ANNEXURE 1
The Editor
The Citizen
18 November 2016
Sir
Peachtree
City is well known for its 100 miles of golf cart paths. Approximately 11 400
golf carts are currently registered in Peachtree City, and though these environmentally
friendly carts have many benefits, they do not come without hazards. In the
three years 2011, 2012, 2013, a total of
200 accidents were reported, of which 40 incurred injuries, and 98 involved
drivers aged 16 years and under. I could find no recent statistics.
The City of Peachtree City has compiled
a comprehensive brochure entitled “Do YOU know the RULES?” and it provides all the
information an owner or a driver of such a vehicle needs to know about traveling
safely on the paths. Under the heading “Golf Cart Rules”,
one rule clearly states that “HORN or other audible signal REQUIRED
when approaching pedestrians from behind”. Under the section “Rules for all Path
Users” there is a rule reading “An audible warning is required from cart
drivers, bicyclists, and skaters when approaching pedestrians from behind”.
Between the list of rules for all path users and those for golf carts, a horn
is pictured with the words AUDIBLE SIGNAL REQUIRED in large print.
It is interesting to note that the rules also emphasize
that pedestrians should be given the right of way by all other path users.
The matter of audible
warnings is not only a rule, it also forms part of the city’s Code of
Ordinances. The following is an excerpt:
Sec. 78-96 (f) reads “A warning or announcement shall be given by
operators of golf carts and other users of the recreational paths, such as
bicyclists and skaters, when approaching pedestrians from the rear. This
warning or announcement may be verbal, but it is recommended that bicyclists
and golf cart operators equip their vehicles with a warning device such as a
horn or bell. Each user of the recreation paths shall be considerate of the
safety and welfare of other users, and dangerous conduct will not be tolerated”.
Penalties for violations are also included in the Code of Ordinances.
I am concerned that this
particular rule is blatantly ignored in Peachtree City. What is being done
regarding its enforcement? Because most of the carts are electric, they move
quietly, so when a golf cart unexpectedly closes in on the heels of an
unsuspecting pedestrian, it can be startling, and if the pedestrian is walking
two or more leashed dogs the result can be chaotic, and even dangerous. The
task of reining in dogs who have been contentedly sniffing the grass alongside
the path, is more easily accomplished with prior warning of an approaching golf
cart.
In view of the popularity of golf carts, the
number of carts will no doubt increase in years to come. The first paths were
built in the 1970s, and they now cover a distance of 100 miles. Is it not time
for the City to consider amending the
Code of Ordinances by making it compulsory for every golf cart to be equipped with a horn or bell, thus conforming
to the Georgia law which came into force on 1 January 2012? Surely it is not up to flustered pedestrians
to be making notes of the registration numbers of carts driven by
transgressors? Is
it really expected that a driver should be raising his voice loud enough to
warn a pedestrian, or a group of pedestrians in conversation, of his approach,
and from what distance? Attaching a horn or bicycle bell to a cart is a simple
and inexpensive task.
The most worrying
piece of information given to me during the course of my enquiries was from a
dealer who said that none of the golf carts he rents out is equipped with a
horn.
Susan Buekes
120 Heritage Way
Peachtree City
Telephone 404 421 6778
ANNEXURE 2
From: Susan Buekes
Sent: Tuesday, January 24, 2017 5:18 PM
To: citymgr@peachtree-city.org
Cc: info@peachtree-city.org
Subject: Golf Cart Regulations
Good day Mr Rorie
On 29th November 2016 , The Citizen newspaper published a
letter that I had submitted regarding golf carts and safety. The letter is
copied hereunder for your information.
I wish to know how I start the process of persuading you and the
councilors representing the citizens of Peachtree City, to have the Code of
Ordinances amended so that the absence of a horn on a golf cart is an offence
and thus easier to police. The present situation is open to abuse.
I look forward to hearing from you in the very near future.
Yours sincerely
Susan Buekes
404 421 6778 (cell)
18 November 2016
Sir
Peachtree City is well known for its 100 miles of golf cart paths.
Approximately 11 400 golf carts are currently registered in Peachtree City, and
though these environmentally friendly carts have many benefits, they do not
come without hazards. During the three years 2011, 2012, 2013, a total of 200
accidents were reported, and of these, forty incurred injuries. There is no way
of determining how many accidents went unreported during that period. I could
not find recent statistics.
Peachtree City has compiled a
comprehensive brochure entitled “Do YOU know the RULES?” and it provides all
the information an owner or a driver of a golf cart needs to know about
traveling safely on the paths. Under the heading “Golf Cart Rules”,
one rule clearly states “HORN or
other audible signal REQUIRED when approaching pedestrians from behind”. Under
the section “Rules for all Path Users” another states “An audible warning
is required from cart drivers, bicyclists, and skaters when approaching
pedestrians from behind”. In addition, between the list of rules for all path
users and those for golf carts, a horn is pictured with the words AUDIBLE SIGNAL
REQUIRED in large print.
It is interesting to note
that the rules also emphasize that pedestrians should be given the right of way
by all other path users.
The matter of audible warnings is not only a rule, it also forms
part of the city’s Code of Ordinances. The following is an excerpt:
Sec. 78-96 (f) reads “A
warning or announcement shall be given by operators of golf carts and other
users of the recreational paths, such as bicyclists and skaters, when
approaching pedestrians from the rear. This warning or announcement may be
verbal, but it is recommended that bicyclists and golf cart operators equip
their vehicles with a warning device such as a horn or bell. Each user of the
recreation paths shall be considerate of the safety and welfare of other users,
and dangerous conduct will not be tolerated”. Penalties for violations are
also included in the Code of Ordinances.
I am concerned that this particular rule is blatantly ignored in
Peachtree City. What is being done regarding its enforcement? Because most of
the carts are electric, they move quietly, so when a golf cart unexpectedly
closes in on the heels of an unsuspecting pedestrian, it can be startling, and
if the pedestrian is walking two or more leashed dogs the result can be
chaotic, and even dangerous. The task of reining in dogs who have been
contentedly sniffing the grass alongside the path, is more easily accomplished
with prior warning from the approaching golf cart.
In view of the popularity of golf carts, the
number of carts will no doubt increase in years to come. The first paths were
built in the 1970s, and they now cover a distance of 100 miles. Is it not time
for the City to consider amending its
Code of Ordinances by making it compulsory for every golf cart to be equipped with a horn or bell, thus
conforming to the Georgia law which came into force on 1 January 2012? Surely it is not up to flustered pedestrians
to be making notes of the registration numbers of carts driven by
transgressors? Is it really expected that a driver should be raising his voice
loud enough to warn a pedestrian, or a group of pedestrians in conversation, of
his approach, and from what distance? This by no means frivolous problem could
easily be solved by fitting a horn or bicycle bell to a cart, a simple and inexpensive
task, and by that small change in the Code of Ordinances. I am informed that
the 2017 golf cart models come equipped with built-in horns.
The most worrying piece of information given to me during the
course of my enquiries was from a dealer who said that none of the golf carts
he rents out is equipped with a horn.
Susan Buekes
120 Heritage Way
Peachtree City
Telephone 404 421 6778