Golf Carts On Downtown Streets? Woodstock Leaders Review Proposal

WOODSTOCK, GA -- Finding alternative modes of transportation has been all the rage over the last several years, as many of us are growing weary of jumping behind the wheel of a vehicle only to just sit in traffic before reaching our destinations.

This latest out-of-the-box thinking was unveiled Monday evening before the Woodstock City Council, which reviewed an ordinance that would allow motorized golf carts on certain streets. Under the ordinance, motorized golf carts would be defined as vehicles with no less than three wheels, weigh 1,300 pounds or less and do not exceed a speed of 20 miles per hour.

While the state does provide some regulation for motorized golf carts, the city notes the precise regulation of those vehicles on local streets is left up to cities and counties to map out.

Dakota Carruthers, the intern attending the University of West Georgia who presented the draft ordinance, said the city is considering the change because people are already driving golf carts around downtown Woodstock. The changes in city code, she added, will give the city the opportunity to designate certain streets as well as outline safety issues to minimize the risk of injuries due to ejections and rollovers.

The golf carts would be allowed on streets that have a posted speed limit of 25 miles per hour or less, a designation applauded by Police Chief Calvin Moss. While that mainly consists of the downtown area and some subdivision streets, Carruthers said city staff will join forces with the police department to get a complete mapping of roads that could qualify.

Other rules include prohibiting drivers from carrying more passengers than there are seatbelts and requiring safety features such as a braking system, audible reverse warning alarm, main power switch, head lamps, reflectors, tail lamps, review mirrors, safety warning labels, hip restrains, hand holds and seat belts. An age restriction for drivers as well as passengers would also be imposed.

Councilman Bud Leonard questioned if the city needed such an ordinance, adding he didn't want to see a situation where golf carts would be allowed to stroll down Main Street in the thick of rush-hour traffic.

That would be the perfect time for golf carts to ride along Main Street since traffic won't be moving as fast, added Councilman David Potts.

“We need to have an ordinance in place," he added.

City Manager Jeff Moon also pointed to an accident involving a child as a prime example of why regulations need to be in place citywide. An 11-year-old child was operating a golf cart in a subdivision when the vehicle overturned. That child's younger sibling, who was around 6 at the time, was injured and had to be transported to an area hospital for treatment.

Councilman Rob Usher said he liked the idea of including safety mechanisms as part of the ordinance.

"I’d like to be able to take one from my side of the interstate to downtown," the Deer Run resident noted.

Councilman Warren Johnson said he felt like allowing golf carts on city streets will be what makes Woodstock "unique." Since they are becoming part of the downtown landscape, Johnson said the city should take the initiative in managing their uses in an appropriate fashion.

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