The following terms, wherever used in this Article
VII, shall have the following meanings unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:
GOLF CART
A self-propelled vehicle having at least four wheels, which
is designed to transport persons playing golf and their equipment
on a golf course.
A golf cart shall pass a safety inspection at least once every license year as defined in §
106-34A. Such safety inspection shall be conducted by the City of Crisfield Police Department. Such safety inspection shall cover the following items:
A. Headlights, tail lights and turn signals.
B. Windshield wipers, if the golf cart is equipped with a permanent
windshield; windshield wipers are not required on any golf cart not
equipped with a permanent windshield.
C. Horn, adequate steering gear, brakes, emergency or parking brake,
one rearview mirror, and adequately fixed driver's seat.
D. All other factory installed safety or mechanical systems, including
checking for gasoline or propane leaks.
E. Fuel gauge and speed governor, if the golf cart is gasoline powered.
F. Charge meter, if the golf cart is battery powered.
H. Slow-moving vehicle emblem in conformity with applicable state law.
I. Proof of insurance is required.
It is unlawful to operate a golf cart on a highway, street,
road or public right-of-way within the City unless the following requirements
are met:
A. A golf cart may be operated on a highway, street, road or public
right-of-way located within the municipal limits of the City on which
the maximum posted speed limit does not exceed 30 miles per hour.
[Amended 10-9-2019 by Ord. No. 689]
B. No person may operate a golf cart unless that person possesses a
valid driver's license.
C. A golf cart must be operated in accordance with all applicable state
and local laws and ordinances, including the motor vehicle laws of
the state and all laws, regulations and ordinances pertaining to the
possession and use of alcoholic beverages.
D. Only the number of people the golf cart is designed to seat may ride
on a golf cart. Passengers shall not be carried on the part of the
golf cart designed to carry golf bags.
E. A golf cart shall not be operated when visibility is impaired by
weather, smoke, fog or other conditions.
F. A golf cart may be operated only between dawn and dusk.
G. An operator of a golf cart shall keep the golf cart as far to the
right of the roadway as feasible and must yield to all vehicular and
pedestrian traffic.
H. A golf cart may not be operated on any part of a highway, street
or road which is marked as a dedicated bike lane.
I. Any child who is subject to the child safety seat requirements set
forth in the Transportation Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland,
§ 22-412.2(d), is prohibited from being a passenger in a
golf cart operated on a highway, street, road or public right-of-way
located within the City.
[Amended 10-9-2019 by Ord. No. 689]
J. The Chief of Police, or his designee, may prohibit the operation
of golf carts on any highway if the Chief of Police determines that
the prohibition is necessary and in the interests of public safety.
This article is adopted to address the interests of the public's
health, safety and welfare. Golf carts are not designed or manufactured
to be operated on public streets or roads. The City of Crisfield in
no way advocates or endorses the operation of golf carts on public
streets or roads. The City of Crisfield assumes no liability for permitting
golf carts to be operated on public streets and roads under special
legislation granted by the Maryland General Assembly. All persons
who operate or ride upon golf carts on public streets or roads do
so at their own risk and peril, and must be observant of bicyclists,
pedestrians and other vehicular traffic. Any person who operates a
golf cart is responsible for procuring liability insurance sufficient
to cover the risk involved in using a golf cart on the public streets
and roads.
It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any provision
of this article or any rule or regulation promulgated pursuant to
this article. Unless otherwise provided, each such violation shall
constitute a municipal infraction punishable by a fine of not more
than $250.