10 SB
519/AP
Senate
Bill 519
By:
Senators Mullis of the 53rd, Jackson of the 24th, Murphy of the 27th, Davis of
the 22nd, Staton of the 18th and others
VETOED
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To
amend Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to motor
vehicles and traffic, so as to modify certain definitions; to provide for a
minimum fine for impeding traffic flow; to change the hours of operation of
certain motorized carts; to allow golf carts to make seasonal deliveries in
residential areas; to provide for related matters; to provide for an effective
date; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
Title
40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to motor vehicles and
traffic, is amended by revising paragraphs (25.1) and (32) and adding new
paragraphs to Code Section 40-1-1, relating to definitions, as
follows:
"(25.1)
'Low-speed vehicle' means any four-wheeled electric vehicle whose top speed
attainable in one mile is greater than 20 miles per hour but not greater than 25
miles per hour on a paved level surface and which is manufactured in compliance
with those federal motor vehicle safety standards for low-speed vehicles set
forth in 49 C.F.R. Section 571.500 and in effect on January 1, 2001.
Low-speed
vehicle shall include golf carts and landscape type vehicles. Either of these
types of vehicles could have cargo platforms or bins to transport parcels or a
hitch to tow a trailer and be powered by gas or electric motors. These vehicles
shall not be required to have a vehicle identification number.
(32)
'Motorized cart' means every motor vehicle having no less than three wheels and
an unladen weight of
1,300
2,500
pounds or less and which cannot operate at more than 20 miles per
hour.
(51.1)
'Residential area' means areas zoned primarily or exclusively for single-family
or
multifamily residential use.
(55.1)
'Seasonal delivery personnel' means an employee of a licensed commercial
delivery service that has at least 10,000 employees in this state who is
delivering packages during the shipping period from October 1 to December 31
each year."
SECTION
1.1.
Said
title is further amended by revising subsection (a) Code Section 40-6-184,
relating to impeding the flow of traffic, as follows:
"(a)(1)
No person shall drive a motor vehicle at such a slow speed as to impede the
normal and reasonable movement of traffic, except when reduced speed is
necessary for safe operation.
(2)
On roads, streets, or highways with two or more lanes allowing for movement in
the same direction, no person shall continue to operate a motor vehicle in the
most left-hand lane at less than the maximum lawful speed limit once such person
knows or should reasonably know that he
or
she is being overtaken in such lane from
the rear by a motor vehicle traveling at a higher rate of speed, except when
such motor vehicle is preparing for a left turn.
This
subsection shall not apply to managed lanes.
(3)
Any conviction for a violation of the provisions of this subsection shall be
punishable
by
a minimum fine of $75.00 in addition to any other punishment authorized by
law."
SECTION
2.
Said
title is further amended by revising Code Section 40-6-330, relating to hours of
operation of motorized carts, as follows:
"40-6-330.
(a)
Motorized
carts may be operated on streets only during daylight hours unless
they
comply with
the equipment regulations promulgated by the commissioner of public
safety.
Motorized
carts may be operated on streets only during daylight hours unless the
applicable local government determines that a motorized cart may be operated at
night if it complies with the equipment regulations promulgated by that local
government. At a minimum, the equipment for motorized carts that may be
operated at night shall include operable headlights and tail lamps. Motorized
carts that may be operated at night which are manufactured after January 1,
2011, shall also be equipped with a horn and side reflectors.
(b)
Seasonal delivery personnel may use golf carts and landscape type vehicles
solely for
the
purpose of delivering express envelopes and packages that have a maximum size of
130 inches for the combined length and girth and weighing not more than 150
pounds.
(c)
Golf carts and landscape type vehicles may travel on public roads within
residential areas with a posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less.
Operators of golf carts and landscape type vehicles must possess a valid
driver's license.
(d)
Seasonal delivery personnel may pull a trailer from a golf cart or landscape
type vehicle provided such vehicles are marked in a conspicuous manner with the
name of the delivery service and equipped with the minimum equipment required
under this Code section, including, but not limited to, headlights, tail lamps,
and any other safety equipment required for operation after
sunset."
SECTION
3.
This
Act shall become effective on July 1, 2010.
SECTION
4.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.