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Thursday, October 11, 2007

Ind. Law - "Golf carts haven't caused many problems in Worthington"

Another golf cart story. Timberly Ferree reported Tuesday in the Green County Daily World:

Golf cart use in the town of Worthington is permitted on its streets with few restrictions and minimal problems.

Worthington Town Council President Hal Harp explained, "We have a policy that if the operator of the golf cart is of legal driving age they are allowed to operate a golf cart and of course all the rules of the road must be met. The reason that we ask people to be 16 or older is because they have in most cases a valid driver's license."

Last week, the Bloomfield Town Council discussed possibly allowing golf carts, but council members want to look into the legal matters further before making a decision. [See Oct. 3 ILB entry here]

Overall, there have been few problems with golf cart use in Worthington, Harp added.

"Every now and then we'll have someone operating a golf cart that is not old enough and if they are seen by a policeman they would be told that they're not allowed to operate that particular golf cart," Harp explained.

But the verbal warnings are minimal and seem to work.

There have been a few instances in which four or five kids have been riding on one golf cart, he added.

"But that has only happened a handful of times."

Most golf cart users in Worthington are also older in age.

"There are quite a few older people in Worthington and we felt that the golf cart is an economical and safe way for them to get around," Harp stressed.

Golf cart use in town is rarely addressed at a council meeting, he noted.

"At the last council meeting one person felt a golf cart was in an inappropriate place," he said. "We don't have violations. Most people that have them are very responsible and use them for going to the park or driving around town."

Harp is also an owner of a golf cart.

"I have one and my wife who doesn't drive drives the golf cart," he said.

Overall, golf carts are useful for many people, he said.

"They are handy for people who are old enough to drive," Harp explained. "There are several (people) that probably have difficulty walking (who use them)."

Golf carts are also very environmental friendly, he added. They can have gas or electric motors.

Both kinds can be seen around the town of Worthington, he added.

Common sense goes along way when driving a golf cart, Harp noted.

"There are people that don't have lighting on their golf carts so they don't operate them during hours they can't see," he explained.

In general, there are more problems with four-wheelers in town, Harp stressed.

"We have more problems with licensed four-wheelers than golf carts."

Drivers of four-wheelers sometimes run stop signs, speed and pop wheelies, he said.

Four-wheelers are unlike golf carts in that they must be registered with the state, Harp explained.

"The only problem I can see is if some issue is raised and someone says they (golf carts) are illegal," he added.

It is illegal to drive golf carts on state highways. Both State Roads 67 and 157 run through the town of Worthington, Harp said. Golf carts cannot be driven on these highways.

"Although if you drive around town (in a golf cart) you do have to cross them (highways)," he added.

The town charges no registration fee for golf cart use, Harp added.

Worthington Town Marshal Dennis Conaway explained, "Golf carts ... we really don't have an issue as long as they're (drivers) responsible."

In general, if there is a problem with a golf cart in town, just speaking with the driver or a parent is enough to correct the problem, Conaway added.

"There's no state statute on golf carts," he stressed, noting that hopefully the state will soon do so.

"But now talking with people one on one seems to work," he added.

Conaway agreed that most Worthington residents who use golf carts are older-aged people.

In general, as long as golf carts stay off the highways, are not driven by children and the rules of the road are followed then there is no trouble, he said.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on October 11, 2007 10:19 AM
Posted to Indiana Law