The purpose of this chapter shall be to establish a golf cart ordinance within the Township to promote the health, safety and welfare of persons operating golf carts within the Township and to protect the safety of their passengers and other users of roads.
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Board of the Township of Egelston 12-20-2021. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. III)]
For the purpose of this section, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:
A valid license issued to operate a motor vehicle issued by the state of Michigan or any other state.
A vehicle designed and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting or recreational purposes and that is not capable of exceeding 15 miles per hour.
A reflective orange triangle sign bordered with red that warns other road users that the vehicle displaying the sign is traveling slower than the normal speed of traffic.
This chapter is to establish guidance in the interest of public safety.
A.
Golf carts must cross in a manner that is the most direct route in order to decrease crossing distance.
B.
Any person who operates a golf cart must be at least 16 years of age. No person may operate a golf cart unless that person is licensed to drive upon the public streets, roads, and highways of Michigan, and then only in accordance with such valid driver's license. Golf cart operators must carry their driver's license on their person at all times while operating a golf cart on public roads.
C.
Any person who operates a golf cart on a public road must adhere to all applicable state and local laws, regulations and ordinances, including, but not limited to, those banning the possession and use of alcoholic beverages and all other illegal drugs. In addition, no golf cart containing any open container of alcohol shall be operated on public roads.
D.
The operator of the golf cart shall comply with all traffic rules and regulations adopted by the State of Michigan and the Township which governs the operation of motor vehicles.
E.
An operator may not allow the number of people in the golf cart at any one time to exceed the maximum capacity specified by the manufacturer. The operator shall not allow passengers to ride on any part of a golf cart not designed to carry passengers, such as the part of the golf cart designed to carry golf bags.
F.
In no instance shall a golf cart be operated at a speed greater than 15 miles per hour. No golf cart may be operated at a speed greater than reasonable and prudent for the existing conditions.
G.
Golf carts must be operated at the right edge of the roadway and must yield to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
H.
Golf carts must park in designated spaces in such a manner that multiple golf carts can utilize the space. All parking rules and limits apply. Golf carts may not be parked on sidewalks.
I.
Golf carts must have basic equipment supplied by the manufacturer, including a vehicle identification or serial number. Such equipment must include all safety devices as installed by said manufacturer. Additionally, the golf cart and its operator must meet signal requirements of Section 648 of the Michigan Motor Vehicle Code.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See MCLA 257.648.
J.
Golf carts may not be operated 1/2 hour before sunset to 1/2 hour after sunrise.
K.
Golf carts are prohibited from operating on Apple Avenue (M-46), Maple Island Road, Hall Road from Marion Street to Maple Island Road and Brooks Road from Evanston Avenue to MacArthur Road.
L.
Golf carts are required to have a solid orange banner, which is at least six inches by 12 inches and mounted within 10 inches of the top of a "whip." The "whip" is a pole, rod, or antenna mounted on the back of the golf cart and extending at least eight feet from the surface of the ground. The "whip" must stand upright when the golf cart is stationary. Also, a slow moving vehicle sign is required to be displayed on the rear of the golf cart.
A.
Before driving on public roads, the operator of a golf cart must have a valid driver's license issued by the State of Michigan or any other state.
B.
All golf carts must meet the requirements or minimum standards as set forth above in this chapter.
C.
A court may order any person to pay full restitution for any damage to the environment, a road, or public property damage as a result of any violation of this chapter.
Violation of the provisions of this chapter shall constitute a civil infraction.