When used in this article the following terms are defined as
follows:
City.
The City of Buda, Texas.
Driver’s license.
An authorization issued by the department of public safety
for operation of a motor vehicle. The term includes a temporary license
or instruction permit and an occupational license.
Golf cart.
Shall have the meaning assigned by the Texas Transportation
Code 502.001, as amended, and means a motor vehicle commonly referred
to as a golf cart which must have a minimum of four wheels and has
an attainable top speed not greater than 25 miles per hour on a paved
level surface and which is manufactured primarily for transporting
persons on a golf course and in compliance with those federal motor
vehicle safety standards for low-speed vehicles. Specifically excluded
from this definition are those motorized conveyances commonly referred
to as all-terrain vehicles (“ATVs”), off-road vehicles,
four-wheelers, Mules, Gators and design-altered golf carts which have
been altered to allow them to travel at a speed greater than 25 miles
per hour.
Nighttime.
Shall have the meaning assigned by Texas Transportation Code
541.401(5) and means the period beginning one-half hour after sunset
and ending one-half hour before sunrise.
Operator.
Any person driving and having physical control over the golf
cart.
Park or parking.
The standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, other
than temporarily for the purpose of, and while actually engaged in,
loading or unloading merchandise or passengers.
Street.
A public roadway of the city by whatever name (e.g., road,
alley, avenue, highway, route, boulevard, etc.) that:
(1)
Provides for no more than two lanes of vehicular traffic per
direction; or
(2)
Is not designated as part of either the state or federal highway
system.
(Ordinance 2014-25 adopted 11/12/14)
Golf carts are permitted to be operated on:
(1) Streets (“permitted streets”) where the posted speed
limit is 35 miles per hour or less, and the street is not designated
as part of a state highway system, including Interstate Highway 35,
FM 1626, FM 967, FM 2770;
(2) A parking area as defined by this article.
(Ordinance 2014-25 adopted 11/12/14)
(a) All operators of golf carts on public roadways shall:
(1) Be licensed to operate a motor vehicle as provided by Texas Transportation
Code, 521.021, as amended, and carry a valid driver’s license
as provided by Texas Transportation Code, 521.025, and all driver’s
license permissions and restrictions shall apply to the operating
of a golf cart; abide by all traffic regulations applicable to vehicular
traffic when operating a golf cart in the city;
(2) Use standard hand signals for turning during daylight if the operator’s
golf cart is not equipped with turn signals;
(3) Not operate or park a golf cart on a sidewalk, pedestrian walkway,
jogging path or park trail;
(4) Not pull any object or person with a golf cart in a permitted location;
(5) Not intentionally or knowingly allow an unlicensed or unregistered
operator to operate a golf cart in violation of this chapter;
(6) Not exceed the seating capacity of the golf cart as designed by the
manufacturer;
(7) Be allowed to cross streets which are otherwise not permitted under
this article.
(b) Operators and passengers of golf carts shall:
(1) Remain seated at all times while the golf cart is in motion;
(2) Be three years old or older.
(Ordinance 2014-25 adopted 11/12/14)
(a) A golf cart must be equipped with the following equipment as mandated
by the Texas Transportation Code, Section 551.404(a), as amended,
and/or required by the city to operate on permitted locations:
(2) Operational parking brake; and
(b) A golf cart that is operated in the city shall display a slow-moving-vehicle
emblem when it is operated on a public roadway.
(c) Additionally, golf carts driven during the nighttime shall be equipped
with the following:
(6) Equipment and its installation must meet standards provided by Texas
Transportation Code, as amended.
(d) All such safety equipment shall be maintained as required by state
law.
(Ordinance 2014-25 adopted 11/12/14)
Any person who violates this chapter shall be guilty of a misdemeanor
punishable by a fine not to exceed three hundred dollars ($300.00).
(Ordinance 2014-25 adopted 11/12/14)