Benefits
As of 2009, tax credits of $5,000 or more were available for the purchase of electric vehicles that go no faster than 25 mph, according to "The Cincinnati Enquirer." Although golf carts didn't yet qualify for the break, golf-cart-like vehicles that can travel 30 to 40 miles between electrical charges did. Golf carts don't typically run so far on electricity, but gas-powered carts can often travel up to 200 miles between refills.
Traffic Laws
Requirements for operating a golf cart on public streets vary county to county and city by city in Ohio, but every cart must adhere to Ohio state laws on the operation of under-speed vehicles (USVs). Carts must be driven in accordance with standard traffic laws, per Ohio Revised Code, Chapter 4511, which can be found online at Codes.ohio.gov. Additionally, most counties and cities only allow golf carts to be driven on roads with a 25-mph speed limit. Golf cart drivers must have a valid driver's license and proof of insurance.
Equipment
Some Ohio communities require more safety equipment on golf carts than others. However, the Village of Wakeman's requirements are a good litmus test to make sure your cart is road-ready. The cart needs to have at least one red brake light, turn-signals, a working horn and a rear-view mirror. It should also have a safety-glass windshield and display two license plates. If the cart is operated at night, it must have two headlights; one red, rear taillight; and a light for the rear license plate.
Registration
To register a golf cart for street use in Ohio, owners must obtain a certificate of inspection from local police and a title from the county title office. If the cart is titled and insured, the deputy registrar of any county can issue license plates and registration for the cart. Once the cart is registered, it is legal for street use under county laws for USVs.
Safety
A study released by the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, and the University of Alabama at Birmingham found that nearly 50,000 people were hurt in accidents involving golf carts during a four-year period, with about half of the injuries taking place on golf courses or other sports venues and the rest on streets or residential property. The Wakeman, Ohio, Police Department recommends that drivers be extra mindful of faster moving traffic, move aside for larger traffic and never stop in the road to sight-see.
About The Author
David J. Harvey has worked as a journalist since 2006, while earning a degree in political science and writing at the University of California, San Diego. He has written and edited for the UCSD "Guardian" and the AUC "Caravan" in Cairo, and currently freelances with San Diego's "Uptown News."
