MCSO Suspends White Line Shoulder Enforcement for Golf Cars

State rep proposes plan to clear up golf-car confusion




By Jeff Grant

Independent Newsmedia, Inc. USA

Updated September 20, 2013




Sun Cities officials are praising an area state legislator’s proposal to clear up confusion over the operation of golf cars on local roadways in Arizona’s age-restricted communities.

Dist. 21 Rep. Debbie Lesko (R-Peoria) said she will introduce a bill when the legislature returns to session in January 2014, allowing golf cars to be driven on the right side of the roadway if it is safe to do so. The measure would apply regardless of whether white road lines are present.

“This will help clarify things,” said Merlyn Carlson, chairman of PORA’s Traffic Safety Committee in Sun City West.

Ms. Lesko announced the plan in an e-mail following a meeting Sept. 17 with fellow Dist. 21 Rep. Rick Gray, Maricopa County Supervisor Clint Hickman and representatives of the Maricopa County Department of Transportation, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff’s Posse, and the Sun City Homeowners Association.

The session followed by 3 months the ticketing of some Sun City golf car drivers for driving inside the painted shoulder. Ms. Lesko issued an appeal to constituents for input, and called the meeting at SCHOA headquarters, 10401 W. Coggins Drive, to discuss feedback and a potential solution.

“The vast majority of my constituents have said they just want to drive on the right side of the road,” she stated in an e-mail prior to the session.

However, MCDOT and MCSO interpret the current law differently on where golf cars can be driven.

“I will be working out the details of the legislation with our legislative lawyers and will continue to get input from MCDOT, MCSO, SCHOA, PORA, and constituents,” Ms. Lesko stated in an e-mail after the meeting.

MCSO has agreed to suspend writing of citations against golf car drivers who are operating inside the painted shoulder in age-restricted communities. Golf car drivers, however, could be cited for violations if they are involved in an accident and driving within the painted shoulder.

 

Thanks for posting this commander and thanks to Debbie and Rick for pushing the legislature to do the right thing. Safety should be everyone's primary objective.

 

It's nice to know that the Sheriff's Office has agreed to quit issuing tickets for driving in the safest area of the street--except if you get in an accident. Then you might be issued a citation? That seems clear to me--kind of. When I was younger, I might have planted my tongue in my cheek and suggested the "maybe" portion could possibly be related to whether you had a Hispanic appearance. Learning long ago that anything that appears to even hint at the slightest criticism of Sheriff Joe or his minions is likely set off an immediate firestorm, I have disciplined myself to keeping my tongue out of my cheek and my mouth firmly clamped. But I did kind of chuckle to myself.

 

As far as possible tickets, you must have a valid drivers license, registration and insurance. You must use signals when changing lanes either with blinkers or by hand. When entering a controlled intersection you must be in a traffic lane not the shoulder if you are proceeding straight through an intersection. The worst intersection I have seen for this offense is at 103rd and Thunderbird. If you have seat belts use them. If you don't have seat belts please get them. Most injuries are from falling or being ejected from the golf cart. Be safe out there as our roads are starting to show our winter visitors are returning!