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Golf Cart/Utility Vehicle (GCUV) Operation

Purpose

This policy provides guidelines for the safe operation and use of GCUV (GCUV) at Carleton College.  All departments who provide GCUV to employees (including student employees) to fulfill job related duties or to provide transport for individuals with temporary or permanent disability needs are expected to comply with these guidelines.

Policy

GCUV may only be used for official Carleton business by approved drivers. GCUV may not be used for personal business such as home-to-office travel.

GCUV Driver Responsibilities

GCUV operation is governed under Minnesota Statutes and operators are subject to the rules of the road, including stopping, turning and safe operation.

GCUV drivers must have a valid US drivers’ license with a satisfactory driving record in accordance with the Carleton Driving Privileges Policy.

• GCUV drivers are responsible for the security of ignition keys during the time that a GCUV is assigned to them. Any time a GCUV is unattended, the ignition should be turned off, and the key removed from the ignition.
• GCUV should not be operated as speeds greater than 10MPH, speeds less than 10MPH may be required if hazardous conditions (rain; rough terrain; pedestrian and/or vehicular traffic) exist.  GCUV should not be operated in a manner that may endanger passengers, other individuals or damage Carleton property.
• GCUV drivers are not permitted to use cell phones or wear devices that impede hearing, e.g., stereo headsets, earplugs, etc. while driving.
• GCUV will be operated only on Carleton College property.  Whenever possible GCUV should be driven on hard surfaces such as roads and side walks.  Avoid driving on any landscaped area unless it is the only available way to gain access to the specific area where work is being performed. If a  GCUV must be on a landscaped area it should return to a hard surface as soon as possible.
• GCUV operators will stop at all intersections with limited visibility and then proceed with caution.
• GCUV drivers will use hand signals to signal turns and stops if it is necessary to operating on streets.
• Employees will not operate GCUV registered to other departments unless the supervisor of the department to which the GCUV is registered has granted prior approval.
• GCUV should be operated in such a manner that they do not impede or interfere with normal pedestrian or vehicular traffic flow on sidewalks, ramps or roadways. GCUV must travel in the direction of the flow of traffic and must obey all campus traffic regulations and signs.
• Contractors working on behalf of Carleton must receive a copy of and follow the operating procedures of the GCUV policy.
• GCUV will be operated with the utmost courtesy, care, and consideration for the safety of pedestrians.  Pedestrians will be given the right-of-way at all times.
• Never backup without looking to see what is behind the GCUV.
• Never shift gears while the GCUV is in motion.
• GCUV will not be parked:
• • in Fire Lanes
  • in DMV Disabled Parking
  • in Reserved Parking
  • within 20 feet of the main entrance/exit of any building in any manner that would impede the normal flow of pedestrian traffic
• All passengers must be in seats designed for such use. No passengers are allowed to be transported in the truck beds or on the sides of GCUV.  Passengers must keep their heads, legs and arms within the cab.
• GCUV drivers are not permitted to pick up unauthorized passengers.
• Each GCUV drivers are responsible for providing timely notification of safety and maintenance concerns to their department supervisor. 

Supervisor Responsibilities

• Supervisors will provide a copy of the GCUV policy to each employee in their department, who operates a GCUV.
• All GCUV drivers must have a valid US drivers’ license with a satisfactory driving record in accordance with the Carleton Driving Privileges Policy.
• Departments should provide a minimal amount of hands on training prior to an employee driving a GCUV.  Utility Vehicle operators should take the United Educators Golf Cart Safety training. To view the training either log in with your preexisting United Educators information or register by using your name and email address.  After that step United Educators will send you a temporary password that you can change to a permanent password and take the course.
• Departments will implement procedures for the safe keeping and monitoring of all GCUV registered to them. Such procedures may include the use of a “sign-out log” for keys.

Departmental Responsibilities

• GCUV owned by Carleton College will be equipped and maintained with working headlights, and taillights (two red lights, one each located on the opposite sides at the rear of the GCUV that stay on during night operations).
• GCUV purchased prior to 8/1/2005 or GCUV donated or rented for events without headlights are to be used only during day light.
• GCUV will not be modified in any manner that affects the recommended mode of operation, speed or safety equipment.
• The department of ownership shall ensure that each GCUV is routinely inspected and maintained as recommended by the manufacturer, at least annually.
• The department of ownership will be responsible for timely repairs, if the GCUV cannot be operated safely without repairs, the GCUV will be taken “out of service” until the repairs are completed.
• The department of ownership is responsible for the cost of repairing damage to the Golf Cart/Utility Vehicle caused by regular use or an unpreventable accident.
• The department of ownership is responsible for the cost of repairing damage to the Golf Cart/Utility Vehicle caused by misuse, abuse or a preventable accident.
• The department of ownership is responsible for providing secure storage of the Golf Cart/Utility Vehicle in either a secure structure of a secure fenced-in area overnight or when not in use.

Reckless Operation and Accident Reporting Process

GCUV drivers observed in violation of the guidelines above or driving in another erratic manner should be reported to Security, ext. 4444.

All accidents involving a GCUV should be reported immediately to the supervisor of the department to which the GCUV is registered and to Security, (ext 4444), regardless of whether property damage or personal injury occurred.

Last Revised: February 22, 2021

For: Faculty, Staff, Students

Last Reviewed: February 22, 2021

Maintained by: Business Office

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