PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) – Panama City commissioners approved a new way to ride around downtown Panama City and St. Andrews.

“This will just make it a more friendly environment to come downtown or to St. Andrews,” said Jenna Haligas, Panama City Commissioner, Ward I.

Those wheels will be on golf carts.

“I’m not opposed to golf carts, we want to make all of this fun and connective I want it to be safe,” said a Panama City resident.

Panama City police are concerned about safety.

“The issues that we see is underage drivers and then irresponsible parents,” said Mark Smith, Panama City police chief. “When I say irresponsible parents it’s the parents that are driving their golf carts with eight nine, ten-year-olds that are standing up hanging on the sides of them standing up on the back of them or putting, you know, six people, or seven people in a golf cart that seats four.”

Police officials say they are trying to educate people to avoid these situations.

“Have we had accidents from it? No. Is there potential? Yes,” said Smith.

Commissioners clarified the rules for driving the carts during Tuesday’s commission meeting.

“You have to be a licensed driver, you still have to follow the laws you can’t drive at night, for example, without headlights. so you know, there were still some things like that you’re not going to be able to ride on any sidewalk or multi-use path,” said Haligas. “It’s still someone’s responsibility to know what the laws are it’s a personal responsibility to understand that. “

Downtown Improvement Board staff believe this new ordinance will attract more people to the area.

“When people can hop on their golf carts for a quick trip, they’re more likely to frequent our local businesses,” said Maria Williams, executive director of the Downtown Improvement Board.

They’re hoping it will create a sense of community for Panama City.

The ordinance states it will be prohibited to rent golf carts; the commissioners’ goal is to have this for residents only.

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