Pulaski County intends to look into the use of golf carts on local roadways in the future.
The County has spent several weeks developing a draft ordinance for the use of ATV’s to observe and travel farm ground. Residents have asked, however, for Pulaski County to include golf carts in that ordinance.
The problem, according to County Attorney Kevin Tankersley, is that there is plenty of state law to craft ATV ordinances, but golf cart law is considered quite vague, paraphrasing the statute.
“As long as it doesn’t violate any other law, a municipality may adopt an ordinance to allow someone to drive a golf cart,” says Tankersley. “That’s all it says. It doesn’t give any guidance beyond that.”
The Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department does not necessarily pullover residents for driving their golf carts on local roadways, using officer discretion.
Sheriff Jeff Richwine says that to open the ATV ordinance to golf carts might create a free-for-all with other vehicles in the area. Research is intended to better understand the issue and figure out possible ways Pulaski County may be able to allow the use of golf carts without violating state statute.
“You know this is speaking off the cuff,” says Richwine. “Let me do some checking and see if anyone else has put golf carts in there.”
A resident in attendance at Monday evening’s meeting said it’s important to formalize the process and not leave vehicle stops up to officer discretion.
The Pulaski County Commissioners are expected to consider an ATV ordinance at some point in the future. Whether golf carts will be included remains to be seen.
