[Adopted by the Village Board of the Village of Coloma 7-24-2014 by Ord. No. 14-01]
A.
The purpose of this chapter is to provide a means of travel that
is not only convenient and safe, but conserves resources and protects
the environment. Golf carts, if properly used, are an effective way
to travel for short distances within the Village. However, to ensure
the public safety and welfare, the operation of golf carts must not
only comply with normal regulations regarding vehicles, but should
comply with special safety regulations intended to protect the operator
and passengers in a vehicle that is primarily designed for operation
on a golf course or recreational purposes. This chapter establishes
the basic, minimum standards of care to be used by the operators of
golf carts on public roads, streets and highways. Likewise, the public
safety requires that golf carts, used as a means of transportation,
must also meet certain minimum safety standards that can only be assured
through a system of registration and inspection. The registration
and inspection of golf carts is required in order to protect the public
health, safety and welfare.
A.
Allowed. The operation of golf carts on the public streets within
the Village in compliance with the provisions of this chapter shall
be permitted; however, it shall be unlawful to operate any golf cart
that is not properly registered with the Village or operate any golf
cart at any place, time or in any manner not authorized herein.
B.
Exceptions. The operation of golf carts is not subject to the provisions
of this chapter under the following circumstances:
(1)
The operation of golf carts at golf courses, private clubs or on
private property, with the consent of the owner.
(2)
The use of a golf cart in connection with a parade, a festival or
other special event, provided the consent of the sponsor is obtained
and provided such vehicle is only used during such event.
No person who is less than 16 years of age or who does not have
a valid driver's license issued under or granted by the laws
of Wisconsin or some other state may operate a golf cart on any public
street within the Village. For purposes of this section, a learner's
permit shall not be considered as a valid driver's license nor
shall any license that has been revoked, temporary or otherwise, or
suspended for any reason, be considered as a valid driver's license
during the period of suspension or revocation.
A.
Required. No golf cart may be operated on any public street within
the Village unless the golf cart has first been registered with the
Coloma Police Department as required herein. The registration shall
be renewed thereafter in accordance with the provisions of this section.
To evidence the registration, the owner shall be issued an annual
permit which shall be displayed in a prominent, visible place on the
rear fender of the golf cart or at such other place as may be approved
by the Police Department. The permit may contain a registration number
assigned for the particular golf cart and may contain an expiration
date.
B.
Registration fee. A registration fee in the amount of $25 annually,
or such other amount as may be established and adopted by the Village
Board from time to time, as amended, shall be paid to the Village
at the time the application for registration is filed with the Coloma
Police Department or for any renewal of the application.
C.
Application. The application for registration shall be made to the
Coloma Police Chief, or to some other person designated, on forms
provided by the Village. The application may, among other things,
require the owner's name, street address, mailing address, a
phone number, the make, model and identification or serial number
of the golf cart, proof of insurance and such other information as
may be reasonably required as well as a release or disclaimer of liability
by the Village for accidents involving the registered golf cart.
D.
Procedures. The Chief of Police may establish written procedures,
consistent with this chapter, setting out the process and the procedure,
including the form of the application, the checklist for items to
be inspected and the type of sticker, plate or tag evidencing the
issuance of the registration permit.
E.
Inspection. Prior to issuing the initial registration permit or any
renewal thereof, the golf cart shall either be inspected or, in place
of inspection, the Coloma Police Department may require photographs
submitted of the golf cart, to determine that:
(1)
The golf cart is equipped with a rear vision mirror and at least
two red rear reflectors at least three inches in height and width;
(2)
The golf cart is equipped with a reflective "slow moving" sign or
flag on the rear of the cart;
(3)
The brakes provided by the manufacturer of the golf cart are in proper
working order;
(4)
The golf cart has all of the standard safety features provided by
the manufacturer and has not been modified to exceed a speed of 20
miles per hour nor otherwise modified in any way that creates a hazard;
and
(5)
The golf cart is equipped with all mechanical systems and safety
equipment required by this chapter;
(6)
Minimum one headlight/taillight installed so as to not conflict with
oncoming traffics vision.
