The Fayette Citizen-News Page

Wednesday, April 2, 2003

Mayor Brown cautions teen golf cart drivers

As warmer weather and spring break approach, Peachtree City Mayor Steve Brown would like to caution those who operate golf carts on Peachtree City's paths, especially the community's local teen drivers. Brown is issuing the message to address concerns by the Peachtree City Police Department to focus more attention on golf cart violations, including those that involve teenage drivers.

"We want to make everyone aware that certain aspects of the Teenage Drivers Responsibility Act can apply to golf carts and can affect a teenager's ability to obtain and hold a drivers license in the state," said Brown.

Last September, the City Council approved 15-year-olds with learners permits operating golf carts unsupervised.

"While many of our teens are operating golf carts responsibly, some are giving the entire group a bad name and causing complaints to be issued to the Police Department and City Hall," said Brown.

Due to the number of complaints, and the concern that complaints will increase as the weather warms and provides more opportunity for golf cart driving, the Police Department will be taking enforcement action against all golf cart drivers who operate the vehicles in a reckless or unsafe manner. Previously, Mayor Brown or the Police Department personally contacted the parents of teens reported for improper cart operation.

Brown also cautioned drivers about operating carts on local ballfields, saying, "We cannot tolerate this behavior. Restoring the damaged turf on our fields is costing thousands of tax dollars."

Brown urges parents of teens to become more involved and teach them the rules of safe motor vehicle operation prior to allowing them to operate a golf cart unsupervised. "These vehicles can injure both the operator and innocent bystanders," he said. "Parents need to emphasize that teens can lose a drivers license and their ability to obtain their license when they turn sixteen if they misuse the privilege of operating a golf cart."

Brown concluded by saying, "I just wanted to give everyone fair warning prior to the Police Department issuing citations for these problems."

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