Vinton City Council set for final vote on golf cart ordinance

Soon, it will be illegal to take corners on two wheels while driving a golf cart within Vinton city limits.

The golf cart ordinance under consideration also prohibits tire squealing and other “careless” operation of golf carts on city streets, although most of it covers much more mundane details.

The council has been discussing Chapter 77, the golf cart ordinance, for a few months, hearing from public safety officials as well as golf cart drivers and those who have safety concerns about the carts sharing the road with automobiles and other vehicles. It has approved the first two readings of the ordinance; the third and final reading is on the agenda for Thursday’s council meeting.

Most of the ordinance is dedicated to more mundane regulations, although the paragraph entitled “Careless Operations Unlawful” does prohibit racing, unnecessary tire squealing, or “causing a wheel to unnecessarily lose contact with the ground,” abrupt turning and swaying of the vehicles.

The council heard from – and includes – people who are concerned about allowing golf carts to share city streets with vehicles that are several times heavier. But many people in Vinton have been driving them regularly, to save money on gas as well as for convenience.

To address safety concerns while allowing golf carts, the city council has crafted an ordinance that defines who can drive a golf cart legally, how many people can ride one, and where the carts are and are not allowed. It also sets an annual $25 permit fee for each cart, and requires owners to have proof of liability insurance.

The ordinance requires drivers to have a valid driver’s license, obey all traffic laws, and prohibits driving a golf cart while intoxicated. It also bans the driving of golf carts on Highways 218 and 150, as well as 4th Street East (The Boulevard) between 3rd and 9th Streets, although drivers are allowed to directly cross those streets. Sidewalks are also off limits under the ordinance, as well as towing anything with a golf cart or trespassing on private property.

The ordinance also limits the number of passengers – two per seat. It also requires a slow-moving vehicle sign and a bicycle flag that rises at least 5 feet above the surface of the street, and requires children to be accompanied by an adult driver. The council earlier debated whether to allow 16-year-olds to drive golf carts before settling on a minimum age of 18. The carts are only allowed during daylight hours, between sunrise and sunset.

The ordinance, if the council approves its third reading, will go into effect after its publication.

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BH May 11, 2016, 1:20 pm Why a $25 permit every year? That has nothing to do with safety concerns at all. Just another way to dip into our pockets.

LG May 11, 2016, 5:58 pm They\'re worried about golf carts sharing the road with vehicles much \"heavier\" why is that a concern? What\'s the difference of bicycle sharing the road with vehicles much \"heavier\" or a lawn mower driving down the street or the people we see in electric wheelchairs driving down the side of the road.

JT May 11, 2016, 7:17 pm Sounds exactly like the existing ordinance that has been around for years, except the annual permit requirement. And, why prohibit 16 year olds in the new version? They\'re old enough to drive a car, but not a golf cart?

MD May 11, 2016, 8:53 pm What , and why do we need to pay a fee , We are required to have insurance, the Slow moving marker, and a Flag. Did our council check other town\'s ordinance\'s ? Would appreciate a reply by a council person.

BR May 13, 2016, 6:18 pm I think the city is being too kind. The $25 permit binds the operator to a legally enforceable agreement. As does the insurance requirement. Only a moron needs to be told to keep the golf cart on 4 wheels in any location. This permit protects the city for the first serious incident of injury. Sadly, that\'s likely only a matter of time. After that first incident, the next ordinance will be the banning of them. I\'d rather those using them pay the $25 and not me not paying even more through my property taxes after the injury lawsuits are settled. I will gladly pay the $25 for the permit as well. A 16 year old is legally a minor. All kinds of additional issues can arise from that, especially involving injuries. The city should be allowed to protect itself from morons acting irresponsibly and from simple accidents, all of which put the city of Vinton at risk for lawsuits.

Government : Vinton City Council set for final vote on golf cart ordinance

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