Golf carts coming to the Cove

Nov. 30--PANAMA CITY -- An area within the Cove was selected this week by city commissioners for a pilot program to allow golf carts on city streets.

A couple of city officials expressed safety concerns before commissioners heard first reading of n ordinance Tuesday allowing the use of golf carts on city streets in the Cove south of Fourth Street between Massalina and Watson bayous. A final vote on the ordinance is scheduled for Dec. 17.

When commissioners initially opted to look at allowing golf carts on some city streets, residents from the Cove turned out and spoke in favor of a pilot program in their neighborhood.

Commissioners agreed to let the area act as the test grounds, but at least one was wary of some roads.

Commissioner Mike Nichols suggested Bunkers Cove Road, a mile-long street that winds along the eastern edge of the Cove with areas of limited visibility around curves, be taken off the table.

"Even cars doing the speed limit are coming around those curves quick," Nichols said. "And you put a golf cart coming around the other side. ... That is just a dangerous road."

Police Chief Scott Ervin spoke about his concerns while explaining the law's restrictions.

"We're trying to look forward into the biggest safety concerns in the event of a crash," Ervin said. "We don't want to have a fatality; we don't want to have a serious bodily injury."

Ervin feared allowing golf carts would eventually cause an accident -- telling commissioners, "It's not if it will happen; it is when and how bad will it be," he said during an October meeting first broaching the subject.

He told commissioners the Florida statute allowing cities to restrict or allow golf carts calls for the city to conduct an assessment of roads related to safety. Following the determination of the area desired for golf cart use, officials could begin conducting those assessments.

Other restrictions include requiring seatbelts, headlights, rearview mirrors, reflectors and operator must have a driver's license and insurance.

"We don't want 12-year-olds riding around, running stop signs and causing an accident," Ervin said.

Children under the age of 5 must be transported in a child seat.

"If [the golf cart] is struck by a vehicle, you're going to want the most amount of protection for the infant," Ervin said. "Transporting a child under that age, they need to be in some kind protective device; a child safety seat secured in that vehicle gives them the best chance."

Any other traffic laws -- such as DUI restrictions -- would apply to golf carts. The city opted to not require golf carts to be registered.

Mayor Greg Brudnicki was optimistic the attention to the law would increase awareness of drivers in the Cove and keep the number of accidents low.

"This may make people more cognizant that, not only do we have people walking and biking, now we've got something else," Brudnicki said. "It's going to make them slow down -- I hope."

The ordinance has yet to have a second hearing and vote, which will occur at the city's Dec. 17 meeting at 8 a.m.

An increased police presence may also be in effect, if commissioners approve the ordinance following the second reading.

"I'm sure if it does pass, PCPD will be out there making sure our speeders are not speeding," Nichols said. "Good luck."

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