Town of Shellbrook against golf carts freely travelling across community

By Jaryn Vecchio

The Town of Shellbrook has no plans to allow people to drive golf carts around the community anytime soon.

The town’s council met Monday and decided not to bring a motion forward which would have given drivers more freedom on the roads.

Mayor Amund Otterson told paNOW the main issue they have is safety.

“The tendency for kids to drive golf carts would rear its ugly head,” he said.

He added these vehicles would only cause more headaches in the downtown core, especially on Main Street.

“We already have people making illegal left turns on Main Street and when you’re backing out, you could hit someone on a (golf cart),” Otterson said.

The town discussed the idea after Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) updated its policy on golf carts in May, allowing municipalities to choose whether the carts can be widely used or not.

SGI started looking into the matter after a resolution was passed at the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association’s annual convention which advocated for more freedom for the vehicles.

Otterson explained there were some in Shellbrook who were in favour as they’ve received requests from several people over the years. However, town council decided they would cause more issues than they would solve.

The decision by council doesn’t mean golf carts are completely outlawed.

“We are allowed to drive from our homes directly to the golf course and then back home,” Otterson said.

Drivers must take the quickest route to the course and aren’t allowed to go anywhere else in the community. There’s a similar rule in place for dirt bikes and ATVs as people using them can drive from their homes to the nearest trail system.