By Roy Wood, Special to the Times Chronicle
The Town of Osoyoos could be sued for damages if someone were to be hurt while travelling on the street in an unlicensed and uninsured golf cart, an East Bench resident warned town council recently.
Ron Sargeant, who lives above Lakeshore Drive, told a recent meeting of council’s Committee of the Whole that he frequently sees adults and children driving and riding in golf carts along and across the busy street.
He cited a recent example in which “a couple with kids sitting in their laps” were driving across to the beach with arms full of swimming equipment.
Sargeant urged the town to implement requirements for golf carts to be licensed and insured before they are allowed on town streets and roads.
He cited Chase, BC, which he said allows insured carts on their roads so long as they are equipped with seat belts, brake lights, turn signals and a horn.
Such vehicles need to be capable of 30 km/h and must be inspected and registered at city hall, he said.
Sargeant told council he has spoken with the RCMP, who told him that the issue is the responsibility of the town. The Mounties also told him, “It’s only for two or three months of the year.”
But that doesn’t matter, he said. “We don’t allow bank robbers to rob banks two or three month of the year. The law has to be the law. … We have to start ticketing these people.”
Sargeant also mentioned the issue of golf carts in the neighbourhood near the Osoyoos Golf Club. He said some carts travelling between the golf course and homes in the area aren’t equipped with brake lights or turn signals and “you can’t tell if they are stopping or turning or anything.”
Following his presentation, Mayor Sue McKortoff told Sargeant council has gone through the issue before and has spoken with the RCMP. “So, we’re certainly aware of the issue, but thank you for bringing it up again.”
The mayor pointed out that the COW meeting was for information only and that decisions or policy changes are not made there.
