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Ordinance to name New Port Richey a golf cart friendly community being considered

BY ERIC HORCHY

THE SUNCOAST NEWS

Published: October 31, 2009

NEW PORT RICHEY - In the near future, the City Council may be taking up an issue of officially designating areas of New Port Richey as being golf cart friendly.

Mayor Scott McPherson floated the idea to the rest of council at the end of last Tuesday's regular meeting after it was brought to his attention by a neighbor of his, he said.

After looking into the matter, McPherson found that a golf cart ordinance would in fact be especially pertinent. Florida state law bans the small vehicles' use on roads not already defined as golf cart operable.
Florida Statutes Section 316.212 describes how a municipality must designate roadways for golf cart use and make those thoroughfares with appropriate signage.

That being noted, McPherson said he would like to see the issue placed on the council's agenda so that golf cart owners are no longer running afoul of the law if they do drive on the road.

In February of 2006, Pinellas County officials passed an ordinance in the unincorporated areas of Ozona and Crystal Beach for the very reason of compliance.

While specifics for any New Port Richey decree are unknown, Brian Smith, Pinellas County Executive Director of the Metropolitan Planning Organization provided the 2006 ordinance for Ozona and Crystal Beach.

Certain details included were that the golf carts had to be incapable of exceeding speeds of 20 miles per hour, designated roadways had to be specified and none could be named where posted speed limit signs are higher than 30 miles per hour, and that the vehicles can only operate between sunrise and sunset.

The state statute also touches on particulars such as the golf carts' need of efficient brakes, review mirrors, headlights, turn signals and a windshield that the council will have to include if an ordinance is mandated.

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