NOLA golf cart drivers could start to receive tickets and have their vehicles confiscated by NOPD

NOLA golf cart drivers could start to receive tickets and have their vehicles confiscated by NOPD Electric Car

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Popping up. We are seeing more golf carts throughout the city, especially in the French Quarter.

But they are illegal to ride on city streets. Even as neighbors complain, they are beginning to operate as pedicabs.

Now, NOPD said it's looking into ways to cut down on their use, including issuing tickets, boots or even confiscating them.

Councilman Freddie King III said, "We want to bring NOPD in. Give them enforcement powers."

King said his office has been receiving calls and emails about the golf carts.

"They have no insurance. They cannot get insurance. And from a safety point of view if a person is hurt in an accident. There are no seatbelts. There are no doors."

Bob Simms Lives in the French Quarter and said, "The other forms of transportation, like taxis and pedicabs, are having to compete with someone who isn't paying taxes. Or insurance. It's not a good thing."

Simms said his biggest concern is these carts are not registered or insured.

"What needs to happen is the agencies responsible for enforcement need to step up."

This man who lives in the French Quarter did not want to be shown. He said he owns a few golf carts for personal use, as a way to get to his gigs in the French Quarter. But said he understands why the carts pose a problem for residents.

"In the past year and a half, there's been people that are giving rides. Getting in fights with pedicabs. Like actually getting into fights. It's not a good look because it makes all people on golf carts look bad."

"Whether it French Quarter residents, or Marigny residents. Whether it's business owners who have pedicabs. They don't want it here. And it's not legal here, so it shouldn't be here."

The city's Department of Public Works released the following statement about the situation:

"The Department of Public Works (DPW) is currently addressing the issues regarding the use of golf cart type vehicles across the city and the potential road hazards and concerns regarding pedestrian safety. DPW is also aware that the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) is also reviewing enforcement options regarding the use of golf cart type vehicles. DPW reminds the public that these golf cart type vehicles are not legal to drive on city streets and the city's ground transportation bureau is not is not authorizing golf cart type vehicles in the for-hire industry."

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