City needs to deal with carts (08/25/06)

Something bad is looming on the horizon, and it's time to take steps to prevent it.

In fact, it's past time.

Drive the streets of Portland this week, and you'll know what we're talking about.

Now, don't get us wrong.

We love the engine show. We love the collectors and their enthusiasm.

We love the energy that tens of thousands of visitors bring to the community in the course of a week. We love the positive economic impact.

We even love the folks in the golf carts, but the time has come to regulate their presence on city streets before someone is seriously injured or worse.

At the moment, they're in something of a legal Twilight Zone.

But the city of Portland needs to establish some enforceable minimum standards when it comes to lights, warning flags, and traffic rules.

Portland isn't alone when it comes to this particular problem.

Communities as diverse as Cleveland and Redkey have codified new rules on golf cart traffic. Virtually any town with a high percentage of retirees has to deal with the same issue.

Our fear is that if something isn't done, you'll one day be reading headlines about a traffic fatality that could have been prevented.

This isn't a one-week issue. Though the numbers drop after our engine and tractor friends head for home, there's still golf cart traffic throughout the warm weather months.

So let's deal with it, competently, fairly, and as swiftly as possible. - J.R.[[In-content Ad]]