Purpose: To ensure the safe operation of golf and other utility cart vehicles on campus.

Policy

  1. Anyone driving a golf or other utility cart on campus must read this policy, sign that they have read it and agree to adhere to the policy prior to driving a cart on campus.
  2. Carts are to be operated with the utmost courtesy, care and consideration for the safety of pedestrians and University property. Pedestrians shall be given the right-of-way at all times.
  3. Carts are provided to facilitate performance of work duties.
  4. Carts are to be properly equipped and utilized appropriately and safely.
  5. Carts driven on public roadways must adhere to all traffic laws and regulations and shall not impede normal traffic flow. Additional restrictions can be found here.
  6. Procedures and details for operating carts on campus are specified in the section below:

Procedures

A. EQUIPMENT:

  1. Carts will be equipped with a rear-mounted “Slow Moving Vehicle” sign [orange triangle].
  2. Carts will be equipped with a rear view mirror.
  3. Carts will be equipped with an audible warning device (horn, etc.) to signal their presence when behind pedestrians, cyclists, etc.
  4. Carts must not be modified in any manner that affects the recommended mode of operation, speed or safety of the cart.
  5. Working headlights and taillights are required for carts used between dusk and dawn.
  6. Mules (Grounds): Seatbelts will be usable and in good repair (OSHA requirement).

B. SUPERVISORS:

  1. Prior to operation of a cart, supervisors will ensure that each employee who operates a cart has reviewed and signed the Golf/Utility Cart agreement at the end of this policy. The supervisor will send a copy to the Office of Campus Safety.
  2. Supervisors are responsible for carrying out routine inspections of carts to address maintenance and needed repairs in order to decrease work disruption and increase safety in operation of carts.
  3. Supervisors shall be responsible for seeing to the timely completion of needed repairs when they are brought to their attention. If the cart cannot be operated safely until repairs have taken place, the cart shall be taken “out of service” until the repairs have been completed.

C. DRIVERS:

  1. No one under the age of eighteen (18) is allowed to operate a cart.
  2. A valid driver’s license is required to drive a cart on campus.
  3. All drivers must complete the online “Safe Driver Training” program prior to driving a cart. This training can be accessed from the Campus Safety webpage at: http://www.willamette.edu/dept/safety/parking/safedriver/
  4. Carts will be driven in compliance with the common “rules of the road,” adhering to all traffic laws and regulations, regardless of whether they are being operated on service drives, sidewalks or roadways. See map for additional restrictions.
  5. Operators will use standard hand signals to signal turns, unless the cart is equipped with electric signals.
  6. Mules/utility carts (Grounds vehicles): All occupants are required to use the seatbelts due to the instability of these vehicles (OSHA requirement).
  7. All loads must be safely and properly secured. Use the bed of the vehicle or ladder rack as much as possible. If it is necessary to carry items in the cab, they must be on the floorboard and properly secured. No part of the load can protrude out of the cab.
  8. Cart operators are responsible for the security of ignition keys during the time that a cart is assigned to them. Any time a cart is unattended, the ignition shall be turned off, the key removed from the ignition, and in the possession of the authorized operator.
  9. Carts shall be operated at speeds no greater than all safety concerns demand, not to exceed 10 mph while operating on campus.
  10. Always consider the terrain, weather conditions, and existing pedestrian and vehicular traffic, which may affect your ability to operate the cart safely. Extra diligence should be maintained when driving carts across the Skybridge as this bridge is heavily traveled and has blind corners.
  11. Riders will not occupy non-designated seats unless all seats are occupied. If possible, limit use of non-seats by making an extra trip, taking additional carts, or having extra riders walk to the job. No more than two people are allowed in non-designated open area of the cart.
  12. Limit the number of riders in the back of carts by making extra trips. All cart occupants must keep arms, hands, legs, and feet inside the cart, whether they are in seats or in the non-designated seats, when it is in operation. The driver is allowed to signal turns using arm signals. The driver will advise riders of elevation changes or hazards such as curbs, speed bumps, and other hazards that have the potential to injure a rider.
  13. Operate carts on service drives and roadways whenever possible. When operating in a congested or heavily traveled area because an alternate route is not available or advisable, the utmost care must be used with respect to pedestrians, property and landscaping.
  14. Carts are restricted from the following routes/areas 365 days of the year (see next for exceptional circumstances):
    1. Jackson Plaza
    2. Goudy Plaza
    3. all walkways between Jackson and Goudy plazas
    4. the sidewalk south of Rogers Music Center along the Mill Race
    5. Mill Race bridges by Goudy and the Hatfield library
    6. the sidewalk from the visitor parking lot to Mill Street between Delta Gamma and Alpha Chi Omega
    7. the sidewalk along the Mill Race between AGSM Mudd building and the Law school south entrance
  15. EXCEPTIONS for Restricted use areas. Carts may be used in the prohibited areas in the following instances:
    1. during an emergency, designated by any personnel who considers there to be a threat to (life of person(s) or serious threat to building/property)
    2. when work, deliveries, or support functions are being performed in and through these areas. In these instances, caution signs will be posted on or around carts to alert pedestrians. Campus Safety will be consulted to determine the degree of caution signage needed.
  16. Cart pads should be used for parking where available. Carts must not be parked:
    1. in Fire Lanes
    2. in DMV Disabled Parking spaces
    3. in Reserved Parking spaces
    4. in a manner that impedes entrance/exit to a building, approximately 10 feet
    5. in any manner that impedes the normal flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic
  17. Cart operator shall be required to provide timely notification to the supervisor of the department to which the cart is registered, any cart safety and maintenance concerns, including missing, damaged, or required equipment.

D. ACCIDENTS:

  1. Drivers involved in an accident must immediately report the incident to their supervisor and to Campus Safety, regardless of whether property damage or personal injury occurred.
  2. Accidents involving injury must be reported to Campus Safety, the injured employee’s immediate supervisor, and Human Resources.

E. CITATIONS / OTHER VIOLATIONS:

  1. Except in the case of a real or apparent emergency, parking citations will be issued for parking violations in fire lanes, reserved parking or handicapped parking spaces. Citations will be issued to the driver of the vehicle.
  2. Employees will be notified that they are responsible for paying for, or appealing, a citation, and for immediately notifying their supervisor.
  3. Other violations of this policy will be reported to Campus Safety, who will immediately notify the supervisor of the department responsible for the cart.

Golf Cart and Utility Cart Policy

Status: Enacted
Effective Date: February 2007
Last Revision Date: August 2014
Last Review Date: August 2014
Next Anticipated Review: April 2015
Responsible University Office: Office of Campus Safety
Responsible University Administrator: Rich Dennis
Primary Policy Contact: Rich Dennis, rdennis@willamette.edu, 503-370-6907

Willamette University

Campus Safety

Salem Campus

Address
University Services Building
Office Hours:
7:30 am–4 pm (M-F)
Phone
503-370-6911
Officer available 24/7/365 at
503-370-6911

Portland Campus

Address
Arlene and Harold Schnitzer Center for Art and Design
Office Hours:
8 am–4 pm (M-F)
Phone
503-621-2061
Officer available 24/7/365 at
503-370-6911

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