City announces motorized cart crossing areas
The Douglas City Commission passed an ordinance pertaining to motorized carts within the city limits of Douglas in 2018. Recently, the Georgia Department of Transportation approved intersections in Douglas that motorized carts may cross. Anyone driving a motorized cart should know the proper areas of Douglas to cross intersections safely.
According to Georgia Department of Transportation, city areas/streets that meet the minimum criterion for motorized cart crossings are as follows: State Route 135/US 221 at Gaskin Avenue, State Route 135/US 221 at McDonald Road, State Route 31/US 221/S. Peterson Ave.at College Park, State Route 31/ US 221/S. Madison Ave. at College Park, State Route 158/W. Baker Hwy. at College Avenue, State Route 158/E. Baker Hwy. at Mitchell Street (Crescent Circle), State Route 158/W. Baker Hwy. at Shirley Avenue, State Route 32/W. Ashley St. at Daughtry Avenue, State Route 32/W. Ward St at S. Daughtry Avenue, State Route 158/E. Baker Hwy. at S. Pearl Avenue, State Route 32/E. Ashley St. at S. Pearl Avenue, State Route 32/ E. Ward St. at S. Pearl Avenue, State Route 31/US 221/N. Peterson Ave.at W. Jackson St., State Route 31/US 221/N. Madison Ave. at E. Jackson St., State Route 31/US 221/N. Peterson Ave. at E. Gordon St., State Route 31/US 221/N. Madison Ave. at E. Gordon St., State Route 31/US 221/N. Peterson Ave. at W. Schley St., State Route 31/US 221/N. Madison Avenue at E. Schley St., State Route 31/US 221/N. Peterson Ave. at W. Jefferson St, and State Route 31/US 221/N. Madison Ave. at W. Jefferson Street.
DO NOT CROSS State Route 206/Bowens Mill Rd.at Touchton Dr., it was determined this intersection failed to meet connectivity and the speed limit is 55 MPH, the proposed motorized cart crossing is not approved.
State law mandates that motorized carts weigh less than 1,300 pounds and cannot exceed 20 miles per hour. If the vehicle does not comply, it cannot be legally registered or used on paths. Drivers of permitted motorized carts must have a valid state issued driver’s license as well as adhere to all traffic laws. Since 2018, motorized carts must be registered through the City of Douglas Marshal’s Office. When registering for a motorized cart permit, owners must provide VIN number, cart year model, make, and color. Before operating the cart on authorized roads, proof of minimum insurance coverage on motorized cart/auto insurance must be provided: Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident; Property damage liability $25,000 per person; Uninsured motorist bodily injury $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
Once registered, owners will receive a decal that must be affixed to the cart for its use on a city street. Motorized carts may only be operated on City approved 2 lane roads where there is one lane of traffic for the direction of travel and have a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less. Motorized carts may not be operated on any road that has been designated a part of the state or federal highway system unless it is an approved crossing/intersection which are listed above. The City of Douglas Police Department will issue citations for persons operating motorized carts on city streets and property without the proper permit/decal.
For a full copy of the motorized cart ordinance and a map of the approved streets for motorized cart crossings, please stop by the Douglas Marshal’s Office, located at City Hall, or go online to www.cityofdouglas.com.