The operation of a golf cart within the City of Madison is strictly prohibited unless the golf cart is operated and equipped in full compliance with this section. Golf carts may be operated on city streets except as restricted below.
(A) A golf cart shall not cross Clifty Drive at any point.
(B) Golf carts shall not be operated on Michigan Hill Road between Milton Street and Autumnwood Lane.
(C) Golf carts may not be operated on State Roads 56, 62, or 7, U.S. Highway 421, Main Street in downtown Madison running from the intersection of Jefferson Street to the top of Hanover Hill where the road reconnects with State Road 56, or any federal highway at any time. Golf carts may cross Clifty Drive at the intersections of Wilson Avenue and Cragmont Street. Golf carts may cross Main Street only at intersections controlled by automatic stop lights. Additionally, golf carts may cross Highway 421 at a right angle at the intersection of Walnut Street and Aulenbach Avenue and cross Highway 7 at a right angle at the intersection of Orchard Street and Green Road.
(D) Operators of golf carts shall at all times yield the right-of-way to faster moving traffic, and may not impede the regular flow of traffic.
(E) Golf carts shall not be operated on streets and highways of the City of Madison, Indiana during one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise unless the golf cart is equipped with two operating headlights (one on each side of the front of the golf cart) and two operating tail lights with brake lights (one on each side of the rear of the golf cart) which are visible from a distance of 500 feet.
(F) Operators of golf carts not equipped with operating turn signals, shall give a continuous hand signal for a minimum of 200 feet of their intention to turn off of the street they are traveling.
(G) Golf carts shall be identified as slow moving vehicles by a state approved triangular slow moving vehicle sign with the top of the sign positioned a minimum of five feet and a maximum of six feet above the road surface and clearly visible at all times while being operated on city streets.
(H) Golf carts shall not be operated on city sidewalks or city walking paths, including but not limited to, Heritage Trail.
(I) The number of occupants in a golf cart shall be limited to the number of persons for whom factory seating is installed and provided on the golf cart.
(J) The operator and all occupants shall be seated in the golf cart and no part of the body of the operator or occupant shall extend outside the perimeter of the golf cart while the golf cart is in motion.
(K) Only persons over 16 years of age and holding a driver’s license may operate a golf cart.
(L) The operator of the golf cart shall comply with all traffic rules and regulations adopted by the State of Indiana and the City of Madison which govern the operation of motor vehicles.
(M) Beginning January 1, 2010, all golf carts operated on the city streets of the City of Madison shall be registered with the City of Madison and bear a registration sticker. The city shall collect a fee for said registration, which shall be set from time to time by the Board of Public Works and Safety. The City of Madison will provide a copy of the golf cart rules and regulations to the golf cart owners at the time the annual permit is issued.
(N) The financial ability of the operator or owner notwithstanding, the operator of a golf cart must show financial responsibility when operating a golf cart.
(O) Written proof of financial responsibility must be available either on the golf cart or carried by the operator at all times.
(P) Liability insurance coverage on a golf cart shall be in an amount not less than the minimum required by Indiana law for motor vehicles operated on public highways in the State of Indiana.
(Ord. 2009-10, passed 8-18-09; Am. Ord. 2020-8, passed 6-16-20; Am. Ord. 2021-4, passed 5-4-21) Penalty, see § 70.99