The Fayette Citizen-News Page

Wednesday, July 2, 2003

Warnings being given to under-16 cart drivers

By JOHN MUNFORD
jmunford@TheCitizenNews.com

Peachtree City police will wait another two or three weeks before issuing citations to children driving golf carts without a license, according to police chief James Murray.

Although a city ordinance previously allowed children as young as 12 to drive with parental supervision and 15-year-olds to drive without parental supervision, that's not the case anymore. The Georgia Court of Appeals recently determined that a driver's license is required to drive even a golf cart, according to the court's ruling in upholding a man's conviction for a suspended license while driving on a golf cart.

"We're still in the warning phase here," Murray said. "We'll give it two to three weeks ... and then we'll be enforcing it."

Murray said the department will that citizens voluntarily comply with the law.

"It'll make it easier on us and cause them a lot less trouble," Murray said.

Adults who allow unlicensed drivers to drive golf carts could be held liable for any damage or injuries should an accident occur and they can also be charged for allowing unlawful use of a golf cart, Murray said.

"Word has gotten out because I have noticed it on the golf cart paths," Murray said of the appeals court's ruling. "People have to understand that's the law. ... It says you have to have a driver's license to drive a golf cart anywhere."