City of Excelsior Springs, MO Chapter 387 Golf Carts and Motorized Wheelchairs

Section 387.010 Definitions.

[Ord. No. 13-08-05, 8-5-2013]

The following words and phrases when used in this Chapter shall have the meaning set out herein:

CITY

The corporate limits of the City of Excelsior Springs, Missouri.

STREETS AND ALLEYS

Those roadways that have been accepted or platted by the City of Excelsior Springs, Missouri as public streets and alley ways.

GOLF CART

Any vehicle propelled by an electric or gasoline engine with no less than three (3) wheels in contact with the ground and is designed and manufactured for the operation on a golf course for sporting or recreational purposes and that is not capable of exceeding speeds of twenty (20) miles per hour.

Section 387.020 Regulations and Operations.

[Ord. No. 13-08-05, 8-5-2013]

A. No person shall operate a golf cart or motorized wheelchair in a careless or imprudent manner, or in any negligent manner which endangers any person or property, or unreasonably obstructs, hinders or impedes lawful course of travel of any other motor vehicle, or the lawful use by any pedestrian of public streets, sidewalks, paths, trails, walkways or parks.

B. Every person operating a golf cart on the public streets of the City shall be subject to all of the duties and regulations applicable to a driver of a motor vehicle imposed by law, specifically including, but not limited to, those laws pertaining to the possession and use of drugs and alcoholic beverages, and operating a motor vehicle under the influence thereof.

C. A golf cart may be operated only on a designated public street where the posted speed limit is thirty-five (35) miles per hour or less. No golf cart or motorized wheelchair shall cross any highway or street at an intersection where the highway or street being crossed has a posted speed limit of more than forty-five (45) miles per hour.

D. No golf cart or motorized wheelchair may be operated on any numbered Federal or State highway, except to cross at the intersection of a City street in accordance with traffic controls.

E. No golf cart may be operated upon any private property without permission of the property owner.

F. No golf cart may be operated on any sidewalk, path or walkway designated for use by pedestrians or operators of non-motorized vehicles.

G. No person under eighteen (18) years of age shall operate any golf cart on any public street or alley.

H. Any individual operating a golf cart upon a public street shall have a valid operator's license in their possession.

I. Every golf cart operated on a public street shall display a slow-moving emblem in conformity with Section 307.127, RSMo., or a bicycle safety flag which extends not less than seven (7) feet above the ground, attached to the rear of the vehicle; the flag shall be day-glow colored and shall be triangular shaped, with an area not less than thirty (30) square inches.

J. Golf carts operated upon public streets shall be equipped with at least one rear view mirror, and shall only be operated during daytime hours between sunrise and sunset unless properly equipped with operational headlights, taillights, brake lights and mechanical turn signals. Headlights, taillights and brake lights must emit light visible at night under normal atmospheric conditions on a straight, level, unlighted roadway at five hundred (500) feet.

K. Golf carts operating on City streets pursuant to this Chapter shall be insured by a policy of insurance with coverage of not less than the statutory minimum established by the Missouri Department of Revenue for motor vehicles operating on the streets and highways of the State of Missouri. Such proof of insurance shall specifically list the vehicle as referenced by the serial or VIN number and year of model; and such proof of insurance shall be carried with the vehicle, and produced upon request of any Law Enforcement Officer.

L. Only the number of people the golf cart is designed to seat may ride on any golf cart. No passengers shall ride in the utility bed or the bag well of a golf cart unless such areas is properly equipped with a permanently mounted seat specifically designed for the carrying of passengers. No more than two (2) total persons per bench seat shall be allowed.

M. No operator of a golf cart shall carry passengers that are less than sixteen (16) years of age unless the operator is the legal guardian of such passenger(s).

N. The limitations of this Section shall not apply to golf carts being operated to the extent necessary for local government employees, operating upon roadways within the City, to fulfill a governmental purpose.

Section 387.030 Penalty for Violation.

[Ord. No. 13-08-05, 8-5-2013]

A violation of the provisions of this Chapter shall be deemed an ordinance traffic violation, punishable by a fine of no more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) and/or incarceration of up to thirty (30) days in jail.