Know the Rules - Share the Street - Keep Everyone Safe
Our community streets are a shared space — drivers, pedestrians, cyclists, and children all use the same streets. We use these streets not only for transportation, but also for exercise and general interaction with our neighbors. This guide summarizes the key safety rules and courtesies that can help everyone get home safely. Keep in mind that the registered owners of properties are responsible for ensuring that members of their families, tenants, visitors, friends, and all their contractors are reminded of this important safety rules and guidelines.
Speed Limits & Stop Signs
The 20 MPH Speed Limit
Our streets have a posted speed limit of 20 mph. This isn’t a suggestion — it’s the law.
• Speed limits are a maximum.
• Speed limits apply to all vehicles – cars, golf carts, bicycles, scooters, e-bikes, unicycles, skateboards, riding lawn mowers, etc.
• It is ok to go slower, especially when visibility is low, roads are wet, or when the shared road space is being used by others.
Full Stops at Stop Signs
• Stop signs are not yield signs. Come to a complete stop — wheels fully stopped — before the stop line. Yes, this also applies to golf carts, bikes, scooters, mopeds, motorcycles.
• Look left, right, and left again before proceeding. Yield to pedestrians and cyclists already in or entering the intersection.
• The first vehicle to arrive at the intersection has the right-of-way. When in doubt, let the other car proceed.
Take care as you approach and take corners:
• Many intersections in our neighborhood have limited sight lines and the roads are narrow, making improper turns a potential hazard. When approaching a corner to make a right turn, keep to the right side of your lane and avoid swinging wide into oncoming traffic. Similarly, when turning left, do not “cut the corner” by turning into the oncoming lane of the cross street.
Children on Bikes & Scooters
Children can be unpredictable, fast, and often unaware of traffic dangers. Every driver must be prepared to stop suddenly in our neighborhood. Drive with caution and be alert.
Rules for Young Riders
- Helmets are required by Connecticut law for riders under 16. This applies to bikes, skateboards, scooters, and skates.
- Helmets are required by Connecticut law for ALL riders on eBikes.
- Helmets are a commonsense safety measure for riders of all ages.
- Ride on the right side of the road in the same direction as traffic.
Driver Responsibilities Around Children
- Slow down when children are visible on or near the road.
- Give bikes at least 3 feet of passing clearance — more for children who may swerve unpredictably.
- Never pass a child on a bike when oncoming traffic is present. Wait for a safe gap.
- Watch driveways carefully – a bouncing ball is always followed by a running child.
Pedestrians
There are no sidewalks at Black Point and pedestrians have as much right to the road as motor vehicles. Drivers MUST give pedestrians space and slow down. In exchange, pedestrians should walk facing traffic (left side of the road) so that they can see the oncoming vehicles.
Driver Responsibilities
- Slow down and move toward the center of the road when approaching pedestrians on the road edge.
- If it is not safe to go around the pedestrians because of oncoming traffic, stop and wait for oncoming traffic to pass or the pedestrians to navigate around your vehicle.
- Never honk at or intimidate pedestrians — they have every right to use the roadway.
- At dusk and dawn, pedestrians may be hard to see. Reduce speed and use headlights.
- Yield to pedestrians at intersections and crosswalks.
Golf Carts — Know the Law
Operation of golf carts on our streets is subject to East Lyme’s Golf Cart Regulations
https://eltownhall.com/government/departments/police/golf-carts/
General Requirements
- Golf carts must obey all traffic laws: stop signs, speed limits (20 mph), yielding to pedestrians, drinking and driving, cell phone use — no exceptions.
- Golf carts may only be operated within Black Point.
- The operator must hold a valid driver’s license. The golf cart must be insured.
- Golf carts must be equipped with: headlights, brake lights, a rearview mirror, a seatbelt for each rear facing passenger, and a minimum 6 foot (measured from the ground to the top of the pole) tall flag mounted at the left rear of the golf cart.
- Golf carts may be operated ONLY between 30 minutes after sunrise and 30 minutes before sunset.
- All occupants must be seated. No one may ride on the roof, hood, or hang off the sides.
- No more than four occupants are allowed on the golf cart when it is moving.
- Children under 16 may not operate a golf cart.
- Each golf cart must be registered annually ($35) with the Town, and the registration sticker must be visible at the rear of the golf cart. Registration expires on May 31 of each year.