(A) Golf carts may be operated of the streets of the city under the following rules and regulations:
(1) Any person who operates a golf cart in the city takes full responsibility for all liability associated with said operation.
(2) Any person who operates a golf cart must be at least 18 years of age and have a valid state issued driver license (any state).
(3) There must be insurance coverage of at least $100,000 per person and $300,000 per occurrence. This is to cover persons and/or property injured/damaged as a result of the golf cart's operation.
(4) Operation of golf carts prohibited during inclement weather when road conditions, such as snow and ice, would make it unsafe to operate golf carts on the streets of the city.
(5) Golf carts will have headlights emitting white beam of light (visible from 500 feet) and taillights emitting a red beam of light (visible from 100 feet) on during operation upon any city street.
(6) Golf carts must not be operated when visibility is impaired by weather or other conditions where there is insufficient light to clearly see persons or other vehicles on the roadway at a distance of 500 feet.
(7) Golf carts may not be operated on any state highways or county roads. They may cross these roads at right angles to only.
(8) Golf carts may not be operated at speeds above that as deemed safe by the manufacturer of the vehicle and never more than 20 miles an hour.
(9) Golf carts must have the following equipment:
(a) Brakes;
(b) Steering apparatus;
(c) Four tires;
(d) Rearview mirror;
(e) Red slow moving vehicle triangle;
(f) Headlamp emitting white light 500 feet to the vehicle front;
(g) Tail lamp emitting red light 100 feet to the vehicle rear;
(h) Brake lights;
(i) Turn lights;
(j) Seatbelts for operator and passengers.
(10) Persons operating golf carts on city streets must obey all Indiana traffic regulations.
(11) All passengers must have a place to sit that was specifically designed by the manufacturer for that purpose.
(12) Children may not be passengers on any golf cart until they no longer require special child restraint systems.
(13) All golf carts must be inspected by the Clinton Police Department and be issued the appropriate permit and documentation prior to operation on city streets.
(B) Golf cart permits.
(1) Permits shall be granted for a period of one year or five years. If the owner obtains a one year permit, a new permit must be obtained each year prior to operation of the golf cart on city streets (and upon expiration of a five year permit).
(2) The cost for inspection and permit fees is $30 per year, or $100 for five years. Proof of insurance will be required at the time a permit is issued.
(3) If an owner obtains a five year permit, the owner must still have the cart inspected each year by the Clinton City Police Department on or before the anniversary date of the permit's issuance. No fee shall be charged for the annual inspection to holder of a five year permit.
(4) The Clinton Police Department is the sole authority for issuing permits and may revoke or refuse to issue a permit for any reason they deem appropriate.
(5) Permits must be affixed to the rear of the golf cart as directed during the inspection and the issued documentation must be available when requested by an officer. Sale of a golf cart voids the permit and the new purchaser must apply for a permit in their name.
(C) Enforcement.
(1) Any violation of this section is punishable, if found guilty, by a fine in the amount of not less than $25 and not more than $75.
(2) A permit can be revoked permanently for multiple violations or if a single violation is of such a nature that it presents an extreme safety violation based on irresponsible operation. The registered owner is responsible for the golf cart and its safe operation; allowing another person to operate the golf cart does not relieve them from this responsibility.
(D) Definitions.
(1) CITY STREETS. Refers to those roadways that the city has the responsibility to maintain.
(2) GOLF CART. Refers to a vehicle manufactured specifically to transport golf clubs and passengers for the purpose of playing golf. It does not include any other type of vehicle such as an all terrain vehicle or farm service vehicle.
(3) OPERATOR. Refers to the person having operational control vehicle.
(Ord. 6-2017-2, passed 7-18-2017)