SUBJECT: R. GOLF CART--UTILITY VEHICLE OPERATING PROCEDURE
EFFECTIVE DATE: 08/04 REVISED: 08/10
1. INTRODUCTION
A. This procedure provides guidelines for the
use of electric or gas-powered carts and/or similar utility type vehicles
(carts, gators) on the campus of The University of Tennessee at Martin. The
intent is to establish proper safety procedures and practices, as well as to
promote and provide for a safer environment for students, faculty and staff.
2. STATEMENT OF PROCEDURE
A. All members of the University community are
governed by this policy (students, staff, faculty and contractors/vendors). All
operators of carts must meet the following criteria before operating a cart on
property under the jurisdiction of The University of Tennessee at Martin.
(1) Possess a valid Tennessee driver's license.
(2) Know and adhere to the State of Tennessee motor vehicle laws.
Note: UT employees who will be operating carts are required to obtain a
Tennessee driver's license within thirty (30) days after: commencement of such
employment or notice that they will be operating a cart as part of their job
duties. Full-time out-of-state students who have a valid driver's license from
their state of residence are exempted from the requirement of obtaining a
Tennessee driver's license for only that period of time allowed by Tennessee
law.
B. The safe operation of carts is paramount.
Failure to follow this policy, render common practices or courtesies, or follow
rules of the road for the State of Tennessee, could result in citation,
appropriate disciplinary action, and/or suspension of operator's cart driving
privileges.
C. All carts must be maintained so that all
original equipment safety features are kept in good working order.
D. Minimum safety features for carts acquired
by departments prior to effective date of this policy are to include:
(1) Carts must be four-wheeled vehicles - No three-wheeled vehicles.
(2) All original equipment safety features must be kept in good working
order.
E. The following outlines procedures for the
safe operation of carts:
(1) Supervisors must monitor and ensure that all persons operating carts have
been instructed in the safe operation of carts and that only authorized
passengers are allowed.
(2) The speed limit for carts is 15 mph.
(3) All carts are prohibited from operating on the roadways of the campus except
when crossing from one side of the street to another or utilizing a roadway
where no sidewalk exists. In most cases, sidewalks are to be used while right-of-way
is to be rendered to all pedestrians.
(4) The crosswalk with curb cuts between the Administration Building and the
Stadium parking lot, and the crosswalk connecting the sidewalk north of Brehm
Hall and the Farm Road have been designated as the routes to be used for
crossing University Street.
Note: Operators are to use due caution in crosswalks. Carts using
pedestrian crosswalks DO NOT have the right-of-way.
(5) The operator must report any accidents to the Department of Public Safety
and to the operator's supervisor. The Department of Public Safety will forward
a copy of the accident information to Environmental Health and Safety.
(6) Modification or tampering with a cart's governor is prohibited.
(7) Operators may not wear headsets nor use cell phones or other electronic
devices while operating carts.
(8) Operators are prohibited from operating carts on roadways outside the
boundaries of the University.
(9) Operators are prohibited from operating carts inside, under, or through the
confines of University buildings.
(10) Pedestrians have the right-of-way on campus. Carts must yield to
pedestrians on sidewalks. SPEED IS TO BE REDUCED TO A MINIMUM WHEN DRIVING
ALONG OR CROSSING SIDEWALKS SO AS TO AVOID ACCIDENTS WITH PEDESTRIANS.
(11) Cart operators are to be diligent and pay particular attention to the
needs of disabled persons, as limitations in vision, hearing or mobility may
impair their ability to see, hear, or move out of the way of carts.
(12) Carts are not to be overloaded, i.e. carrying more passengers than seating
provided or overloading the cart's recommended carrying or load capacity.
(13) The name of the University department and University identification number
(provided by Physical Plant at the department's expense) must be displayed
prominently on University-owned carts. Contractors and other non-affiliated
departments/companies, corporations, etc. must display company name and vehicle
identification number (VIN) on their carts at the owner's expense.
(14) Cart operators are responsible for ignition keys for the period of time in
which they are using the vehicle. Keys shall not be left in carts.
(15) Operators must park carts away from heavily traveled pedestrian areas or
in designated cart parking areas.
(16) Cart operators are not to block the path nor limit pedestrian access on
walkways.
(17) University-owned carts are to be used for University business only.
(18) Any cart operated after dark must have operable head lights.
(19) To assist in maintaining the beauty of the campus, cart operators must
drive on the sidewalks or other paved surfaces and use extreme caution to keep
all wheels on the pavement when turning corners.
F. University-owned carts are to be maintained
in accordance with manufacturer and Physical Plant's recommended service
schedule.
(1) Repairs and regular maintenance are the responsibility of the Department
owning the cart. The departments are financially responsible for all repair and
maintenance costs (labor, parts, and supplies). The department is required to
keep all preventative maintenance and repair records related to the cart;
however, for those services provided by Transportation Services, Transportation
Services will keep such records.
(2) Departments are responsible for keeping all original equipment and safety
features in good working order.
G. Personally-owned
carts are prohibited from operating on University property. However, special
consideration will be given to ADA accommodations.