By Jim Bloch
It took two introductions, one last summer and a revised one Dec. 16, but the city of St. Clair now has an ordinance governing the use of Off-Road Vehicles, especially golf carts, on city streets.
The city council unanimously adopted the new ordinance at its first regular meeting of the new year, Jan. 6.
ORVs refer to utility terrain vehicles, side-by-sides and golf carts. The designation does not include registered snow mobiles, multi-tracks or multi-drive vehicles, ATVs, motorcycles or amphibious machines.
Among additional regulations, the ORVs must be driven on the right side of public streets with the flow of traffic. They are not allowed on streets with speed limits greater than 30 mph. They must not be driven faster than 15 mph. They must be insured for personal injury and property damage. They must travel in single file. Drivers of ORV must be at least 16 and have a driver’s license. To operate after dark, the machines must have a brake light brighter than the taillight and two headlights. No open liquor is allowed on the vehicle. ORVs may not be driven on sidewalks. They must have turn signals, horn, rearview mirror, safety belts and a windshield.
How does the new ordinance differ from the one introduced in August?
“It was redone to conform to state law requirements,” said City Attorney Jim Downey, as heard on the recording of the meeting posted on YouTube. “Essentially, there were four changes made. One, a driver’s license is required for the operation a golf cart in the city of St. Clair. Secondly, the helmet requirement that was included in the original ordinance was stricken because the state of Michigan prohibits the imposition of a helmet requirement. (Third), there was a maximum speed limit that was changed to conform to state law and (fourth, we added) a maximum speed limit on the streets on which the golf carts can be operated.”
Council member Mitch Kuffa asked if the golf carts could be driven on the city’s bike paths.
No, said City Clerk Annette Sturdy, citing section J of operating regulations for driving ORVs within the city: “A golf cart shall not be operated on a sidewalk.”
Jim Bloch is a freelance writer based in St. Clair, MI. Contact him at bloch.jim@gmail.com.
