After months of discussion, the Woodstock City Council has given first reading to an ordinance that would regulate “Personal Transportation Vehicles.”
They’re popularly called golf carts but are modified to operate at speeds up to 20 mph, staff said. State law allows local governments to regulate this class of vehicle.
According to the ordinance, they’ll have to be registered with the city and have certain safety equipment including an on-off switch or key, adequate brakes, headlamps, tail lamps, a horn, windshield and rear-view mirror. Occupants 17 and under would be required to wear a seat belt; seat belts would be optional for those 18 or older.
They can operate only on streets with a posted speed limit of 25 mph or less, or on designated routes approved by the City Council, and not on any sidewalks or city trails. If a vehicle is operated in public, operators also must have a valid driver’s license and comply with applicable vehicular traffic regulations.
If the ordinance is approved on second reading, enforcement would begin Jan. 1, 2019.
Council members spoke of the need for a public information campaign and working with homeowners associations and social media to get the word out.
