Golf Cart/Utility Vehicles Policy
Purpose
To establish standards for the safe operation and use of Golf Cart/Utility Vehicles at the University of Dayton (University). Departments at the University provide Golf Cart/Utility Vehicles to employees so that they may fulfill their job-related duties. Golf Cart/Utility Vehicles are used to transport equipment and people, patrol the campus grounds and for campus maintenance activities.
Scope
This policy establishes consistent standards regarding:
1. Golf Cart/Utility Vehicle Operating Standards
2. Department & Driver Responsibilities
3. Operator Requirements & Standards
4. Golf Cart/Utility Vehicle Condition and Standard Safety Features
5. Accident Reporting Procedures
Policy History
Effective Date: January 2008
Approval: September 18, 2026
Policy History:
- Approved in original form: January 2008
- Approved as amended: January 25, 2016
- Approved as amended: September 18, 2026
Maintenance of Policy: Vice President for Safety, Audit, Risk & Compliance, Division of Safety, Audit, Risk & Compliance
Definitions
A. “Golf Cart/Utility Vehicle” is defined as a four-wheeled non-licensed low-speed vehicle.
Policy
Golf Cart/Utility Vehicles owned or leased by departments at the University may only be used for official department/University business by employees, student employees and University approved volunteers who are associated with a University department. Golf Cart/Utility Vehicles may not be used for personal business such as unauthorized home-to-office travel, which will be considered vehicle misuse.
No privately-owned golf carts or utility vehicles may be operated on University property.
Drivers must be certified University drivers in accordance with the University’s Vehicle Use and Driver Certification Policy and have knowledge of and compliance with applicable state laws, rules, regulations and policies. Noncompliance may result in suspension of user privileges.
I. EQUIPMENT
A. All new Golf Cart/Utility Vehicle acquisitions (new, used or remanufactured) must meet the minimum safety features found in National Highway Safety and Traffic Administration (NHSTA), Standard 500 (49 CFR Part 571.500), hereafter "Standard 500."
B. The following equipment is required to be present and operational on all new Golf Cart/Utility Vehicles. For existing vehicles that do not meet these requirements, efforts should be made to add equipment where possible.
- Emergency brake
- Horn/audible warning device
- Ignition shutoff/security systems
- Slow-moving vehicle safety triangle on rear of vehicle
- Red reflectors and turn signal lamps on front and rear of vehicle
- Equipment tie-downs appropriate for load
- Lights (head, tail, brake)
- Department name to be identified clearly on vehicle in three-inch minimum letters and to include UD logos that adhere to the University Logo Guidelines
- Mirrors on driver’s side, and either a passenger’s side mirror or an interior mirror
- Backing alarm
- Seat belt assemblies
- Maximum speed of 25 mph (governor recommended)
Note: Short-term event rentals may be exempt from some of these equipment standards, i.e., UD logo and after-market devices such as the slow-moving sign, but must meet general safety standards.
II. VEHICLE OPERATION
- Golf Cart/Utility Vehicle operators must always yield to pedestrians.
- Golf Cart/Utility Vehicles shall observe all vehicle traffic laws i.e. stopping at stop signs, etc. in accordance with Ohio Revised Code Title 45.
- Dual earbuds or noise-canceling headphones are prohibited while operating the Golf Cart/Utility Vehicles. Hands-free cell phone operation only is permitted for work related use only.
- Golf Cart/Utility Vehicles shall not be operated in a manner that may endanger passengers, other members of the University community or property i.e. no driving on landscaping, bumping into bollards, etc.
- The number of passengers and load capacity shall not exceed the manufacturer’s rated limit (number of seats equals number of passengers).
- Golf Cart/Utility Vehicles are restricted to streets, sidewalks and paths on the University campus, driving on grass is strictly prohibited.
- Golf Cart/Utility Vehicles can only be parked on hard covered surfaces and must not block any entrances to buildings, stairways, ramps, fire lanes (including fire equipment), accessible areas or thoroughfares.
- Operators must reduce speed to match other users on all streets, sidewalks, and paths. In crowded pedestrian areas, operators must proceed at a slow walking pace.
- Operators are prohibited from operating carts inside, under, or through the confines of University buildings.
III. VEHICLE FUELING AND STORAGE
All operators must receive department specific fueling instructions when applicable and all vehicles must be charged and stored in approved sites. Each of these designated sites will take into account machine specific hazards for life safety, fire safety (flammability of fuel, off-gassing from battery charging, etc.) and the security of the vehicle.
IV. RESPONSIBILITY FOR ENFORCEMENT, REMEDIES, SANCTIONS
A. Departments with Golf Cart/Utility Vehicles must verify that operators are Certified Drivers as per the Vehicle Use and Driver Certification Policy.
B. Golf Cart/Utility Vehicle Maintenance Responsibility
- Each Golf Cart/Utility Vehicle operator is responsible for providing timely notification of safety and maintenance concerns to the supervisor of the department to which the Golf Cart/Utility Vehicle is registered.
- Supervisors will be responsible for seeing to the timely repair of such concerns and if the Golf Cart/Utility Vehicle cannot be operated safely without said repairs taking place, the Golf Cart/Utility Vehicle will be taken out of service until the repairs are completed.
- The department of ownership is responsible for the cost of maintenance and the appearance of the Golf Cart/Utility Vehicles (no dents, dings, cracked fenders, etc.)
- The department of ownership is responsible for the cost of repairing damage to the Golf Cart/Utility Vehicle caused by regular use and/or the cost of insurance deductible for third party damages.
C. Accident Reporting Process
All accidents involving a Golf Cart/Utility Vehicles will be reported immediately to the supervisor of the department to which the Golf Cart/Utility Vehicle is registered and a Public Safety Incident Report filed. The Division of Safety, Audit, Risk and Compliance must be notified within 24-hours of the accident or the next business day or driving privileges may be suspended, regardless of whether property damage or personal injury occurred.