Orange Park passes first reading of golf cart ordinance

The town council passed its first reading of an ordinance regulating golf carts within the town during its Jan. 10 meeting.

The law authorizes licensed drivers aged 16 or over to operate the vehicles between sunrise and sunset on town streets with posted speed limits of 25 miles per hour or less. However, golf carts with headlights, brake lights, turn signals and a windshield may be operated at any time.

The vehicles may not cross state or federal highways, including Park Avenue (U.S. 17), Kingsley Avenue (State Road 224), Wells Road or Doctors Lake Drive.

They also may not be driven on sidewalks, ditches, unpaved streets or rights of way.

The ordinance also requires liability insurance for golf carts operating on town streets.

Violators of the ordinance could be cited for non-criminal traffic citations.