Brunswick introduces ordinance that would prohibit golf carts on city streets

BRUNSWICK — Brunswick City Council began discussions Monday on prohibiting driving golf carts on streets within the city. The proposed ordinance would prohibit the operation of low-speed, under-speed utility vehicles or mini trucks on city streets as defined in the Ohio Revised Code. The ordinance would apply to golf carts. Those who violate the ordinance would be fined between $50 and $500, and violators could not be imprisoned for more than 30 days. If someone is found guilty of the violation, and they were operating the vehicle in a "reckless or wanton manner," the court could impose a class five suspension on their driver's license. Police Chief Robert Safran said the ordinance results from complaints of golf carts on the roadway. Since January 2024, the police department has received around a dozen complaints regarding golf carts in the roadway that are impeding traffic or being operated by a juvenile. "There's a couple neighborhoods where it's a problem," he said. "There was an incident last May where the golf cart was stolen out of somebody's driveway, and they drove through Rolling Hills and through yards." The prohibition would apply even if the golf cart has been inspected, has the proper registration, safety requirements like seat belts and the ability to reach a certain mph range, Safran said. "The average weight of a golf cart is about 800 pounds versus a 3,000-pound vehicle," he said. "Getting those off the roadway would basically be a safety issue, and that's why we're proposing this ordinance." Ward 3 Councilman Brandon Lambert suggested the ordinance limit main roads rather than all city streets as long as the golf cart is street legal. "There's probably a few people out there that have them, and they use (golf carts) that are titled and tagged and street legal," he said. "They do all the right things. I don't see why those people should get punished because some 18-year-old idiot took one out on (state Route) 303 once." Brunswick resident James Evanoff also spoke against the ordinance during Monday's meeting. "Don't penalize those who have street legal, low-speed vehicles like golf carts because one or two jerks want to go ripping through a neighborhood or go over somebody's grass," he said. The ordinance was moved to a second reading on Monday. Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.