Peculiar declines local golf‑cart ordinance, to follow Missouri law for low‑speed vehicles

The Peculiar Board of Aldermen on Oct. 20 discussed whether to allow golf carts on city streets and ultimately indicated it will not draft a local golf‑cart ordinance. Instead, the board said it will follow existing Missouri law for low‑speed vehicles.

Staff told the board that homeowner insurance typically covers golf carts only while they remain on private property and that specialized insurance for use on public roads is unevenly available. City legal advisers and the prosecutor advised caution: creating a local permit system that expressly authorized golf carts for road use could increase the city’s exposure in liability cases even though staff said the city would likely prevail in litigation; staff noted that most cases settle.

Staff contrasted golf carts with low‑speed vehicles, which are defined under federal safety regulations (49 C.F.R. §571) and are specifically addressed by Missouri law (Mo. Rev. Stat. §304.029). The statute allows operation of low‑speed vehicles on streets with posted speed limits of 35 mph or less, requires drivers to have a driver’s license and proof of insurance, and allows municipalities to adopt ordinances that are more restrictive but not required to do so.

After discussion, the board indicated no member wished to advance Alderman Jarrett’s earlier golf‑cart bill and asked staff not to prepare a local low‑speed vehicle ordinance beyond following state statute. City staff said officers had been briefed on low‑speed vehicles and that vehicle owners bear responsibility to ensure compliance with state law and insurance requirements.

Board members also noted practical enforcement and safety issues and recommended continued public education and enforcement of existing traffic rules for low‑speed vehicles and utility vehicles.