(A) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context indicates or requires a different meaning.
DRIVER'S LICENSE. A valid license to operate a motor vehicle issued by the State of Indiana or any other state.
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. Liability insurance coverage on a golf cart in an amount not less than required by Indiana law for motor vehicles operated on the public highways in the State of Indiana.
GOLF CART. A four wheeled motor vehicle originally and specifically designed and intended to transport one or more individuals and golf clubs for the purpose of playing the game of golf on a golf course. The vehicles may be powered by a battery or internal combustion motor and shall have an unloaded weight of not more than 1,500 pounds.
OPERATE or OPERATION. To exercise any control over the function or movement of a golf cart.
ROADWAYS. The entire width between the boundary lines of every public way maintained when any part of the way is open to use of the public for the purpose of vehicular traffic within the corporate limits of the City of Winchester. The term includes, but is not necessarily limited to, streets, alleys, roads, highways and thoroughfares.
STATE HIGHWAY. Any street under the control of and maintained by the State of Indiana.
(B) Registration.
(1) All golf carts being operated within the city limits of the City of Winchester must be registered with the city.
(2) Registration is a one-time registration of $50 and will not transfer with change of ownership. The new owner must re-register the golf cart.
(3) The registration sticker must be placed on the rear left side of the golf cart above the bumper and below the taillight.
(4) The Winchester Police Department is charged with the registration of golf carts. The Police Department shall also maintain records of registration of golf carts.
(5) Before issuing registration, the owner/operator must show financial responsibility and written proof of insurance must be carried within the golf cart or on the operator, any time the golf cart is in operation within the city limits.
(6) Before registration is issued, the owner/operator must show a valid driver's license to operate a motor vehicle upon the roadway of the city.
(C) Proper equipment. Golf carts being operated within the city must be equipped with each of the following:
(1) Brakes capable of deceleration at the rate of 14 feet per second;
(2) A horn in good working order and capable of emitting a sound audible under normal conditions for a distance of not less than 200 feet;
(3) At least two headlamps on the front of the golf cart, located at a height not less than 24 inches and not more than 54 inches above the roadway;
(4) At least one tail lamp that emits a red light plainly visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear, located not less than 20 inches or more than 72 inches from the roadway;
(5) Two red reflectors carried on the rear either as part of the tail lamps or separately, mounted at a height not less than 20 inches and not more than 60 inches, and visible from a distance of 100 to 600 feet to the rear when illuminated by the upper beams of head lamps;
(6) Stop lamps displaying a red or amber light, activated upon application of the foot brake, and visible from a distance of at least 100 feet to the rear of the vehicle;
(7) A muffler (if not an electric-powered golf cart) free from exhaust gas leaks, that is in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive noise;
(8) A rearview mirror that reflects to the driver a view of the road for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of the golf cart;
(9) Rubber tires that are free from cracks and/or long-term wear; and
(10) Signage properly identifying the vehicle as a "slow moving vehicle."
(D) Operation.
(1) Only persons over 16 years of age with a valid driver's license may operate golf carts in the city.
(2) All golf carts shall obey all of the rules of the road, state laws and local ordinances.
(3) There shall be no golf cart traffic permitted on any state highway located within the city, specifically Indiana State Road 32 and United States Highway 27. However, golf carts may cross these state highways at right angles (90 degrees) only.
(4) Golf cart traffic shall be prohibited on the following city streets: any city street with a speed limit greater than 20 miles per hour.
(5) No golf carts shall be allowed to travel on city sidewalks or in any area specifically designated for pedestrians or bicycles.
(6) A golf cart may not under any circumstances be operated on walking paths, grass rights-of- way, private property (unless the owner of the private property consents).
(7) The number of occupants in a golf cart shall not exceed the number of persons for whom factory seating is installed and provided on the golf cart.
(8) 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 in motion.
(9) 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.
(10) Golf carts must be designed so that their maximum speed will not exceed 35 miles per hour.
(11) All golf carts must comply with posted parking restrictions and are subject to the same penalties as automobiles when parked illegally. To be parked legally on a public street, the cart must be parked parallel to and on the right side of the street and in the same direction as traffic is designated to flow.
(12) Operators of golf carts not equipped with operational turn signals shall give continuous hand signal for a minimum of 200 feet of their intention to turn off of the street they are traveling.
(Ord. 2008-9, passed 7-7-08; Am. Ord. 2017-6, passed 6-19-17; Am. Ord. 2020-12, passed 1-18-21) Penalty, see § 70.99