(A) Legislative purpose. The legislative purpose and policy of this section is to promote public health, safety, and welfare by setting forth regulations governing the operation of golf carts on the public streets within the town.
(B) Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:
DRIVER’S LICENSE. A valid license issued to operate a motor vehicle issued by the State of North Carolina or any other state.
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. Liability insurance coverage on a golf cart in an amount not less than the amount required by North Carolina law for motor vehicles within the state.
GOLF CART. A vehicle designed and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting or recreational purposes that is not capable of exceeding a speed of 20 mph.
OPERATOR. Only persons over 16 years of age and holding a valid driver’s license may operate a golf cart on the public streets within the town.
(C) Rules and regulations.
(1) Golf carts shall not be operated on or alongside a public street with a posted speed limit greater than 35 mph.
(2) Golf carts may cross a road with a posted speed limit greater than 35 mph provided that once such a road has been crossed, the golf cart shall only be operated on streets with a speed limit of 35 mph or less.
(3) The operator of a golf cart shall be responsible for all liability associated with the operation of the golf cart and shall have liability insurance coverage for the use of the golf cart in an amount not less than the amount required by North Carolina law for motor vehicles within the state.
(4) Any person operating a golf cart shall be at least 16 years of age or older. No person shall operate a golf cart unless that person is licensed to drive upon the streets, roads and highways of North Carolina in accordance with the license.
(5) Any person operating a golf cart on the public streets within the town shall comply with all applicable state and local laws, regulations and ordinances, including but not limited to those banning the possession and use of alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs. In addition, no golf cart containing an open container of alcohol shall be operated on a public street.
(6) An operator of a golf cart shall not allow the number of people in the golf cart to exceed the maximum capacity specified by the manufacturer. The operator shall not allow passengers to ride on any part of a golf cart not designed to carry passengers including that part of a golf cart designed to carry golf bags.
(7) A golf cart shall not be operated at a speed greater than reasonable and prudent for the existing conditions and in no instance shall a golf cart be operated at a speed greater than 20 mph.
(8) Golf carts shall be operated at the right edge of the roadway and shall yield to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
(9) Golf carts shall be parked in compliance with the town’s parking regulations as set forth in Chapter 73 herein.
(10) Golf carts being operated on the public streets shall have all of the safety equipment installed by the manufacturer including a rear view mirror and a rear triangle reflector of the type required under North Carolina law
(11) Golf carts without lights shall only be operated during daylight hours. Golf carts meeting the requirements set forth below may be operated at any time:
(a) Golf carts having two operating headlights, one on each side of the front of the cart, and two operating tail lights, one on each side of the rear of the cart, with all four lights visible from a distance of 500 feet; and
(b) If a mechanical turn signal indicator is not installed on the golf cart then hand signals are required for turns.
(D) Registration.
(1) Before being operated on a public street, the owner of a golf cart shall have been issued a registration sticker by the town that shall be visible while the golf cart is being operated.
(2) Each golf cart operator shall ensure that their valid driver’s license and proof of liability insurance coverage shall be always with them while operating the golf cart.
(3) Lost or stolen registration stickers are the responsibility of the owner and shall be replaced before the golf cart is operated on a public street.
(E) Enforcement. An operator violating the motor vehicle laws of North Carolina which also apply to golf carts registered under this section shall be subject to the penalties prescribed in North Carolina law for said violations.
(Ord. 22-8, passed 9-12-2022)