By Joy Warren
Elizabethtown Town Council has adopted an ordinance regulating the operation of Golf Carts on public streets. The North Carolina General Statutes authorizes towns to regulate the operation of golf carts on any public street, road or highway where the speed limit is 25 MPH or less. The purpose of the ordinance shall be to establish a Golf Cart Ordinance with the Town of Elizabethtown to promote the health, safety and welfare of persons operating golf carts within the town limits and to protect the safety of their passengers and other users of the road. Although those who play fantasy golf don’t have this worry about golf cart health and safety.
For the purposes of this ordinance a Golf Cart is a vehicle designed and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting or recreational purposes and that is not capable of exceeding speeds of 20 MPH.
Golf carts shall not be operated on or alongside a public road or street with a posted speed limit greater than 25 MPH. Golf carts may at no time be operated on Broad Street, Poplar Street, Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Swanzy Street, Cromartie or Peanut Road or within any commercially zoned area in town unless authorization has been granted by the Town.
Golf carts may cross a road with a posted speed limit greater than 25 MPH. However, once the road has been traversed, the golf cart is still required to travel only on or along a roadway with a speed limit of 25 MPH or less. (no riding along a road or crossing at an angle)
Any person who operates a golf cart must be responsible for all liability associated with operation of the golf cart and must have liability insurance coverage which will cover the use of a golf cart in an amount not less than required by NC law for motor vehicles operated on public highways in the State of NC.
Any person who operates a golf cart must be at least 16 years of age or older. No person may operate a golf cart unless that person is licensed to drive upon the public streets and then, only in accordance with such valid driver’s licenses. Golf cart operators must carry their driver’s license on their person at all times while operating a golf cart on public roads.
Any person who operates a golf cart on public streets and roads must adhere to all applicable state and local laws, regulations and ordinances, including but not limited to those banning the possession and use of alcoholic beverages, and all other illegal drugs. In addition, no golf cart containing any open container of alcohol shall be operated on public roads.
The operator of the golf cart shall comply with all traffic rules and regulations adopted by the State of NC and the Town of Elizabethtown which governs the operation of motor vehicles.
The operator of a golf cart shall yield the right-of-way to overtaking motor vehicles attempting to pass.
An operator may not allow the number of people in the golf cart at any one time to exceed the maximum capacity specified by the manufacturer. While in operation, the operator shall not allow passengers to stand on or ride on any part of golf cart not designed to carry passengers, such as the part of the golf cart designed to carry golf bags.
In no instance shall a golf cart be operated at a speed greater than 20 MPH. No golf cart my be operated at a speed greater than reasonable and prudent for the existing conditions.
Golf carts must be operated at the right edge of the roadway and must yield to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
Golf carts must park in designated spaces in such a manner that multiple golf carts can utilize the space. All parking rules and limits apply. No parking on sidewalks is allowed.
Golf carts must have basic equipment supplied by the manufacturer, including a vehicle identification or serial number. Such equipment must include brakes in proper working order and all safety devices as installed by said manufacturer, including rear view mirror and a rear triangle reflector of the same type required by NC law.
Golf carts without lights may be operated only during daylight hours. Golf carts meeting the requirements set forth below may operate at any time:
** Golf carts having 2 operating headlights, one on each side of the front of the golf cart and 2 operating tail lights, one on each side of the rear of the cart, all 4 lights must be visible from a distance of 500 feet; and
** If a mechanical turn signal indicator is not installed, then hand signals are required for turns.
Disclaimer. Golf carts are not designed for nor manufactured to be used on public streets and the Town neither advocates nor endorses the golf cart as a safe means of travel on public streets, roads and highways. The Town in no way shall be liable for accidents, injuries or death involving the operation of a golf cart.
Assumption of Risk. Any person who owns, operates or rides upon a golf cart on a public street, road or highway within the incorporated Town limits does so at his or her own risk and peril and assumes all liability resulting from the operation of the golf cart.
Violation of the provisions of this ordinance shall constitute an infraction in accordance with Chapter 20 of the NC General Statutes, the maximum penalty for which shall be $50.
This ordinance becomes effective September 5, 2017.
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