NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) –– Miles from the nearest golf course, golf carts are seemingly taking on the streets and sidewalks of the French Quarter, but city officials say they’re illegal.
At a gathering earlier this month, council members questioned Department of Public Works officials about who’s accountable for enforcing golf cart regulations.
DPW’s Office of Surface Transportation is accountable for licensing taxi services, but these golf carts operate with no license and DPW says it’s outside their jurisdiction.
“We approach them, we talk to them, we ask them not to operate, but our hands are tied because we cannot officially force them to stop operating,” said operations manager Erica Jarreau.
According to state lawit is unlawful to operate a golf cart on public roads or streets.
The New Orleans Police Department said in an announcement that it had stopped several of the vehicles. “Some golf carts and commercial delivery vehicles (LSVs) are being unlawfully used as unlicensed taxis for hired passengers. “Golf carts and delivery trucks were observed operating illegally in the RTA streetcar lanes, along the Moon Walk River Boat Cruise docks and the Jackson Square boardwalk, where they were stopped and ticketed for traffic violations.”
It’s not only officials who’re frustrated with these vehicles. Pedicab drivers say they’re running a business and are potentially dangerous, but they’re willing to share the road in the event that they use proper channels.
“If they wish to introduce this as a legal business, then go ahead and do it as a legal business. Let them undergo what we undergo to get their driver’s license on the streets,” said the “Cajun Queen” taxi driver.
DPW is working on a public information campaign, and council members add that if needed, they may introduce further regulations banning golf carts as early as next month.
