Friday, May 7, 2004

City dealing with young cart drivers By J. FRANK LYNCH jflynch@theCitizenNews.com Two weeks after Gov. Sonny Perdue rode into town for a ceremony to sign a law restoring golf-cart driving privileges to unlicensed drivers, a weary City Hall bombarded by complaints of wreckless conduct has issued a plea to Peachtree City parents: Teach your kids how to drive. The law restored Peachtree City’s standing ordinance that allows 15-year-olds with a learner’s permit to drive carts unaccompanied, and allows children as young as 12 to drive with a parent, guardian or grandparent in the front seat. But within the first week of the reinstatement, the city was flooded with complaints about reckless younger drivers on the paths, said Betsy Tyler, city public information officer. Police have also seen one serious accident involving a 15-year old driver and injuries to underage passengers, Tyler said. “Reckless behavior on a golf cart can jeopardize a 15-year old’s ability to obtain a driver’s license,” Mayor Steve Brown reminded parents and teens. “Underage drivers have certain responsibilities when it comes to operating a cart, and parents must teach them the rules of the road, the city’s laws, and common courtesy.” Brown said that teens found guilty of the reckless driving charges will be unable to obtain a driver’s license when he turns 16. Brown also pointed out that damages due to cart accidents are the responsibility of the cart owner, which is usually the parents. He said, “It is in the best interest of the parents to make sure their teen is properly educated because their actions can affect your insurance rates.” Among the rules underage drivers must remember are: • A 15-year-old with a learners permit may only have three immediate family members or one other person 15 or older in the cart when they are operating it. • It is illegal for any golf cart passenger to be standing while the cart is in operation. • Children ages 12 - 14 must have a parent, grandparent or legal guardian in the front seat when operating a cart. Parents are ticketed when this law is violated. • No one under 12 may operate a golf cart. • Paths must be used instead of streets whenever available. • Pedestrians must be given reasonable right-of-way. • Golf cart operators, as well as bicyclists, must give an audible signal when approaching pedestrians from behind. • Golf carts must yield to automobiles when crossing streets, driveways and parking lots. Mayor Brown is working with local school officials to create a “rules of the road” course for 15-year-olds and their parents at McIntosh High School. The class will teach driving etiquette, local ordinances and driving safety. Preliminary discussions have indicated that the course would be a prerequisite to obtaining a parking permit for the high school parking lot.” Local businesswoman Tami Morris, who produces the new Peachtree Pathfinder Map and Guide Book, is also working to ensure local teens are educated path users. Her new Guide includes a checklist for parents who have younger cart drivers. Morris said, “The check list was developed to give parents a discussion tool to use with their young drivers. Importantly, parents need to make sure that their children understand that carts can suddenly rollover on sharp turns or on steep paths. If parents can help their kids understand that golf carts can be dangerous if operated improperly, we might see fewer accidents.” While Mayor Brown acknowledged that many of the younger cart drivers are behaving responsibly, he warned, “While we want our 15-year olds with a learner’s permit to have full use of our cart paths, the Peachtree City Police have my full support in making sure that those who display reckless behavior lose their driving privileges immediately.”

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