COMMENTARY: Golf Cart Crossing Needs Attention

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I travel on Oak Hill Road each day on my way to and from work, so I was naturally interested when I saw a Facebook post about the roadway’s golf cart crossing at the Nabnasset Country Club:

“It is very frustrating (dangerous) when drivers do not stop for pedestrians/golfers using this crosswalk…So all we…the golfers…ask is that you be respectful of pedestrians/golfers on this crosswalk (and any crosswalk.)”

I understood the concerns. In one split second, a catastrophe could occur. I was already conscious of the need to slow down when crossing the path that connects one side of the club to the other, but after reading the post and the many comments that followed, I began to slow to a crawl whenever approaching it, regardless of whether a golfer was in sight or not.

The golf cart crossing is poorly configured. As you approach it from the north, heading south, there is a stone wall and shrubs obscuring the driver’s sightline. As you approach it from the south heading north, a “no asphalt” sign attached to a chain link fence blocks the view. All it would take for a serious accident to occur is for a distracted golf cart driver to pop out from behind the wall as an unaware driver approaches.

The yellow pedestrian crossing signs along Oak Hill on either side of the crossing are helpful, but don’t provide enough of a warning. They don’t warn motorists that golf carts are also crossing.

I urge the country club and the town officials to work together to install signs that light up when a golf cart is about to cross. The signs that are used at the Kimball Farm crossing on Littleton Road and the bicycle path crossing on Route 27 would be perfect for the golf cart crossing.

I also urge country club officials to post warning signs on the path, if they aren’t already there, to remind golf cart drivers as they approach the crossing to be mindful of cars.

And by the way, motorists who fail to stop for a pedestrian or cart in the crosswalk can face a $200 state fine.

I spoke with Jim Murray, board president at the Country Club, who noted that the town had provided a cone to place in the middle of the street at the crossing. Another club official later explained the road is too narrow for the cone. But the fact that the town sought to place a cone there at one time, is an acknowledgment that something more needs to be done.

Murray said he would contact the Police Department to get “an action plan” together. I hope he does.

But in the meantime, Police Capt. Victor Neal has taken the following position.

“I’m sure if you talk to the golfers they will complain about cars not stopping,” he said. “When you talk to the drivers they will complain about the golfers not stopping…People on both sides need to be aware of their surroundings and what their responsibilities are.”

Agreed, Capt. Neal.

But I hope the community can help both sides by providing visual reminders.

Joyce Pellino Crane is the news director at WestfordCAT.