Carts not yet an issue in Indiana

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October 4, 2009

BY DENNIS BARTLOW The Commercial-News Sun Oct 04, 2009, 12:18 AM CDT

COVINGTON, Ind. — The golf cart craze that has hit several area towns has not yet surfaced in western Indiana.

“We haven’t had too many problems,” said Covington Police Chief Larry Weber. “We have a couple people who are disabled use them.”

Fountain County Sheriff Bobby Bass said the use of golf carts on roads are prohibited by state law, but their use in cities and towns are possible with an ordinance.

“They are prohibited from state roads,” Bass said.

The amended Indiana law, which went into effect July 1, technically includes off-road vehicles, farm wagons and golf carts.

But it is the golf carts that are creating the controversy.

The bill allows municipalities to make their own laws regarding golf cart usage. Counties cannot legalize golf cart use for county roads.

Veedersburg implemented a golf cart ordinance last year, well before the amended law went into effect.

“We decided what would work for us,” said Veedersburg Clerk Laura Bennett. “We have had no problems.”

The driver must be at least 16 years old, have a driver’s license, have liability insurance and show proof of financial responsibility.

The carts may not be driven a half-hour after sundown to a half-hour before sunrise unless they have two headlights and two tail lights.

They may operate on streets with a 30 mph speed limit or lower, but they may not be driven on sidewalks or highways.

Weber said he has talked to the Covington City Council about the golf cart issue.

“If it becomes a problem, we may have to do something,” he said. “We have talked to people (who use them).”

Cayuga is one town in the area where officials are looking at an ordinance.

Sami Dillon, Cayuga town clerk, said councilmen received copies of a golf cart ordinance from Rockville at its last meeting and are seeing if it would be applicable for Cayuga.

“We have quite a few who drive them to the post office,” she said.

Attica has not passed an ordinance, although there are a few people who use golf carts.

“The biggest issue is the state highways in the city,” said Attica Clerk Sharon Negele.

U.S. Route 41 and Indiana Route 28 crisscross Attica, and state law forbids golf carts on those roads.

West Lebanon does not have an ordinance.

“It is not a big problem,” said West Lebanon Town Clerk Dana Craft. “The council decided not to do anything until there is a problem.”

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