Thursday, March 3, 2011

“Sneak Peek: 2013 Volkswagen Golf” plus 1 more

“Sneak Peek: 2013 Volkswagen Golf” plus 1 more

Sneak Peek: 2013 Volkswagen Golf

Posted: 03 Mar 2011 12:00 PM PST

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While the VW Golf Mk6 has only been on sale since 2009, work on the next-gen Mk7 is already under way. We caught this early development mule racking up the test miles in the western United States.

Golf cart bills move through General Assembly

Posted: 02 Mar 2011 11:24 PM PST

RICHMOND – Golf carts aren't just for carrying golfers and their clubs down fairways. In towns such as Colonial Beach, the vehicles carry residents and tourists down public roadways as well.

The motorized carts are a form of alternative transportation for short distances – and can be more fuel-efficient and cheaper to maintain than automobiles.

Under two bills making their way through the General Assembly, more golf carts soon could be tooling along public roads in Virginia.

Last week, the Senate unanimously approved HB 1972, which would allow the state Department of Conservation & Recreation to drive golf carts and utility vehicles on state roads inside and immediately adjacent to state parks. The bill restricts the vehicles to roads with speed limits of 35 mph or less.

 Delegate Roxann Robinson (R-Chesterfield) sponsored the bill. It had previously cleared the House, 98-1.

Robinson said the bill would help the DCR operate more efficiently. HB 1972 "will simply downsize the vehicle they will use to perform their job within state parks," she said.

That is not the only golf cart-related legislation on the move.

Last week, the House of Delegates voted 98-0 in favor of SB 871, which would clarify when golf carts and utility vehicles may cross highways in Colonial Beach, a town of about 3,500 residents in Westmoreland County in Virginia's Northern Neck.

SB 871 was sponsored by Sen. Richard Stuart (R-Montross). He represents Westmoreland County and eight other localities.

Under existing law, golf carts and utility vehicles may be operated only on designated public highways where the posted speed limit is 25 mph or less, and they may cross a highway at an intersection controlled by a traffic light only if the highway has a posted speed limit of no more than 35 mph.

Stuart's bill would remove the 35 mph restriction for golf carts and utility vehicles crossing roadways in Colonial Beach. Instead, in Colonial Beach, such vehicles could cross any highway at an intersection marked with a golf cart crossing sign posted by the Virginia Department of Transportation.

In January, the Senate also had unanimously approved SB 871. The House action now sends the bill to Gov. Bob McDonnell to be signed into law.

Colonial Beach is a golf cart community, according to its Chamber of Commerce. Residents and visitors often drive the motorized vehicles on public roads as well as on the boardwalk along the Potomac River. People can rent golf carts and low-speed vehicles to get around town.

"The carts are 'dressed up' and seen everywhere," the chamber's website says.

The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of vagazette.com. Profanity and personal attacks are prohibited, Posts that contain such will be removed. Repeat offenders may be barred from posting comments.

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