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Friday, November 09, 2007

Ind. Law - Yet more on golf carts in Greene County

Updating this ILB entry from Oct. 12th, Timberly Ferree of the Green County Daily World reported Wednesday:

Golf carts on the streets of Bloomfield once again dominated much of the discussion during the Bloomfield Town Council's meeting on Wednesday night.

The town of Bloomfield currently has an ordinance that prohibits golf carts from being driven in town.

Town attorney John Rowe was called on by Council President Eric Harrah to explain the legalities of the golf cart issue.

Rowe said, "Golf carts do not appear to qualify as vehicles that can be operated on public streets."

He added that state statute allows low-speed vehicles to be driven on streets if they meet certain criteria such as speed and safety and are licensed and titled but golf carts do not fall under these guidelines.

"The town has the power to regulate or prohibit low-speed vehicles but a golf cart is not a low-speed vehicle," Rowe stressed.

In attendance was newly-elected Council member Jo Ann Carmichael, who noted other communities in the county permit golf carts to be driven on the streets.

She also asked if there was anyway to make golf carts legal in the town of Bloomfield.

Rowe replied, "I don't think that's an option."

Low-speed statutes specifically say that golf carts do not qualify and it may be that some communities look the other way, Rowe added. But, these laws are recent and are evolving.

Harrah joined the discussion by noting that some communities may have permitted golf carts to be driven in town prior to the passing of such statutes.

"It's frustrating," he added--noting that scooters can legally be driven on the streets by 15 year-olds, but golf carts cannot be driven on the streets by anyone.

Check here for a long list of ILB entries detailing how golf cart issues are being addressed in communities around the State. As the population ages and the use of golf carts as "around town" transportation continues to expand, this issue may need a state-wide solution.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on November 9, 2007 08:00 AM
Posted to Indiana Law