Arran-Elderslie residents are being reminded not to drive golf carts on local roads.

The reminder comes following a call to South Bruce OPP regarding a person driving a golf cart on Victoria Street in Paisley in the Municipality of Arran-Elderslie on June 29.

Police are reminding residents that although golf carts may resemble low-speed vehicles, they do not meet the safety standards for low-speed vehicles required in the Highway Traffic Act (HTA) and the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (MVSA). As golf carts don’t meet the safety standards, they must not be operated on a roadway in Ontario.

There is a 10-year pilot project allowing golf carts on local town roads in the Township of Huron-Kinloss and the Township of Pelee Island. An amendment to the Highway Traffic Act and a Municipal bylaw is required to permit the operation of a golf cart on the road, which doesn’t currently apply in Arran-Elderslie.

Potential fines for driving a golf cart on a road include:

·      Operate motor vehicle on a roadway with no insurance

·      Operate motor vehicle without required equipment

·      Operate motor vehicle with no vehicle permit

·      Operate motor vehicle on roadway with no driver’s licence

The Township of Huron-Kinloss has created a bylaw allowing the operation of specially equipped golf carts on select roadways. Anyone interested in more information is encouraged to visit the Township website at: https://www.huronkinloss.com.