Chris Kudner told the Columbia Township Board of Trustees that he is delivering a petition of 100 people who support the legal use of golf carts at Clark Lake.  Acknowledging safety concerns, he suggested a compromise.  Police Chief David Elwell has a different view.  Watch the video to find out more.

 

What’s the current enforcement policy?  Chief Elwell explains.

 

Chief Elwell also pointed to South Haven where they ran a yearlong trial.  The assistant city manager said at the time, nobody seem to have complaints.  But now the complaints are coming in.

A recent check of a poll on this website showed 86% for golf carts on the roads, and 14%, against (308 took the poll).  The chief cautioned that a louder minority may be speaking for a silent majority.  You can take the poll by clicking here.

Michigan law now makes it possible for local government to allow golf carts to operate legally on roads and streets. There are a number of restrictions, including those listed below.

  • A person shall not operate a golf cart on any street unless he or she is at least 16 years old and is licensed to operate a motor vehicle.
  • The operator of a golf cart shall comply with the signal requirements of section 648 that apply to the operation of a vehicle.
  • A person operating a golf cart upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or a vehicle proceeding in the same direction.
  • A person operating a golf cart shall not pass between lines of traffic, but may pass on the left of traffic moving in his or her direction in the case of a 2-way street or on the left or right of traffic in the case of a 1-way street, in an unoccupied lane.
  • A golf cart shall not be operated on a sidewalk constructed for the use of pedestrians.
  • A golf cart shall be operated at a speed not to exceed 15 miles per hour and shall not be operated on a state trunk line highway or a highway or street with a speed limit of more than 30 miles per hour except to cross that state trunk line highway or highway or street. A village, city, or township may, by resolution, designate roads or classifications of roads for use by golf carts under this subsection.
  • A golf cart shall not be operated on a state trunk line highway or the streets of a city, village, or township during the time period from 1/2 hour before sunset to 1/2 hour after sunrise.
  • A person operating a golf cart or who is a passenger in a golf cart is not required to wear a crash helmet.

A village, city, or township may require a golf cart registered within its jurisdiction to meet any or all of the following vehicle safety requirements of a low-speed vehicle for approval under this section:

  • At least 2 headlamps that comply with section 685.
  • At least 1 tail lamp that complies with section 686.
  • At least 1 stop lamp and 1 lamp or mechanical signal device that comply with sections 697 and 697b.
  • At least 1 red reflector on each side of the golf cart as far to the rear as practicable and 1 red reflector on the rear of the golf cart as required for low-speed vehicles by 49 CFR 571.500.
  • One exterior mirror mounted on the driver’s side of the golf cart and either 1 exterior mirror mounted on the passenger side of the golf cart or 1 interior mirror as required for low-speed vehicles by 49 CFR 571.500.
    Brakes and a parking brake that comply with section 704.
  • A horn that complies with section 706.
  • A windshield that complies with section 708a.
  • A manufacturer’s identification number permanently affixed to the frame of the golf cart.
  • Safety belts that comply with section 710a and that are used as required by section 710e.
  • The crash helmet requirements applicable to low-speed vehicles under section 658b.
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