Eureka Police have begun more closely monitoring how people use golf carts in the city after receiving complaints from Eureka Board of Aldermen members about people not following rules governing their use, Lt. Michael Werges said.
In September 2019, the board voted to allow golf carts or low-speed vehicles to be used on city-owned roads with speed limits no more than 30 mph, except for streets inside the Legends subdivision, where there are no speed limit restriction on golf carts. The carts cannot be operated over 20 mph, and they must have headlights, turn signals, taillights, reflectors, side mirrors, a parking brake, a windshield and seat belts.
Golf cart owners also must have the city inspect their vehicles before driving them on city streets. If carts meet the city’s requirements, the owners receive a sticker to display on their cart.
In addition, cart drivers also must observe all state, county and city laws.
Werges said two of the main complaints aldermen have lodged stem from people driving carts on paths inside city parks, and people driving carts that do not have the inspection stickers displayed.
“Our point will be to educate people,” Werges said. “We are not looking to write a lot of tickets. We will tell people they have to have a sticker to operate a golf cart in Eureka. You cannot operate it on a pathway, and you have to follow all traffic laws. Also, you cannot operate it in an intoxicated condition. It is the same as your vehicle.”