Hobart studies expansion of city’s golf cart ordinance

Councilman: ‘This would give police the ability and mechanism to enforce’ 2017 law

Almost four years after passing a golf cart ordinance, Hobart City Council is looking to expand the types of vehicles included in the law and make the owner responsible for any violations.

“Part of the problem is it’s been hard to enforce. This would give police the ability and mechanism to enforce the ordinance,” said Councilman Josh Huddlestun, D-2nd, who chairs the council’s ordinance committee.

Since passing the ordinance allowing golf carts on the road, with restrictions, city officials have said they’ve received a number of concerns from residents, particularly about underage drivers. Mayor Brian Snedecor said at a meeting a few years ago that he personally witnessed six kids on a golf cart with a driver who looked to be around 12 years old.

Under the proposed revised ordinance, owners of allowable golf carts and possibly other vehicles would need to register the vehicle with the clerk-treasurer’s office, at which time they would be handed a set of rules.

Huddlestun said if a violation is committed, someone in the office could then look up the plate number and issue the owner, who may not be the driver, a ticket.

“You have a 13-year-old kid who’s never driven anything driving a golf cart on the street. The problem is catching them. If the cart is plated, we can look up the number,” Huddlestun said.

Councilman Matt Claussen, D-At large, a retired police officer, said it’s not worth the time and effort to bring an underage driver to court.

“To have the owners register the vehicle and give the parents the rules (at that time) is the part of the ordinance that I like,” Claussen said.

Claussen said a police officer can write a citation without witnessing a violation, provided two truthful and reliable witnesses come forward and are willing to go to court to testify. The second revision would include adding side by side and utility vehicles to the ordinance.

“There are people that drive UTVs and side by side (vehicles) asking why can you allow a golf cart on the street but not mine when my vehicle is safer,” Huddlestun said.

Councilman Dave Vinzant, D-4th, said about 20% of what he sees on the roads are not golf carts, but utility vehicles and side by sides. He said the council has been working under a state law regarding golf carts on the streets and he doesn’t know if there’s a rule regarding the other vehicles.

The current ordinance, passed in 2017, contains only a few limitations: those driving the cart must have a driver’s license and be at least 18 years old, the cart must have working headlights and taillights after dark and the cart can’t be driven on any roads with a speed limit greater than 30 mph. No golf carts are allowed on state roads under a state rule.

Huddlestun said the council will probably vote on a revised ordinance at its Feb. 3 meeting.