F.
Denial and revocation. The initial registration of a golf cart may
be denied or subsequently revoked by the Coloma Police Department
if it is determined that:
(1)
The application contains any material misrepresentation;
(2)
Financial responsibility requirements of the State of Wisconsin (liability
insurance) have not been met;
(3)
The golf cart is not in compliance with the requirements set out
above;
(4)
The golf cart has been altered or customized and no longer meets
the definition of a golf cart;
(5)
Equipment supplied by the manufacturer, especially safety equipment,
has been removed from the golf cart or the vehicle identification
or serial number removed; or
(6)
Other good cause shown including repeated violations of this chapter.
G.
Financial responsibility. The owner of the golf cart required to
be registered with the Village for use on public streets of the Village
shall maintain liability insurance in full force and effect and continuously
throughout any period of registration.[1]
H.
Disqualified vehicles. ATVs, four-wheel utility vehicles and other
similar utility vehicles which are not manufactured for operation
on a golf course and golf carts which have been modified so that it
no longer meets the definition of a golf cart may not be registered
as a golf cart nor shall such vehicles be operated on the public roads
within the Village unless such vehicles are otherwise registered with
and allowed under the motor vehicle laws of the State of Wisconsin.
Golf carts shall not be operated on the public streets of the
Village, except in full compliance with the provisions of this section.
A.
Hours of operation. Golf carts may be driven on approved public streets
from sunrise until sunset. Golf carts may not be operated when fog,
smog, smoke or other conditions reduce visibility so that the golf
cart is not visible for a distance of 250 feet.
B.
Streets. Golf carts may not be operated on any of the following streets
or sections of any street except for the sole purpose of crossing
such street at a perpendicular crossing at the designated intersections,
2nd Street/State Road 21 and Slater Street/State Road 21.
(1)
State Hwy 21.
C.
Motor vehicle laws. All laws regarding the use of motor vehicles
in the State of Wisconsin and all ordinances regarding the use of
motor vehicles in the Village, not inconsistent therewith, shall be
observed, except that no golf cart may be operated at a speed in excess
of 20 miles per hour.
D.
Right-of-way. The operator of a golf cart shall yield the right-of-way
to overtaking motor vehicles.
E.
City property and sidewalks. Golf carts shall not be operated on
any sidewalk, pedestrian walkway, jogging path, greenway, park, trail
except for official police business or by Village personnel while
on Village business. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary,
golf carts shall not be operated on property owned or leased by the
Village except with the express written consent of the Public Works
Director and/or Chief of Police and upon the terms and conditions
as may be set forth in such written permission.
F.
Golf cart capacity. The seating capacity (normally no more than four
passengers) shall not be exceeded nor shall the operator or any passenger
be permitted to stand while the golf cart is in operation.
G.
Commercial purposes. Golf carts may not be used as a taxicab or bus
or for the commercial carrying of passengers or the hauling of freight.
H.
Parking. Golf carts may only be parked in the same manner and at
the same places designated for the parking of motor vehicles. The
stopping, standing or parking of golf carts in an area where parking
is not allowed or in any place that impedes the flow of traffic, pedestrian
walkways or a passageway is prohibited.
I.
Towing. Golf carts may not be used for the purpose of towing another
cart, trailer, or vehicle of any kind including a person on roller
skates, skateboard or bicycle.
A.
Disclaimer. Golf carts are not designed for nor manufactured to be
used on public streets and the Village neither advocates nor endorses
the golf cart as a safe means of travel on public streets, roads and
highways. The Village in no way shall be liable for accidents, injuries
or death involving the operation of a golf cart.
B.
Assumption of risk. Any person who owns, operates or rides upon a
golf cart on a public street, road or highway within the Village does
so at his or her own risk and peril and assumes all liability resulting
from the operation of the golf cart.
