SULLIVAN COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Off road vehicles (ORV), side-by-sides and golf carts can be driven for fun or to help get the job done but come with several warnings.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, (CPSC) 526,900 emergency department treated injuries are associated with off-highway-vehicles. That staggering number comes from the CPSC report from 2016 to 2018. The report states the CPSC is aware of 2,211 deaths. 55 of those deaths, reported in Indiana.
If you plan on taking your vehicle from the dirt to the pavement, it will need to be ‘street legal.’
Cities, Counties, and Towns have the authority to adopt ordinances surrounding off road vehicles and golf carts.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) website says Laws governing ORV use on public roads are made individually by each county. Counties may have different requirements and restrictions. They suggest reviewing county ordinances before riding or contacting your local government or your local DNR Law Enforcement District.
When it comes to side-by-sides, Indiana has specific roadworthy requirements.
“The state of Indiana requires you to be registered,” Indiana State Police, Public Information Officer, Matt Ames said. “However, you need to check with your local towns, your local counties, they may have different ordinances in reference to a side-by-side and make sure you’re following those.”
Golf carts have become an increasingly popular means of transportation. Constance Wright, a Sullivan resident relies on her golf cart to get around town. It’s her only form of transportation. She said it was a fairly easy process to get it street ready.
“You have to have it inspected through the police and get an ID number on there and have an orange thing on the back,” Wright said. “Other than that, that’s about it.”
The orange thing on the back?
“Some local towns may require you to put a slow-moving emblem on the golf cart for it to be operated in the town itself,” Ames said. “One of the other things that is required out there, is they need to make sure the golf cart has operating lights and taillights on the vehicle so therefore if it does get to be dusk hours, you can activate those lights, that they can be seen the entire time.”
Ames said that it’s illegal to drive golf carts on highways. Something Wright wouldn’t consider.
“I don’t go out to Walmart on it,” Wright said. “Because I don’t feel safe going out there. Here around town, I don’t feel too bad,” she added.
When it comes to kids and golf carts Ames says children may not understand the repercussions that can come along with operating it.
“They’re thinking that a golf cart is like a toy. However, a toy that can go 20-25 miles per hour is a speed that they can get actually injured at,” Ames said. “We’ve seen more types of golf cart accidents with children, just because they don’t understand the consequences of operating a motor vehicle.”
While Indiana does not require ORV education, several states do. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) offers Indiana approved safety courses in ORV and off-highway vehicles (OHV) for those interested.
Ames said it’s important for parents to sit down and talk with kids about safety when it comes to operating any type of off-road vehicle. Understanding the rules of the road, learning about the dangers and warnings, and practicing driving with a parent are beneficial.
