July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Ready for the road?
Jay County Commissioners
Jay County Commissioners reviewed the first draft of an ordinance that could allow for legal travel of off-road vehicles and golf carts on county roads.
The commissioners are picking up where they left off last year when they considered the issue, but never acted on an ordinance legalizing off-road vehicles on roads.
The state legislature, however, passed a bill clearing up some confusion on the rights of local governments regarding golf carts, making the process more certain this summer.
"Golf carts have now been defined," said attorney Lon Racster. The major piece missing last summer was a simple definition of golf carts, which meant they fell under the general "vehicle" classification like cars and pickup trucks.
The law now gives local governments the option "to regulate or prohibit the operation of low-speed vehicles or golf carts on highways," Racster said.
The draft ordinance includes specifications for off-road vehicles such as four-wheelers, which will simply reference the state statute. That means requirements such as riders under 18 must wear a helmet and be supervised by someone at least 18 years of age and that newer models must be registered. Golf carts will be covered in a separate section with county requirements.
Commissioners Jim Zimmerman and Faron Parr pared down a list of requirements for golf carts for them to be acceptable on the roads. They agreed golf carts should be equipped with head lights, tail lights, reflectors, brakes, mirrors and a vehicle identification number, and drivers must carry a valid driver's license. Requirements for turn signals, windshields and seat belts were not included.
Although the commissioners acknowledged that having off-road vehicles and golf carts on the road could lead to accidents and injuries, they felt it was safer than having people drive near the right-of-way.
"At least this will keep them on the road ... as opposed to going through someone's property," said commissioner Milo Miller Jr., who said he also wanted to try to keep riders away from ditches where they could potentially hurt themselves.
The commissioners will review and discuss the ordinance further before taking a vote.[[In-content Ad]]
The commissioners are picking up where they left off last year when they considered the issue, but never acted on an ordinance legalizing off-road vehicles on roads.
The state legislature, however, passed a bill clearing up some confusion on the rights of local governments regarding golf carts, making the process more certain this summer.
"Golf carts have now been defined," said attorney Lon Racster. The major piece missing last summer was a simple definition of golf carts, which meant they fell under the general "vehicle" classification like cars and pickup trucks.
The law now gives local governments the option "to regulate or prohibit the operation of low-speed vehicles or golf carts on highways," Racster said.
The draft ordinance includes specifications for off-road vehicles such as four-wheelers, which will simply reference the state statute. That means requirements such as riders under 18 must wear a helmet and be supervised by someone at least 18 years of age and that newer models must be registered. Golf carts will be covered in a separate section with county requirements.
Commissioners Jim Zimmerman and Faron Parr pared down a list of requirements for golf carts for them to be acceptable on the roads. They agreed golf carts should be equipped with head lights, tail lights, reflectors, brakes, mirrors and a vehicle identification number, and drivers must carry a valid driver's license. Requirements for turn signals, windshields and seat belts were not included.
Although the commissioners acknowledged that having off-road vehicles and golf carts on the road could lead to accidents and injuries, they felt it was safer than having people drive near the right-of-way.
"At least this will keep them on the road ... as opposed to going through someone's property," said commissioner Milo Miller Jr., who said he also wanted to try to keep riders away from ditches where they could potentially hurt themselves.
The commissioners will review and discuss the ordinance further before taking a vote.[[In-content Ad]]
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