Colleyville council greenlights golf carts on neighborhood roads

The ordinance allows golf carts on neighborhood roads with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less. When crossing multilane intersections, golf carts must do so at a four-way stop.

“The main reason is safety,” Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Scotty Richardson said. “In neighborhoods, roads are a little wider and most people get over to let traffic behind them pass.”

Lindamood brought up concerns that this would prohibit golf cart users in certain neighborhoods from leaving their neighborhood.

“If you get on the main roads, you’re upping the risk factor and you’re impeding traffic," council member Tim Raine said. “I don’t have any problems if they’re in their neighborhoods. I realize some neighborhoods are larger [or] smaller than others, and if somebody considers that limiting, [then] you chose to live there.”

One public commenter spoke in favor of allowing golf carts on streets, saying that he brought the issue to council after he realized golf carts weren’t legally permitted on neighborhood roads.

Another public commenter spoke against allowing golf carts on streets due to a high amount of accidents that could occur and put golf cart users at risk.

More details

The approved regulations state that golf carts:

• Must be operated by someone who is at least 16 years old, possesses a valid Texas driver's license and carries liability insurance
• May only be driven during daylight hours
• Must be equipped with headlamps, tail lamps, front and rear blinkers, side reflectors, a parking brake, mirrors, a horn, a windshield and seat belts for all occupants
• May not have riders who exceed the seating capacity, and no riders, including pets, are permitted in the driver’s lap
• Must obey all standard traffic signals, park in standard motor vehicle spaces and cannot pass other cars or be passed using the same lane
• Must be tagged and insured like regular motor vehicles
• May not be used to tow another vehicle, trailer or a person on a skateboard or bicycle
• Are prohibited on walking and jogging paths

The rules do not apply to carts driven exclusively on golf courses, within gated or private communities, by city personnel for official business, or as part of a city-authorized parade or festival.