City is on the right course with golf cart road access

The city of Medford on Monday took the first step toward allowing golf carts to be used as legal vehicles on most city streets with a review recommendation of a new ordinance at the committee of the whole meeting. The recommendation will face final action at the May 12 city council meeting.

In Wisconsin municipal governments can choose to allow golf carts to use city streets. Much like ATVs and UTVs golf carts will be able to cross state highways but not drive on them. The proposed city code change also includes common-sense restrictions on using the low-profile, slow moving vehicles in areas where there is heavy truck traffic.

Golf carts used as vehicles are nothing new across the country. In some retirement areas, the number of golf carts in communities outnumber other types of vehicles in use on the roads.

The city should be commended for making the move to allow golf carts on city streets.

Rules and restrictions exist for reasons. At the local level, these rules focus on protecting people from harm, preventing damage to property and reducing disruptions. A direct outgrowth of why laws exist, is a legal maxim that states unless there is a reason for something to be against the law, it should be allowed.

Several years ago, the city of Medford grudgingly opened streets to ATV and UTV use. City leaders had legitimate concerns about the impact these vehicles would have on the community and were worried about safety for users, passengers and others on the streets.

Even those initially opposed to allowing ATVs and UTVs on the roads have had to admit that the experiment in allowing their use has been an overall successful one with law enforcement reporting few negative incidents in the years since they have been allowed in the city.

It is a logical next step that golf carts also be allowed on city streets sharing many of the same characteristics and uses that UTVs have. This is especially true of brands and models that increasingly blur the lines between UTVs and traditional golf carts. The major difference is that golf carts are typically quieter, with electricpowered golf carts making up about 85% of the market. They are also less powerful with shorter ranges and comparatively low typical maximum speeds.

Lower speeds mean more reaction time for operators when dealing with road hazards. Likewise, their smaller size reduces the chance of significant property or physical harm if they are used improperly.

The city can always add more restrictions or take away the usage rights entirely if things get out of hand and roving bands of golf cart gangs descend upon the city.

The move to legally allow alternative modes of transportation on city streets is commendable. The city of Medford should continue to look at its rules and regulations and determine if there is a real need for the restrictions to be in place and get rid of those that no longer are needed.