NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) –– Miles away from the nearest course, golf carts are seemingly taking over the streets and sidewalks of the French Quarter, but city officials say they are illegal.
In a meeting earlier this month, council members grilled officials from the Department of Public Works about who is responsible for enforcement of the golf carts.
The Ground Transportation Bureau within DPW is responsible for licensing taxi services, but these golf carts are operating unlicensed, and DPW says it’s out of their jurisdiction.
“We approach them, we talk to them, we ask them, not to operate, but our hands are tied because we can’t officially force them to stop operating,” said Operations Supervisor Erica Jarreau.
According to state law, operating a golf cart on public roads or streets is illegal.
The New Orleans Police Department said in a statement that it has stopped several of these vehicles. “Some golf carts and LSV’s (Low Speed Vehicles) are being unlawfully operated as unlicensed taxi shuttles for hired passengers. The golf carts and LSV’s have been observed unlawfully traveling in the RTA Streetcar Lanes, along the Moon Walk River Boat Cruise dock areas and Jackson Square pedestrian mall, where they were stopped and issued citations for traffic law violations.”
Officials are not the only ones frustrated with these vehicles. Pedicab drivers argue they take business and are potentially unsafe but are willing to share the road if went through the proper channels.
“If they want to bring it in as a legal business, then go ahead and bring it in as a legal business. Have them go through the same thing we go through in order to be licensed on the streets,” said pedicab driver “Cajun Queen.”
DPW is working on a public information campaign, and council members add that they may introduce further legislation to ban golf carts as early as next month if necessary.
Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.