Love ‘em or hate ’em, people driving golf carts in the city of South Haven can be a wonderful convenience to those using them. At the same time, they can be an annoyance to others driving on city streets. Going back about four years, the city permitted golf carts on city streets with the drivers trusted to follow state guidelines with speed limits of 30 miles per hours, and using hand signals when turning. The drivers have to be at least 16-years-old and have a valid drivers license. After the city receiving complaints about underage drivers, intoxicated drivers and too many people riding on the golf carts, the city has done something about it. A new ordinance approved the city council will require the golf carts to be equipped more like full sized automobiles with seat belts, mirrors, turn signals and lights. The owners will have to register their golf carts with the city and get city-issued license plates. The number of riders is limited to the number of seats. South Haven’s Planning Commission was tasked with coming up with the new guidelines.
