(A) This section is not intended to promote the operation of golf carts on county maintained public roads. Dearborn County does not recommend or even endorse the operation of golf carts on its roads. However, many of the citizens of Dearborn County want to operate golf carts on county roads. All persons operating golf carts must he attentive to the safety of themselves and others, including passengers, other motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. All persons who operate or ride golf carts on county streets do so at their own peril. Dearborn County assumes no liability for the operation of golf carts within Dearborn County based upon this section;
(B) For the purposes of this section, a GOLF CART is a commercially manufactured four wheeled motor vehicle originally and specifically designed and intended to transport one or more individuals for the purpose of playing the game of golf on a golf course and that has not been modified in any fashion to increase speed;
(C) The operation of a golf cart on any public roadways in Dearborn County is hereby prohibited except as outlined in this section;
(D) The operation of a golf cart is permitted between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. only in the following situations:
(1) Within the municipal boundaries of a city or town that has specifically authorized the operation of golf carts and only in accordance with the municipal ordinance authorizing the operation of golf carts; and
(2) Within platted subdivisions wherein the speed limit is twenty-five miles per hour (25 m.p.h.) or less;
(E) No person shall operate a golf cart within Dearborn County unless the operator holds a valid driver’s license;
(F) No person shall operate a golf cart with Dearborn County without financial responsibility. Financial responsibility shall have the same meaning in this section as it is defined in Indiana Code Title 9. Proof of financial responsibility shall be in the same manner as provided in I.C. 9-25-4;
(G) No person shall operate a golf cart in the unincorporated areas of Dearborn County unless it is equipped with head lights, tail lights, brake lights, turn signals, and a slow-moving vehicle placard;
(H) No more than two persons, including the operator, may be on a golf cart while it is in use unless the golf cart is specifically manufactured to transport more than two occupants;
(I) No person shall operate a golf cart within Dearborn County unless the golf cart is registered with Dearborn County. To register a golf cart, the owner shall present proof of financial responsibility to the Dearborn County Highway Department, and pay the registration fee of $50 to Dearborn County through the Highway Department. The owner must affix the registration sticker issued by the Highway Department upon the back of the golf cart so that it is clearly visible from behind. All registrations expire December 31 of each year. If an owner of a golf cart resides in a municipality that has authorized the operation of golf carts, they shall register their golf cart with that municipality;
(J) At the time of registration, the owner of the golf cart being registered must swear or affirm, under penalties for perjury, that the golf cart they are registering is in compliance with this section. Failure to maintain compliance with this section shall result in penalties in accordance with § 70.99(F);
(K) Monies collected for golf cart registration shall be deposited in the Highway Department MVHA Fund.
(BC Ord. 2015-014, passed 12-15-15)