Golf Cart Crossing

Background

The Riverside Sheriff’s Office (RSO) received a specialized grant known as an OTS grant to help the department conduct five safety patrol operations, including a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) checkpoint on Railroad Canyon Road. These grant-funded operations mandate a zero-tolerance approach to law enforcement by RSO.

 

In preparation for the OTS saturation patrol on December 8, 2023, the Riverside Sheriff’s Office researched all applicable laws to be enforced, with the initial patrol focusing on DUI incidents. During this research phase, the legality of golf cart crossings was brought to the department’s attention. (Click here to view RSO’s December 2023 Council Presentation.)

 

As of December 2023, the legality of golf cart crossings on Railroad Canyon Road has been challenged by RSO, disrupting the usual practice of Canyon Lakers regarding golf cart crossings at the Railroad Canyon Road/Canyon Lake Drive South intersection.

 

During the December 8, 2023, patrol event, the Riverside Sheriff’s Office stated that only 2-seater golf carts were legally allowed to cross Railroad Canyon Road during daytime hours with pedestrian traffic. No restrictions were imposed on street-legal NEV/LSVs crossing with other vehicle traffic. However, modified golf carts with more than two seats were prohibited from crossing. RSO distributed educational flyers containing golf cart vs. NEV/LSV vehicle requirements to those pulled over during the patrol event. RSO also electronically delivered educational material to City staff. Once RSO brought this issue to the attention of City staff, all agencies involved worked towards feasible solutions to resolve this important issue. During a July 5, 2024, OTS saturation patrol event, the Riverside Sheriff’s Office conducted further research and began enforcing all applicable laws with citations.

 

Currently, the Riverside Sheriff’s Office deems it unlawful for any golf cart, regardless of the number of seats, to cross Railroad Canyon Road. At present, only street-legal NEV/LSV vehicles with valid license plates can legally cross Railroad Canyon Road.

 

Steps Forward

The following efforts to find a path forward and develop a safe solution for golf cart crossings on Railroad Canyon Road are listed below:

  • Research findings and open communication between all agencies: RSO, City, Agency’s Legal Counsel, and Willdan Engineering.
  • Ongoing review of Municipal Code 12.08.
  • Ongoing amendments and modifications to the Municipal Code—currently in draft and multi-agency approval stages.
  • Ongoing review of state legislation.
  • Safety Corridor qualification status in progress.
  • New laws implemented on June 30, 2024, allow for further mph reductions, and the City will seek a new designation to enforce a 45-mph speed limit on Railroad Canyon Road where applicable.
  • On March 13, 2024, Willdan performed a Golf Cart Crossing Traffic Safety Study and Engineering and Traffic Study, followed by a Council presentation identifying a path forward. (Click here to view the presentation.)
  • On July 19, 2024, the City hosted a Town Hall Meeting with City, RSO, and POA leaders to update the public and address concerns. (Click here to view the meeting and here to view the original Town Hall Notification announcement.)
  • On July 31, 2024, the City proposed the adoption of Ordinance 248, establishing a golf cart transportation program, including the development of a Golf Cart Transportation Plan and proposed amendments to Municipal Code 12.08 and 12.09. (Click here to see the meeting agenda.)

Updates are available on the topic-specific webpage.

 

Golf_Cart_Presentation(2).pdf