street legal carts in georgia

[thelt]

Here is the new GA law effective 1 Jan 2012. I know from personal experience the GA State Patrol is enforcing this law on Jekyll Is., GA.

O.C.G.A. § 40-6-363

GEORGIA CODE
Copyright 2012 by The State of Georgia
All rights reserved.

*** Current Through the 2011 Extraordinary Session ***

TITLE 40. MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
CHAPTER 6. UNIFORM RULES OF THE ROAD
ARTICLE 13. SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES
PART 6. PERSONAL TRANSPORTATION VEHICLES

O.C.G.A. § 40-6-363 (2012)

§ 40-6-363. (Effective January 1, 2012) Safety equipment required for personal transportation vehicles


(a) This part shall have no application to any county or municipality that has enacted prior to January 1, 2012, an ordinance authorizing the operation of motorized carts pursuant to Code Section 40-6-331.

(b) In addition to the requirements contained in paragraph (43.1) of Code Section 40-1-1, all personal transportation vehicles shall have the following equipment:

(1) A braking system sufficient for the weight and passenger capacity of the vehicle, including a parking brake;

(2) A reverse warning device functional at all times when the directional control is in the reverse position;

(3) A main power switch. When the switch is in the "off" position, or the key or other device that activates the switch is removed, the motive power circuit shall be inoperative. If the switch uses a key, it shall be removable only in the "off" position;

(4) Head lamps;

(5) Reflex reflectors;

(6) Tail lamps;

(7) A horn;

( A rearview mirror;

(9) Safety warning labels; and

(10) Hip restraints and hand holds.

HISTORY: Code 1981, § 40-6-363, enacted by Ga. L. 2011, p. 247, § 2/SB 240.

[thelt]

Here is what the AJC had to say back in Dec 2011:

http://www.ajc.com/news/new-law-requ...y-1274902.html

[Marathon Matt]

So is the new law overriding the old one?

[fjatl]

Originally Posted by Marathon Matt

So is the new law overriding the old one?

yep

[kellybell]

40-6-363 was listed out and handed to me at the DMV here in Norcross, a suburb of Atlanta. I carry this printout with me on the cart, along with the name of the young lady who gave it to me.

[fjatl]

Here's a .pdf copy to share as well...

[yurtle]

Doesn't require brake lights or seat belts. Also doesn't "allow" them to be used on ANY public road. That's left up to local jurisdictions.

[thelt]

Yurtle, check paragraph (10) of the law.

[yurtle]

That's built-into my 1998 EZ-GO TXT. Read the words carefully and look at yours again.

The front seat has "hip restraints" built into the seat. Hand holds are on the roof.

[yurtle]

However, the law needs clarifying, as my rear seat has no way to have hand holds, as the roof ends before the rear seat, but I think rear seat belts are a good idea anyway, as I've seen far too many wet kids in bathing suits come sliding out the backs of others' buggies. Everyone knows to hold on for their dear lives when in my back seat.

Local police live in several of our four subdivisions, and the last subdivision to join us were given "free" golf carts with their home purchase. Only one subdivision can drive directly to the pools, lake, tennis courts, etc. The others have to either cross a wooden bridge, or drive a buggies only cart path.

This is still totally illegal, as neither Hall nor Gwinnett counties have passed ordinances, but they probably will.

My buggy goes too fast to qualify anyway, and I have blue wig-wags and a 1950's siren mounted on my roof, and I ain't puttin' on no dorky reflectors, so I'll never be legal.

Mad, drunken drivin' around up to 37.6 mph with blue lights flashin' and siren a blarin' with fully loaded beer holders (open container law in GA) will likely get me in trouble, regardless of this law.