Regina, Saskatchewan — “Sorry I was late. There was a golf cart blocking up the left lane,” is a phrase some Saskatchewan residents may have to get used to saying now that the province’s Urban Municipalities Association recently passed a resolution considering them for public roadways.
The resolution passed last week at the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association’s (SUMA) annual convention seeks to update the Traffic Safety Act to grant municipalities the power to permit golf carts on their roadways, as well as allow them to design golf cart rules specific to their constituents.
There is legislation in Saskatchewan that allows for the limited use of golf carts on public roads, however, municipalities seeking such approval must pass bylaws that conform with best practices established by SGI and include certain stipulations, like allowing transportation via golf carts only to and from golf courses using the most direct route.
Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI), via its spokesperson Tyler McMurchy, says it is currently developing a pilot project to address safety concerns around alternative transportation options like e-scooters and golf carts.
“(It) seems to be that it’s envisioned for use in resort communities, not necessarily driving down 8th Street in Saskatoon in a golf cart,” McMurchy said.
He says that SGI’s decision-making will be in part informed by similar efforts being made in B.C., where the question of golf carts for senior communities has been raised.
From the collision repair side of things, little is known about if or what changes to insurance and liability will be made to address the eventuality of road collisions between golf carts and full-sized vehicles.
