Utility Vehicle and Golf Cart Program
This program establishes the procedures to be followed for using a utility vehicle or golf cart on campus. Only authorized drivers may operate these vehicles. Utility vehicles and golf carts are university property. These vehicles are vulnerable to rollovers and tipping. This program is designed to assist in preventing property damage or injuries that may occur while operating these types of vehicles.
This program applies to all University of Wisconsin Oshkosh employees, students, and volunteers who operate a utility vehicle or golf cart on campus.
To operate a utility vehicle or golf cart on campus:
- complete training as assigned by the EHS Manager. Please contact Danielle Juan at juand@uwosh.edu to get started.
- submit a completed and signed Utility Vehicle and Golf Cart Use Acknowledgement Form that acknowledges the operator understands their responsibilities and will follow basic safety precautions.
Operator Responsibilities
- Vehicles may be used throughout the year, 24 hours a day. If utilized during the hours of darkness the vehicle must be equipped with headlights and taillights and they must be activated while in use.
- Vehicles can be operated on sidewalks around the University. The speed limit is 5 mph.
- Operations on grass is prohibited except:
- When no other route is available
- Pedestrians are walking on a sidewalk
- A specific department of campus has prior authorization to operate on the grass
- Must comply with vehicle capacity as per the manufacturer’s manual. No one can ride in cargo area or by hanging onto the side of the vehicle. Do not allow anyone on the car that is not authorized to drive or be a passenger.
- Driver’s must always yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and roadway vehicles. No passing of other non-traditional vehicles while both vehicles are in motion at the same time.
- Parking brakes must be used when the vehicle is not in motion.
- Cargo must be fastened and shall not extend out of the cargo area.
- Utility vehicles must only cross roadways at designated pedestrian crosswalks.
- Notify your supervisor of any damage that occurs when you were operating the vehicle.
- Operators must come to a complete stop, look both ways and yield to all traffic in the roadway.
- If vehicle is not equipped with turn signals, hand signals MUST be used.
Basic Safety Precautions
- Slow down when approaching a walkway. Know operational widths between objects near the sidewalk
- Park off to the side of buildings, walkways and entrances. Make your parking job look nice.
- Do not drive with earbuds in. Do not use a smart device (cell phone, iPod, etc.), while driving.
- Be cautious while operating in bad weather.
- Don’t drive on steep inclines. Don’t attempt to drive up or down the stairs. Don’t drive over a large curb. Carts aren’t made for quick maneuvers and could tip over if turned too quickly or sharply
- People are always watching (some recording) how you operate and like to report bad driving behaviors.
- Report any observed unsafe driving to your supervisor and/or the UWOPD. Unsafe operation or violation of this program can result in disciplinary actions, revocation of approval to drive, and/or a citation.