This article is to establish guidance in the interest of public safety. Golf carts hereinafter:
(A) Shall not be operated on, or alongside, a public road, or street, with a posted speed limit greater than 35 mph or higher;
(B) May cross a road with a posted speed limit greater than 35 mph. However, once this segment of road has been transversed, the golf cart is still required to travel only on, or along, a roadway with a speed limit of 35 mph or less;
(C) Any person who operates a golf cart must be responsible for all liability associated with operation of the golf cart, and must have liability insurance coverage which will cover the use of a golf cart in an amount not less than required by state law for motor vehicles operated on public highways in the state;
(D) Any person who operates a golf cart must be at least 16 years of age, or older. No person may operate a golf cart unless that person is licensed to drive upon the public streets, roads, and highways of the state, and then only in accordance with such valid driver’s license issued to him or her by the state. Golf cart operators must carry their driver’s license on their person at all times while operating a golf cart on public roads;
(E) Any person who operates a golf cart on public streets and roads must adhere to all applicable state and local laws, regulations, and ordinances, including, but not limited to, those banning the possession, and use, of alcoholic beverages, and all other illegal drugs. In addition, no golf cart containing any open container of alcohol shall be operated on public roads;
(F) The operator of the golf cart shall comply with all traffic rules and regulations adopted by the state and the town which governs the operation of motor vehicles;
(G) Golf carts are allowed to park in handicapped parking spaces if the driver, or at least one passenger, has a valid handicap-parking sticker displayed on the golf cart;
(H) An operator may not allow the number of people in the golf cart, at any one time, to exceed the maximum capacity specified by the manufacturer. The operator shall not allow passengers to ride on any part of a golf cart not designed to carry passengers, such as the part of the golf cart designed to carry golf bags;
(I) In no instance shall a golf cart be operated at a speed greater than 20 mph. No golf cart may be operated at a speed greater than reasonable, and prudent, for the existing conditions;
(J) Golf carts must be operated at the right edge of the roadway, and must yield to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic;
(K) Golf carts may only be operated between sunrise and sunset; and
(L) If a golf cart is not equipped with brake lights or turn signals, the operator must use standard hand signals to signal stopping and turning.
(Ord. 31-2012, passed 8-20-2012)