Connecticut Senate Bill SB00630

Connecticut 2013 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/24/13
• Refer: 1/24/13

Caption

An Act Allowing The Use Of Golf Carts On Local Roads.

Impact

The bill's provisions could lead to an increase in the use of golf carts in residential communities, providing a more flexible, environmentally friendly transportation alternative for short distances. It addresses the need for local authorities to adapt and provide frameworks that improve mobility within communities, especially in areas frequented by golf carts. The impact on state laws primarily involves modifications to existing traffic regulations, thereby allowing for localized decision-making regarding the use of such vehicles on roadways, promoting community-level governance.

Summary

Senate Bill 00630, titled 'An Act Allowing The Use Of Golf Carts On Local Roads', seeks to amend existing statutes to regulate the usage of golf carts on local streets and highways. This bill is designed to empower the traffic authorities in cities, towns, and boroughs to permit such use under specific conditions, primarily focusing on safety measures and operational guidelines to ensure that golf carts can coexist alongside regular vehicular traffic. The proposed regulations include requirements for operable horns, visibility flags, and limitations on the speed limits of roadways where these vehicles may operate.

Contention

Though the bill seems to offer multiple benefits such as improved mobility and potentially reduced traffic congestion, controversy may arise regarding safety concerns. Opponents of the bill might argue that allowing golf carts on public roads poses risks to both golf cart operators and other motorists, particularly regarding visibility and speed differentials. Additional discussions may center around the responsibility of local traffic authorities in enforcing safety regulations effectively, ensuring that the envisioned benefits do not come at the cost of public safety on the roads.