Zooming

There is a  new county law regarding operation of golf carts  on pubic roads.

At its August 7 meeting, the Goochland Board of Supervisors unanimously approved an ordinance that creates a mechanism for permitting golf carts and utility vehicles on  some public roads under certain conditions. This does not include riding lawn mowers. This does not apply to golf course communities.

The genesis of the ordinance was a subdivision in the western end of the county where golf carts have been in general use for decades. When informed by  a deputy that this was illegal, the residents sought to change the law and have begun the process of becoming golf cart/utility vehicles legal. Contrary to popular belief, golf carts and utility vehicles are not allowed on public roads in Goochland.

Under the new law, golf carts and utility vehicle are allowed on public roads whose speed limits are no higher than 25 mph, and the use is approved by at least 75 percent of property owners on the street. An application must be filed with the county department of community development after which a public hearing, by street, must be held by the Board of Supervisors. If that approval is granted, the application must obtain final approval from VDOT, which could deny it.

Yes, that is by street, not neighborhood, according to state law. Golf  carts and utility vehicles may be operated only by licensed drivers.  Property owners on each street much pay for installation and maintenance  of signage warning that golf carts and utility vehicles—essentially slow moving traffic—could be using the road.

Unless equipped with head and tail lights, operation is permitted only between the hours of sunrise and sunset. A placard indicating slow moving vehicle must be displayed on the back. The new law does not require operators of golf carts or utility vehicles to be insured, or wear seat belts.

It will be interesting to see how many streets complete the necessary steps to make golf carts and utility vehicles legal. There are undoubtedly lots of places in Goochland where people tool around their neighborhoods in golf carts, and more dangerously, let kids do the same.

Hopefully, this new ordinance will make people aware of the risks of golf carts and utility vehicles sharing roads with cars and trucks—even at slow speeds,  trucks and cars win in collisions—and take steps to do so in an safe and responsible manner.