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PORT O’CONNOR – Ed Wiatt plans to hold off selling golf carts with his newly acquired EZGO dealership. He needs the legislature to clear up something.
“I don’t want to sell golf carts to customers and it ends up they can’t use them,” the owner of Coastal Ed’s Trading Post and Creamery in Port O’Connor said.
He will still sell to industry users.
The Texas Department of Transportation had announced plans to not register or title golf carts starting Sept. 1, but will hold off on that plan so legislators can look at the issue. The department hosted a legislative briefing Monday to receive feedback on its proposal.
The agency proposed to stop registering golf carts as slow-moving vehicles because of safety concerns, spokeswoman Kim Sue Lia Perkes said. An officer in Houston complained about a golf cart driving on Interstate 10.
Law enforcement officers have reported increases in the golf carts popping up on public roadways, she said, adding it was likely because of high gas prices.
The agency will stop registering and titling small utility vehicles – they will follow regulations like all-terrain vehicles, Perkes said.
“It’s obviously an issue that’s close to people’s hearts, especially those that have golf carts and have been registering them,” she said.
Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office deputies would like clarification of the confusing law, Sheriff B.B. Browning said.
The only way to use the unregistered golf carts is within two miles of a golf course, on a public or private beach or inside master-planned communities.
But Port O’Connor and other area residents have been driving them on public streets, Browning said.
In order to do that, residents must register the vehicle, installing all necessary safety devices.
Deputies have been warning violators for the past month and, starting Monday, will ticket violators, he said. Those holding open alcohol containers will be arrested for driving while intoxicated, he said.
“We’ll be going by the letter of the law,” Browning said.
Wiatt fears the transportation department wants to abolish the use of golf carts and encourages residents to write to state Rep. Juan Garcia. Wiatt keeps a letter template at Coastal Ed’s.
“When we see TxDOT’s proposal, I’ll work with our constituents in Calhoun County and around the district to make sure their concerns are addressed,” Garcia said via e-mail.
Golf carts use less gas and driving larger vehicles less helps with air pollution, Wiatt said.
He would also like the law to clarify things.
“We’re keeping our fingers crossed,” he said.
To title and register your golf cart, take this to the county tax office:
Completed affidavit of fact to support an application for certificate of title for slow-moving vehicle (Form VTR 471). This form is available at the tax office.
Evidence of ownership, such as bill of sale or invoice.
Application for title/registration, Form 130-U.
Proof of insurance.
For more information, visit www.txdot.gov