Darren Doyle, story and photos Several residents from the Nolin Lake area attended Monday night's fiscal court meeting (July 25, 2016) to show their support of passing a county ordinance to allow the use of golf carts on public roads within their subdivision developments. According to state law, it is currently illegal to operate a golf cart on a state or county roadway. Many members of the Cave Hollow Bay Homeowner's Association were in attendance and voiced their support for an ordinance to be passed. "We're simply looking to bring golf carts up to low-speed vehicle standards," said Charlie Peck, president of the association. "We're not looking for any special treatment." ![]() Homeowners in lake area subdivisions and developments say it's much easier to travel from their homes to neighboring homes and docking areas in a golf cart than in regular vehicles. After discussing, all magistrates said they would be in favor of an ordinance allowing golf carts within subdivisions. Judge Cannon said even if the court approved, it would still take some time before everything about an ordinance could be finalized. It would first have to be drafted and more than one reading would likely take place. He said at minimum, a final signed ordinance was still several weeks out. Some in attendance questioned whether or not they would be hassled by local law enforcement for simply riding a cart to a neighbor's or down to the water until an ordinance was passed. Sheriff Shane Doyle assured the citizens that his office tries to use practical ideas when enforcing the law and said his office would support such an ordinance in the event that cart drivers used good judgement. “We’ve always tried to apply common sense and the intent of law," Doyle said. "I know you're all good people and as long as you're not driving recklessly on a cart, or allowing underage drivers, we're not going to be looking to write golf cart tickets until an ordinance is passed." Another homeowner asked that if an ordinance was passed and their carts were driven at dark, “Will we have to have lights, turn signals, and all these other things? We've heard that.” Doyle said according to state law, yes. Another driver asked if side-by-side ATV's be included in a golf cart ordinance, to which Doyle replied no. The ordinance would only allow golf carts, but that side-by-side ATV's can already be allowed on public roads as long as they meet all legal road requirements, such as proper lighting, license plates, registration, car insurance, etc. One homeowner asked if one could currently drive golf carts on private roads with no ordinance. County Attorney J.B. Hines said yes, but legally could not cross public roads to get to another private road while on a cart. Hines said he would begin the proper steps in preparing the first draft for a golf cart ordinance to allow legal use of carts within subdivisions only and it would be brought up again at future fiscal court meetings.
8 Comments
J.C. Sanders
7/26/2016 12:43:38 pm
Golf carts should be required to be registered and INSURED if driven on public streets.
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Dist.2 Constable Office
7/26/2016 04:20:01 pm
Other cities and counties have had success with licensure of golf carts for use on roadways. As stated, they must meet the similar criteria as any other motor vehicle, in order to be safe.
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Charlie Peck
7/26/2016 04:53:59 pm
In reply to J.C. Sanders, if an ordinance is passed, according to state law, the golf carts will have to be insured and they will have to be inspected by the Sheriff's office. In regards to the story, If the ordinance is passed, the golf carts will not be allowed to operate during darkness. This is according to state law.
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Greg carroll
7/27/2016 06:00:30 pm
If it is lawful to ride on one county road why is it no ok for all county roads? It's much easier for me to ride to my farm in a golf cart than a car also. Is this not a form of discrimination just because I don't live in cave hollow bay?
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Charlie Peck
7/27/2016 07:58:22 pm
The ordinance will pertain to the whole county, not just Cave Hollow Bay. It will be limited to roads that have posted speed limits of 25 MPH or less. State law limits it to 35 MPH or less. Fiscal Court is within their legal right to limit it to 25 or less. Cave Hollow Bay just happened to be the driving force to get the ordinance enacted.
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Greg Carroll
7/28/2016 06:05:23 am
If you read above its say it would only be for subdivisions, it doesn't say all roads. The magistrates said they would be in favor of it only in subdivisions.
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Charlie Peck
7/28/2016 01:06:52 pm
That's not the only thing that is incorrect in the article (sorry Darrin). Two magistrates brought up that they weren't happy with the 35 MPH or less provision in state law and said they were in favor of it being in "subdivisions" only. Judge Cannon stated that they would need to go by the state definition of subdivisions which he said was three houses within a short distance and this would include roads that were 35 MPH. After some discussion, a member of the Cave Hollow Bay Homeowners' Association said why not limit it to 25 MPH or less roads and that was when all the magistrates agreed that they could live with that. Judge Cannon then wrapped the conversation up with talk about how drawing up the ordinance would be time consuming and yada, yada, yada... Not trying to start or continue an argument. Just informing. If you don't have a golf cart yet, then I would suggest a low speed vehicle (LSV). A LSV looks like a golf cart but comes with everything needed to make it street legal and it is legal right now on any Kentucky road, 35 MPH or less and can be operated at night, per state law. They cost, on average, about $1,000.00 or so more than a new golf cart. They come with a VIN and need to be titled by the county.
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The Edmonson Voice
7/28/2016 01:20:27 pm
We'll gladly correct any info that seems to be inaccurate. However; we spoke with two magistrates this morning that spoke on this issue, and they confirmed they are in favor of an ordinance that only allows golf carts within named subdivisions, and they also said that no speed limit was implied. That's what we first reported. The majority of our article focused on county officials' position regarding the push for the ordinance, of which at this point, they seem to be in favor. Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
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