As the crackle of fireworks prepares to echo through Upper Arlington's suburban idyll, the city government reminds everyone that while tradition looms large, so do the laws governing under-speed vehicles, including those leisurely golf carts we often see zipping around during festive times. According to a reminder posted on the City of Upper Arlington's website, these handy carriages must comply with a range of Ohio Department of Public Safety standards, including functional lights, seatbelts, reliable brakes, and proper paperwork.
Don’t get too ensconced in your holiday reverie though, because Upper Arlington has dismissed the previous five-day exemption for these vehicles around Independence Day, though there's a nod given for their use in the city’s Fourth of July Parade and safely penned-in block parties; however, if you have non-street legal golf carts over the holiday, be wary, you might find yourself hitching a ride in a tow truck instead of under the parade banners, if the authorities stop you for veering onto a public road—except the special cases mentioned.
Fulfilling these regulations isn't just for decorum’s sake—it's a green light to traverse the city's less hustling and bustling streets legally. Golf carts can only travel on asphalt where the speed limit signs are at a maximum of 25 mph. However, crossing busier intersections is okay—if, that is, your carriage has the legit seal of approval from law enforcement, complete with all stated requirements, such as a windshield to keep the July bugs from your grin and rear-view mirrors to watch for the less-prepared trying to keep up in your rambunctious wake.
So, before you tilt your seat back and let the warm summer air tousle your hair in a golf cart, reach out to the Upper Arlington Police Division, which performs the necessary inspections to assure your vehicle won’t be the parade pooper. The Division helpfully offers a phone number for pre-inspection coordination—614-583-5160—but remember, they're sticklers for one more thing: seatbelts at every seat, just to keep each joyous jaunt on the safe side. However, you must ensure they're included in your checklist.
If any of this vehicular vernacular has motored past your understanding or you spot a golf cart gallivanting outside the guardrails of the law, the city’s Police Division is ready on the other end of the line at 614-583-5150. With that, may your Fourth of July celebrations be marked by responsible vehicle management, set against a backdrop of firework finery and unbridled patriotism. The community hopes to cruise into the summer with safe streets and clear consciences all around.
