and sign a letter that they are financially responsible for any accidents of their making....the ordinance should be strict...the only way they should be able to use it is on the way to the golf course...

I don't think any insurance company will insure a golf cart if it is not "street legal"...

I think this is an accident waiting to happen......and if it happens to any of my family I will not only sue the driver of the cart....but the owner (if different) and the City of Demopolis.....

[Ruthie]

I just contact my Insurance Agent and asked him if they could insure golf carts - this is his response:

"You can but they are only covered on your premises or on a golf course. Since you can’t buy a license for a golf cart we don’t cover them on the road."

[huntingurl]

I think its a great idea....as long as its liscensed drivers only!!!!!!! Ruthie may I ask what has happened to oppose you so strongly....please dont bash...just asking a question...

[81Tiger]

You know what's street-legal? Golf cart trailers.

It sounds like the country club (or someone - just sayin') could make some money renting golf cart trailers: servicing, even driving out and "picking up" golf carts (like a golf cart taxi service). Let's say they buy three to five trailers. Judging by the need on D-Live alone, they could probably pay for themselves this year.

Feel free to discuss pros and cons.