Carry All Safety Program Attachment

The Virginia Vehicle Code, Section 46.2-676, now permits the use of utility/golf carts on college and university campuses within certain limitations. Also, this department is making certain requirements for operation locally. Bold print pertains to matters found in the Vehicle Code.

• Carts must have no more than 25 horsepower.
  
  
• Carts must be equipped with a "slow moving placard. We will also require a tall fiberglass whip with a "dayglo" orange flag affixed at the top.
  
  
• Carts may only be operated on the road during the time between sunrise and sunset, unless equipped for operation on the highway (lights); the following is suggested:
  
  
  • Headlights to be illuminated at all times, night or day.
    
    
  • Equipped with turn signals and brake lights.
  
  
• Carts are not to be operated on highways with posted limits higher than 35mph. We have none of these on/or around campus, but remember the prevailing speeds are usually higher than 35MPH on Bluestone, Duke, Carrier Drives, University Blvd., and South Main Street.
  
  
• Carts can only be operated within the confines of the campus boundaries, i.e., NOT ON Grace, Mason, Paul, Cantrell, Port Republic, Reservoir, or University Blvd. beyond the Arboretum. They CANNOT be operated in Forest Hills to Oakview. If there is no continuous property on either side of the street it is highly unlikely that carts can be operated on such a street. They are permitted on Bluestone, Duke, Driver, and Carrier Drives, as well as University Blvd. through campus.
  
  
• Carts can only be operated by university employees WHILE ON OFFICIAL BUSINESS (no students not employed by JMU); and only by a Virginia licensed operator (no employees with operator's licenses from other states).
  
  
• Equip carts with roof and windshield to prevent road debris from striking the operator and passenger.
  
  
• Equip carts with "roll-over" cages and safety belts.
  
  
• Require all employees to be assigned to carts to take familiarized course in the operation of the cart to be utilized.
  
  
• Primary routes should be confined to wide service drive/sidewalks; narrow walks are out since a cart could push pedestrians into the street, placing them in harms way.
  
  
• USE EXTREME CAUTION ON University Blvd. Blind curves and hills, high prevailing speeds, the history of vehicular accidents at curves and hills preclude the use of carts on this highway.