HomeMy WebLinkAboutWS Item 05 - Golf CartsMEMO TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BRUNO RUMBELOW, CITY MANAGER
MEETING DATE: JULY 1, 2014
SUBJECT: WORKSHOP — GOLF CARTS ON PUBLIC HIGHWAYS
Currently, operation of golf carts on public roadways in Grapevine is prohibited by law
because no neighborhood in Grapevine meets state criteria for automatic allowance of
golf carts.
The City Council has received a request/petition to allow the operation of golf carts on
public roadways pursuant to the Texas Transportation Code that states that the
governing body of a municipality may allow an operator to operate a golf cart on all or
part of a public highway that is in the corporate boundaries of the municipality; and has a
posted speed limit of not more than 35 miles per hour. A golf cart operated under this
section of the Code must have headlamps, tail lamps, reflectors, parking brake and
mirrors.
Attached is a PowerPoint presentation for the workshop that attempts to inform Council
of both Lakview residents' requests and their arguments for a new ordinance and the
safety concerns of the Police Department on public roadways with the operation of carts.
6/26/2014 (10:12:18 AM)
Golf Carts on
Public Roadways
City Council Presentation
July 1, 2014
Lakeview Resident Petition
► Residents request City Council to allow the
use of golf carts in their neighborhood
because:
• Effective way for elderly to get around
• Energy efficient mobility
• Valuable tool for neighborhood crime watch
• Brings neighbors together
• Eases parking concerns on narrow streets
• Affordable
• Easy way to pick up trash
• Transportation to /from boat ramps & City fireworks
display
Current City Guidelines
Operation of golf carts on all public
roadways is prohibited by law because
no neighborhood in Grapevine meets
Texas Transportation Code criteria for
automatic allowance of golf carts.
Texas Transportation Code
► Section 551.403 provides that a municipality
may allow the use of golf carts on all or part
of a public highway that:
• is in the corporate boundaries of the city; and
• has a posted speed limit of not more than 35 mph
A golf cart must have the following equipment:
o Headlamps
• Taillamps
• Reflectors
• Parking brake
• Mirrors
Allowed in Other Cities?
► Trophy Club and Galveston allow limited use of golf
carts
► Permits and inspections are administered through
the Police Department
► Must provide liability insurance
► Permit cost is $25 and fines are in place if a
violation of any part of the ordinance occurs
► Galveston has specific designated areas /streets
where golf carts are prohibited
Safety statistics
Research Institute at the Nationwide
Children's Hospital logged 148,000 golf cart
related injuries
7
15,000 sent to emergency rooms for injuries
sustained in golf cart accidents with a
majority related to braking, rollover and /or
passenger ejection
Lightweight frames with an average weight
between 800 -1400 pounds is no match when
involved in a crash with a typical passenger
vehicle or pick -up
Golf cart fatalities will continue to rise if
" ' " on public streets
City Staff Analysis
► Golf carts are not designed to operate on
public roadways
► Golf cart manufacturers sell them without any
basic safety features such as horns, turn
signals, seatbelts, roll bars, highway
approved tires and brakes
► No provision under existing law that requires
registration or safety inspection
► Burden to monitor, register &inspect would
be placed on Police personnel