Golf Car Use In Small Towns Increasing?

A recent story from Courtland, Kansas highlights the use of golf cars in small towns.  While not legal until the Kansas legislature passed a law earlier this year allowing for local ordinances, local law enforcement often looked the other way as the vehicles proved popular and practical.  Gas prices and  a clear set of rules have helped increase their usage.  The state law also covers utility vehicles and mini-trucks.  This story may be indicative of increasing usage in other states and municipalities that have passed similar ordinances in the past few years.  Learn more:  Salina.com

Road Use Regulations Roundup – May

Some trends in this latest regulation roundup:

• Some cities are expanding road use regulations to include golf cars
• NEV road use ordinances continue to be passed by local municipalities although safety concerns remain an issue for some
• Demand is in increasing for allowing utility vehicles and mini-trucks on public roads
• Another state looking to adopt a medium speed vehicle law

North Carolina – Bill in the state assembly would add Currituck and New Hanover counties to a state law that allows golf cars on streets in several resort communities.

Pontiac, IL – Ordinance being drafted that would allow the use of modified golf cars as NEVs.

Normal, IL – Considering an ordinance allowing the use of NEVs on city streets.

Merrill, WI – City council passed an ordinance allowing the use of NEVs on city streets.

Colorado – House passed a bill that would allow NEVs on public highways.

Palm Desert, CA – Safety concerns have stalled a bill in the state legislature that would broaden the use of NEVs on city streets.

Minnesota – Legislation has passed both the state house and senate that would allow counties to permit the use of mini-trucks, but not on interstate and state highways.

New York – The state DMV issued an opinion that utility vehicles are not allowed on roads or ATV trails unless the law is changed.

New Strawn, KS – City council approved an ordinance that allows work-site utility vehicles and micro utility vehicles to be driven legally on city streets.

Cushing, OK – Passed an ordinance regulating the operation of mini bikes, golf carts, ATVs and utility vehicles on the streets and highways of the city.

Utah – Cities are debating allowing the use of mini-trucks on public roads. Since they are classified as street legal ATVs there is concern about allowing the use of all types of ATVs.

Oregon – Governor has introduced a transportation bill that creates a medium speed vehicle designation aimed at increasing the adoption of NEVs

Road Use Regulations Round Up

This round up features some action in Canada, Wisconsin, Colorado and some other states as well as signs of growing interest in medium speed vehicle regulations.

Grand Chute, WI – Town asking state for help regarding the use of NEVs on some of the many roads under state jurisdiction that criss-cross the city.

Loveland, CO – House Bill 1026, which would allow neighborhood electric vehicles on public highways, passed the Judiciary Committee and will be going to a House vote.

North Vancouver, Canada – City council rejects staff recommendations to wait for additional LSV safety standards before allowing vehicles on roads.

Sedona, AZ - Public transportation commission recommends feasibility study to look at NEVs as a public transportation option.

British Columbia, Canada – Motor vehicle regulations amended to allow incidental use of roads by utility vehicles during their normal off-road use.

Kennebunk, ME - ZAP Xebra three-wheeled truck doesn’t pass registration as a motorcycle and therefore cannot be legally driven. Amendment to address issue in process.

Flower Mound, TX – Transportation commission is urged to look at LSV regulations in anticipation of increased usage of the vehicles.

Denver, CO – State Senate bill aims to create uniform road use regulations for LSVs

South Daytona, FL – After a favorable feasibility study, city officials are moving ahead on allowing golf carts to be used on city streets.

Manitoba, Canada – Manitoba province is looking at enacting similar legislation as Ontario and Quebec to allow LSVs on public roads.

Merrill, WI - City officials are drafting legislation to allow NEVs on public roads with speed limits of 35mph or less

Medium Speed Vehicle Regulations – At the end of February nine states were considering medium speed vehicle laws: Hawaii, New Mexico, Kentucky, New York, Oregon, South Carolina, Georgia and Colorado. Speed limits proposed ranged from 35mph to 50 mph with most at 45 mph. Five states who have already adopted MSEV laws include Washington, Montana, Minnesota, Oklahoma, and Tennessee.

Connecticut – Some State Representatives are pushing to legalize NEVs

LSV/NEV And Golf Cart Safety Concerns

While many municipalities are passing regulations allowing LSV use there is also an undercurrent of safety concerns related to the vehicles.

• NEV safety concerns – A few employees working for the city of Alameda have refused to use NEVs because they believe them to be unsafe.
• Keeping with state law, Elmhurst will not allow the use of neighborhood electric vehicles on its streets. Acting on a recommendation from the Elmhurst Police Department, the Public Affairs and Safety Committee decide Monday that the low-speed, battery-powered vehicles could pose a safety hazard on Elmhurst’s arterial roads.
• In Perry, GA the town council voted to restrict the use of LSVs to subdivisions out of a concern for safety.
• Pawleys Island, South Carolina outlawed the use of low speed vehicles on the island over congestion and safety concerns and to be consistent with a previous ordinance outlawing the use of golf cars on island streets.
• In June Connecticut passed a law outlawing the use of golf carts on public roads unless they are crossing the road to get from one part of the course to another.
• Delaware, OH City council declined to pass legislation that would allow golf carts and LSVs on their roads.