A person may operate a golf cart on city streets, subject to the following restrictions:
(A) A person shall not operate a golf cart on any street unless he or she is at least 16 years old and is licensed to operate a motor vehicle.
(B) The operator of a golf cart shall comply with the signal requirements of M.C.L.A. § 257.648, as amended, that apply to the operation of a vehicle.
(C) All golf carts are required to have a red reflector on the rear of the golf cart that shall be visible from distances up to 500 feet when in front of lawful low beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle.
(D) The operator of a golf cart shall obey all sections pertaining to traffic in the Michigan Vehicle Code and the Uniform Traffic Code.
(E) A person operating a golf cart upon a street shall ride as near to the right side of the street as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction.
(F) A person shall not operate a golf cart on a state trunk line highway except to cross that state trunk line highway.
(G) Where a usable and designated path for golf carts is provided adjacent to a road or street, a person operating a golf cart shall be required to use that path. A golf cart shall not be operated on a sidewalk constructed for the use of pedestrians.
(H) A person operating a golf cart shall not pass between lines of traffic, but may pass on the left of traffic moving in his or her direction in the case of a two-way street, or on the left or right of traffic, in an unoccupied lane, in the case of a one-way street.
(I) A golf cart shall be operated at a speed not to exceed 15 miles per hour and shall not be operated on a street with a speed limit of more than 35 miles per hour except to cross that street.
(J) A golf cart shall not be operated on the streets of the city from the time period beginning one-half hour before sunset and ending one-half hour after sunrise.
(K) An operator or a passenger in a golf cart is not required to wear a crash helmet.
(L) A golf cart shall not be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed.
(M) A golf cart operated on a street of the city is not required to be registered under the Michigan Vehicle Code for purposes of section 3101 of the Insurance Code of 1956, 1956 PA 218, M.C.L.A. § 500.3101, as amended.
(N) A golf cart shall not be operated during weather events with snow and/or ice on the ground.
(O) Golf carts shall not be operated on a road or street in a negligent manner, endangering any person or property, or obstructing, or impeding the lawful course of travel of any motor vehicle or the lawful use by any pedestrian of public streets, sidewalks, paths, trails, walkways or parks.
(P) The parking, stopping, and standing regulations provided in the city code, which may be adopted by reference therein, shall also apply to golf carts operated in the city, as if they are motor vehicles under those provisions.
(Q) This section does not apply to a police officer, city officials, employees, contractors or volunteers operating a golf cart in the performance of city duties.
(Ord. 2019-014, passed 11-21-2019)