Golf cart ordinance delayed: Delcambre researching similar ordinances in other communities

DELCAMBRE — An interested group of residents packed Monday’s meeting of the Delcambre Board of Aldermen to discuss a possible ordinance that would allow the use of golf carts on the town’s streets, but left with no resolution to the issue yet as the board tabled the matter until next month’s meeting after a lengthy discussion.
The town is comparing ordinances in other communities that allow golf carts to be ridden on town streets to try to craft a similar ordinance for Delcambre, if that’s what the board decides to do. Duhon has copies of ordinances from Erath and Youngsville that allow the use of golf carts on some of their streets.
“We’re going to look at three different ordinances from three different places — Erath, Youngsville and Grand Isle,” City attorney Gabe Duhon said. “We have two of the three already. So by putting it back on the agenda next month, if the council chooses, they could introduce a proposed ordinance at that time. Which would mean the following month it could be approved and go into law. So there’s a delay every step of the way.”
The reason for looking at those ordinances is to learn from them and see what the best ordinance for Delcambre would be, Duhon said.
The board approved a motion to have Duhon contact the state Department of Transportation and Development to ask if DOTD would allow golf carts to cross La. 14 and Railroad Street (La. 330), as state law does not allow off-road vehicles on state roads, and to draft an ordinance before next month for allowing golf carts on town streets.
Many residents attending the meeting wanted to have the ability to cross those major thoroughfares, limited to one crossing of each. It was suggested that the proposed crossing of La. 14 be at the intersection with Railroad Street, where there’s a traffic signal. Railroad at Main Street, which also has a traffic signal, was proposed as the crossing for La. 330.
Another resident brought up Grand Isle, which allows golf carts on La. 1, the main drag through town.
“We can call the mayor (of Grand Isle) and find out exactly what they have and they can send it to us, and we’ll take it from there,” Mayor Pam Blakely said.
Duhon said the town of Delcambre currently has adopted ordinances that follow RS 32:299, which basically makes it illegal to have any off-road vehicles on the road, with exceptions for things like farm vehicles.
“However, other municipalities have opted out of that provision to some degree, all of which amount to allowing some off-road vehicles like golf carts. They generally allow them if the vehicles are driven by licensed drivers, are registered with the town and operated between dusk and dawn. No underaged drivers are allowed, and no drinking alcohol while operating the vehicles, he said. Some ask for the vehicles to be made street legal and have headlights and turn signals.
Youngsville has had “huge problems” with its golf cart ordinance, apparently, Duhon said, ranging from drunk people driving the carts to minors driving them. He then suggested the floor be opened up to discussion from people who support allowing golf cart use on Delcambre streets.
“What we cannot do is allow anyone to drive these things on state highways, obviously, it’s prohibited,” Duhon said. “You don’t have the authority to do that.”
When asked if there were exceptions for riding lawnmowers, Duhon said, if moving from one yard to the one next door, probably, but his opinion was that Delcambre ordinances do not allow people to ride their mowers along the road or across state highways.
One resident suggested that golf carts be allowed if they’re used by licensed drivers, with no minors allowed to drive them. He said he wouldn’t mind it if the residents were required to register their golf carts with the town and pay an annual fee to have a sticker indicating it’s legal for them to be driven on the street.
If DOTD doesn’t allow exemptions for crossing the state highways, one resident asked if the town could pass an ordinance allowing golf carts to be ridden on the streets without crossing those roadways.
“The council has the authority to do what you’re suggesting,” Duhon said. “They do not have the authority to allow folks to cross over state highways.”