State Rep. Aaron Miller testified this week before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in support of his legislation to allow golf carts in small towns to be driven on the right side of state trunk lines as long as certain safety provisions are met.

In Michigan, a village or city of fewer than 30,000 residents may adopt a resolution allowing golf carts to be operated on streets. However, the law currently prevents individuals from operating a golf cart on state trunk lines. In many small communities, parts of town are connected by only a state trunk line.

“This bill would allow for residents in many small communities to maintain safety while using their golf carts,” said Miller, of Sturgis. “The bill would give drivers the freedom to drive their golf carts to cafes and other convenient areas.”

Mark Honeysett, village manager from the Village of Constantine, testified in support of the bill.

Under current Michigan law, individuals driving a golf cart must:

• Be at least 16 years old and have a valid driver’s license

• Follow the same traffic signals required for motor vehicles

• Drive on the far-right side of the road

• Only operate a golf cart during daylight hours

• Not drive faster than 15 miles an hour

• Not drive on any road that has a speed limit of 30 miles an hour or higher except to cross that street.

House Bill 4945 introduced by Rep. Miller remains under consideration by the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.