Chapter 10.40
GOLF CARTS AND OTHER NONTRADITIONAL VEHICLES
Sections:
10.40.010 Definition of nontraditional vehicle.
10.40.020 Operation of nontraditional vehicles on town streets and alleys.
10.40.030 Registration of nontraditional vehicles.
10.40.040 Registration fee and registration sticker.
10.40.010 Definition of nontraditional vehicle.
A. For purposes of this chapter, “nontraditional vehicle” means any motorized vehicle, whether powered by electricity, natural gas, combustion engine, or otherwise, other than an automobile, motorcycle, or farming machinery listed in this chapter, or any other vehicle which is registered with the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles or similar licensing agency of any other state or nation, or any motorized wheelchair.
B. Specific examples of nontraditional vehicles include, but are not limited to, a golf cart, lawn tractor, “gator,” motorized “razor,” and a miniature motorcycle. [Ord. 2014-35 § 1]
10.40.020 Operation of nontraditional vehicles on town streets and alleys.
A. Any owner of a nontraditional vehicle desiring to operate the same on town streets must annually register the nontraditional vehicle with the Whitestown police department as in WMC 10.40.030.
B. A nontraditional vehicle registration is valid for one calendar year from the date of registration. [Ord. 2014-35 § 2]
10.40.030 Registration of nontraditional vehicles.
A. The Whitestown police department is charged with the responsibility for inspecting and registering nontraditional vehicles. The Whitestown police department shall also maintain records of the registration for nontraditional vehicles.
B. Before registration of a nontraditional vehicle, the Whitestown police department shall inspect a nontraditional vehicle to ensure that it is equipped with each of the following:
1. Brakes capable of decelerating at a rate of 14 feet per second, including two separate means of applying the brakes, each of which must apply the brakes to at least two wheels, except for two-wheeled vehicles (with compliance to be determined by an actual road test conducted on a substantially level, dry, smooth, hard-surfaced road that is free from loose material, and with stopping distance measured from the actual instant braking controls are moved and from an initial speed of 20 miles per hour, or another suitable mechanical test that recreates the same conditions);
2. A horn, in good working order and capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than 200 feet;
3. At least two head lamps for four-wheeled vehicles and one head lamp for two-wheeled vehicles, located at a height not less than 24 inches and not more than 54 inches above the roadway;
4. At least one tail lamp that emits light plainly visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear, located not less than 20 inches and not more than 72 inches from the roadway;
5. Two red reflectors carried on the rear, either as part of the tail lamps or separately, mounted at a height not less than 20 inches and not more than 60 inches from the roadway, and visible from distances of 100 to 600 feet to the rear when illuminated by the upper beams of head lamps;
6. Not more than two spot lamps nor more than two fog lamps;
7. Stop lamps displaying a red or amber light, activated upon application of the foot brake, and visible from a distance of at least 100 feet to the rear of the vehicle;
8. A muffler (if not an electric-powered nontraditional vehicle) free from exhaust gas leaks, that is in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive noise;
9. A rearview mirror that reflects to the driver a view of the road from a distance of at least 200 to the rear of the vehicle;
10. Rubber tires (though tire chains, ice grips, or tire studs may be installed for safety because of snow, ice or other conditions, as long as they are constructed to prevent any appreciable damage to the road surface); and
11. A slow moving vehicle emblem if the vehicle does not operate at more than 25 miles per hour.
C. The Whitestown police department shall not register any nontraditional vehicle that is not equipped with each of the items in subsection B of this section.
D. The owner of a nontraditional vehicle must provide proof of insurance of said vehicle to the Whitestown police department before the vehicle may be registered. [Ord. 2014-35 § 3]
10.40.040 Registration fee and registration sticker.
A. The registration fee for a nontraditional vehicle shall be $50.00.
B. Upon registration of the nontraditional vehicle, the owner of said vehicle shall receive a registration sticker that must be displayed at all times during operation on town streets in a visible location on the rear of said vehicle. If a registration sticker is not available at the time of registration, the owner will receive written proof of registration to be carried during the operation of said vehicle on town streets until the registration sticker is issued.
C. The registration of a nontraditional vehicle may not be transferred to another person. [Ord. 2014-35 § 4]
10.40.050 Insurance.
The owner of any registered nontraditional vehicle shall maintain insurance on said vehicle and provide proof of the same upon request by the Whitestown police department or any of its officers. [Ord. 2014-35 § 5]
10.40.060 Town vehicles.
This chapter shall not apply to any nontraditional vehicle owned by the town and used by the town for official town business. [Ord. 2014-35 § 6]
10.40.070 Violations.
A. Nontraditional vehicles shall be subject to the town’s traffic and parking regulations.
B. The following shall constitute a violation of this chapter subject to the penalties set forth below:
1. Operation of a nontraditional vehicle that is not registered with the town pursuant to this chapter;
2. Operation of a nontraditional vehicle by a person younger than 16 years old;
3. Operation of a nontraditional vehicle by a person without a valid Indiana driver’s license or a valid driver’s license issued by another state or recognized authority;
4. Operation of a nontraditional vehicle in a reckless manner; and/or
5. Operating a nontraditional vehicle without valid insurance. [Ord. 2014-35 § 7]
10.40.080 Penalties.
The following is the schedule of penalties for violation(s) of this chapter:
|
NONTRADITIONAL VEHICLES (NTVs) |
||
|---|---|---|
|
[WMC 10.40.070(B)(1)] |
Operation of nonregistered NTV |
$100.00 |
|
[WMC 10.40.070(B)(2)] |
Operation of NTV by person under 16 years of age |
$100.00 |
|
[WMC 10.40.070(B)(3)] |
Operation of NTV without valid driver’s license |
$100.00 |
|
[WMC 10.40.070(B)(4)] |
Operation of NTV in reckless manner |
$150.00 |
|
[WMC 10.40.070(B)(5)] |
Operating an NTV without valid insurance. |
$100.00 |
|
§ 70.56 (a)(vi) |
Operating an NTV on State Street, except to cross at an intersection. |
$100.00 |
[Ord. 2014-35 § 9]