New Madrid Police cracking down on juveniles operating golf carts, all-terrain vehicles

NEW MADRID, Mo. - Calling it both dangerous and illegal, New Madrid city police are cracking down on the operation of golf cart, all-terrain vehicles and other vehicles by juveniles on city streets.

On Wednesday, officers began stopping vehicles operated by juveniles, who are violating the city ordinance. According to a statement from the department, juveniles illegally operating an ATV, UTV or golf cart will be turned over to the juvenile office for prosecution.

“Every summer, we reach a point where ATV, UTV and golf cart use by juveniles on city streets gets to be excessive,” authorities stated. “While we try to exercise some level of discretion and only give warnings, we have recently had numerous complaints about kids on golf carts and UTVs ignoring traffic laws and nearly causing accidents.”

Law enforcement noted juveniles can operate the vehicles on private property or outside city limits.