Recent complaints about the unsafe use of golf carts is prompting law enforcement officials in Port Neches and Nederland to step up enforcement.

Both of the Mid-County cities passed ordinances regarding the operation of golf carts with Nederland passing an ordinance on Jan. 25, 2010, and Port Neches passing an ordinance on June 2, 2011.

Officers with both departments have stopped individuals who are in violation of the ordinances and not operating the vehicle safely and now is the time for enforcement.

Port Neches Police Chief Paul Lemoine said his officers have made a lot of traffic stops and will soon be issuing citations for what he called “repeat offenders.”

“The most common thing I’ve seen is someone holding a baby in their lap and that will get you an automatic ticket,” Lemoine said.

Lemoine has also observed juveniles hanging off the back or sides of golf carts, which is dangerous, he said.

Nederland Assistant Police Chief Gary Porter said the department is ready to aggressively enforce the ordinance.

Under the ordinance, which stems from recent legislation, drivers of golf carts must be licensed to operate a vehicle and the golf cart must be covered by liability insurance. All passengers must be seated while the golf cart is in motion; no passengers in lap. Golf carts are allowed to cross a highway or street wit a speed limit of 35 mph or greater but only at an intersection.

Texas Transportation Code changed in September 2009 regulating golf carts as a motor vehicle.

Should an underage person be caught driving a golf cart, both the juvenile and the parents may be held responsible, Porter said.

“Parents could be cited for different violations than the juveniles. They can be cited for allowing kids to operate a motor vehicle without a license and the kids can be cited for violation of the city ordinance,” Porter said.

The ordinance also states a golf cart must have headlamps, tail lamps, reflectors, parking brake and mirrors. A golf cart must also display a ‘slow moving vehicle’ emblem

Vehicles such as Polaris Rangers, Razors, Kawasaki Mules and other recreational off-highway vehicles cannot be operated on city streets or highways.

Neither the city of Groves nor Port Arthur have ordinances regarding the operation of golf carts.

mmeaux@panews.com