§ 66-6. Operation regulations.

(a)

Those persons who are 16 years of age and older with a valid license to operate a motor vehicle may drive a motorized cart on the recreation paths and/or streets and those areas accessible by the public of the city unless such person has had his or her license to operate a motor vehicle suspended or revoked by the state which issued said license, in which case such person shall not be permitted to operate a motorized cart on the recreation paths and/or streets and those areas accessible by the public of the city during the time of suspension or revocation.

(b)

Those persons who are at least 15 years of age with a valid instructional permit issued by the state pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 40-5-24, as may be amended, may drive a motorized cart on the recreation paths and/or streets and those areas accessible by the public of the provided his or her instruction permit has not been suspended or revoked. Such persons shall be subject to the driving restrictions and conditions applicable persons holding an instruction permit to operate a noncommercial Class C vehicle as set out in O.C.G.A. § 40-5-24 and incorporated herein by reference.

(c)

No person under 15 years of age may drive a motorized cart on the recreation paths and/or streets and those areas accessible by the public of the city.

(d)

All operators shall abide by all traffic regulations applicable to vehicular traffic when using the recreation paths, streets and those areas accessible by the public in the city. Where cart paths exist, they must be used in preference to parallel city streets.

(e)

Motorized carts may be operated on specified sidewalks at any time, but must always yield the right-of-way to pedestrians.

(f)

Motorized carts may be operated over those authorized streets, recreational paths and those areas accessible by the public only during daylight hours unless such motorized carts are equipped with functional headlights and taillights.

(g)

No motorized cart shall be permitted to operate over, along, or across Highway 41, Highway 151, Highway 2, and Highway 3 within the boundaries of the city, except where authorized crossings are provided.

(h)

No motorized cart shall be permitted to operate on the sidewalk abutting the northern right-of-way of Nashville Street between Depot Street and the crosswalk across Nashville Street at the intersection of Nashville Street and Jail Street.

(i)

It shall be unlawful for the owner of any motorized cart or LSMV or any other person operating, employing, permitting the use of or otherwise directing the use of such motorized cart or LSMV to operate or permit the operator of any motorized cart or LSMV to drive over the recreational paths, streets or those areas accessible by the public in the city in violation of this article.

(j)

Only persons possessing a valid license issued by the state, other state of the United States, or international agency that permits such person to operate a motor vehicle on the highways of the state may operate a LSMV on the paved recreational paths or streets located within the territorial boundaries of the city.

(k)

No LSMV shall be permitted to operate on, over, along, or across Highway 41, Highway 151, Highway 2, and Highway 3 within the boundaries of the city, except where authorized crossings are provided. No LSMV shall be permitted to operate on any street of which the posted speed limit exceeds 35 miles per hour. Except, as prohibited above, LSMVs shall be permitted to cross over streets of which the posted speed limit exceeds 35 miles per hour.

(l)

Only persons possessing a valid driver's license, or in lieu of a driver's license, persons who are at least 18 years of age and older, may operate an EPAMD on the paved recreational paths or streets located within the territorial boundaries of the city.

(m)

No EPAMD shall be permitted to operate on, over, along, or across Highway 41, Highway 151, Highway 2, and Highway 3 within the boundaries of the city, except where authorized pedestrian crossings are provided. No EPAMD shall be permitted to operate on any street of which the posted speed limit exceeds 35 miles per hour. Except, as prohibited above, EPAMDs shall be permitted to cross over streets of which the posted speed limit exceeds 35 miles per hour.

(n)

EPAMDs shall be equipped with the following: front, rear, and side reflectors which shall be visible from a distance of 300 feet when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlights on a motor vehicle; a system that when employed will enable the operator to bring the device to a controlled stop; and, if the device is operated between one-half hour after sunset and one-half hour before sunrise, a lamp emitting a white light which, while the device is in motion, illuminates the area in front of the operator for a distance of 300 feet.

(o)

No person shall operate an EPAMD at a speed greater than seven miles per hour when traveling on any path or sidewalk, or 15 miles per hour on any other city right-of-way.

(p)

No person shall operate an EPAMD with more than a single user at any time.

(Ord. No. 2008-1013, § 2, 10-13-08; Ord. No. 2013-0812, § 1, 8-12-13)