The Mesquite Police Department sent out a press release a
few weeks ago reminding citizens of the numerous limitations on "Low Speed
Vehicles" (government-speak for "golf carts"). The article mentioned that golf carts
couldn't be used on city streets unless they had headlights, tail lights, turn
signals, rear-view mirrors, seatbelts, air bags, anti-lock brakes, and Global
Positioning Satellite navigational systems.
Okay, the last three items on that long list are
exaggerations...but not by much.
Most of these ridiculous requirements aren't MPD's
idea. They are borne of the crucible
from whence most truly idiotic ideas spew -- the state legislature.
It reminds me of the cartoon about OSHA's version of the
cowboy, complete with obnoxious safety features that render the species
unrecognizable.
The same is true in this instance.
At a time in history where the government has so miserably
failed its citizenry in allowing oil companies to rape and pillage pockets with
confiscatory pricing on gasoline, all lawmakers should hang their head in
shame. The last thing they should be
doing is adding more restrictions as to which non-gas-guzzling machines are
allowed to travel our city streets.
Electric golf carts are a spectacular answer to a variety of
problems, beginning with the fact that they don't use gasoline, are quieter,
and don't pollute. (As an avowed
anti-environmentalist, I usually don't give a whit about emissions or
greenhouse gasses, but this is a win-win.)
They are also small, don't take up much room on the road,
and can fit in small parking areas.
Due to the fact that they travel at about half the speed of
smell, as Ron White would say, they are a much safer means of travel than most
cars and all motorcycles.
Speaking of which the state, and thereby the city, have
similar unwieldy restrictions on mopeds and scooters. Those two-wheeled vehicles aren't as safe as golf carts, but are
much more economical to operate than your average Harley, take up less of the
road, and would contribute to lower emissions and lower consumption of fossil
fuels.
Yet in both instances, our nanny-state overseers claim that
all these rules and restrictions banning golf carts and scooters on the roads
are for our own good, and in place to maintain safety.
Hogwash.
It's not about safety, it's about money.
These "low speed vehicles" don't sport license
plates, which means the state hasn't had an opportunity to gouge their
operators for the exorbitant fees they charge other motorists.
At some point, common sense must enter into the equation.
The city of Mesquite is stuck. They could implement a new set of traffic laws within the city
limits that would allow the use of golf carts, scooters, and other methods of
convenient conveyance. However, the
feds and staties would cut off our road funding faster than a young Kennedy
sporting a new tattoo.
Of course, if our local government had a little more spine
and a smaller hand constantly outstretched in search of municipal welfare
(grants and gifts from state and federal coffers), we could do whatever we
wanted, since the main roads of Mesquite Blvd., Pioneer Blvd., Sandhill Blvd.,
and Falcon Ridge Parkway are all now city streets thanks to the deal we made
with NDOT in 2005. (Only Grapevine,
Riverside Road, and possibly Hillside Drive are still state-owned.)
But our city government is never going to give up what they
continue to call "free money," so we will continue to operate under
the yoke of greedy and short-sighted state legislators.
The only other option would be for our police department to
quietly let it be known that their enforcement policy would be to look the
other way on LSV's. Non-enforcement
policies on various laws are common throughout the country (otherwise police
would never have time to catch real criminals or solve real crimes).
Unfortunately, again, that would take some support and
backing from a city government that quivers every time the word
"lawsuit" is tossed in their direction (and with our current city
attorney, who could blame them).
It's a shame.
To have a city where people could take their golf carts to
the store or use it to visit friends in the next subdivision would be quaint
and attractive.
It would also be extremely convenient, economical, and
sensible for those who live here.
But governments long ago stopped caring what was best for
their constituents, so this is a non-starter.
However, it's nice to dream.
There is a way but it is difficult and very expensive. Nevada recognizes and licenses low speed electric vehicles which are golf carts on steroids. They must meet minimum equipment and speed requirements but cannot be operated on any street with a speed limit greater than 35 mph. To tell the truth, I can tell almost no difference between my street legal LSEV and my old golf cart that I had outfitted with all of the safety stuff but still could not license.
ReplyDeleteExcept, that I must pay FULL price for the license plates just like I do for my full size car even though the LSEV can be driven only on a fraction of the roads in the State. And we all know what it costs to register a car in Nevada. It aint cheap brother.
Then there was the issue of the Mesquite DMV deciding they were unqualified to inspect the vehicle for plates; A vehicle with fewer moving parts than the average DMV office chair. On the surface it was a singularly uncomplicated job but it took three, count 'em, one-two-three, trips to Vegas, with the cart in tow, for the much more highly qualified big city DMV bureaucrats to OK this US Transportation Department certified LSEV as eligible for Nevada plates and of course taxes. Lots and lots of taxes.
See what happens when government cares and helps.
Observer