From: Ronald Stone
Columbus
Concerning The Republic’s recent editorial written about the possible UTV/Golf Cart ordinance:
The primary argument (and only argument) The Republic used against allowing UTVs and golf carts on our roads centers on their limited occupant protection compared to standard automobiles. This is a valid point; these vehicles are not designed with the same crumple zones, airbags, or reinforced structures as cars and trucks. However, to use this as the sole justification for a ban overlooks several critical considerations.
We already permit numerous other forms of transportation on our roads that offer minimal to no occupant protection. Motorcycles, mopeds, bicycles, and even pedestrians regularly share our roadways. These modes of transport inherently carry a higher risk in a collision with a full-sized vehicle, yet their presence is accepted, often with specific regulations to enhance their safety. UTVs and golf carts, particularly when equipped with proper safety features, offer at least as much, if not more, protection than a bicycle or motorcycle.
The proposal specifically targets county roads and subdivision streets in unincorporated areas. These environments typically feature lower speed limits, reduced traffic density, and less commercial vehicle traffic compared to major thoroughfares. This controlled environment significantly mitigates the risk of high-speed collisions, which are where the lack of protection becomes most critical. The risk profile in a 25 mph subdivision differs vastly from that on a 55 mph highway.
The safety of any vehicle operation ultimately rests with the driver. Implying that the inherent design of UTVs and golf carts makes them universally unsafe, regardless of responsible operation, is an unfair assessment.
Bicycles don’t require registration, license or insurance no matter how big and fast they are. Motorcyclists aren’t required to wear a helmet.
Thomas Jefferson stated that all people are endowed with certain inalienable rights, including the right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
This ordinance accounts for two of the three.
