(A) Carts may not be operated on or alongside a public road or street with a posted speed limit greater than 35 miles per hour.
(B) Carts may cross a road with a posted speed limit greater than 35 miles per hour. However, once this segment of road has been traversed, the golf cart is still required to travel only on or along a roadway with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less. Golf carts must cross in a manner that is the most direct route in order to decrease crossing distance, i.e. no riding along a road or crossing at an angle. Under no circumstance is a golf cart allowed to cross a control access facility other than at bridges which cross over or under a control access facility.
(C) Carts that are not equipped and registered as required by the State Motor Vehicle Law may only operate on public streets and roads within the County of Camden as set forth herein and in accordance with these rules and regulations. Operation of carts in violation of these rules and regulations shall be subject to the penalty provisions of § 70.99 or, in egregious cases, may constitute reckless driving as defined in the North Carolina General Statutes.
(D) All carts operated on the streets must have a valid and visible permit sticker from the Camden County Tax Office. A yearly fee as established by the Camden County Fee Schedule on a per cart basis will be charged by the Camden County Tax Office for a permit sticker. There will be no prorated registrations nor will there be any refunds issued. A 31-day re-registration period for all previously registered golf carts will be permitted during the month of January each year for an annual registration charge per the Camden Fee Schedule. Owners re-registering after January 31 of each year will be considered expired until re-registered and not permitted to use the golf carts in the associated areas. Driving a golf cart without a current registration will result in a fine as determined by the Camden County Fee Schedule. A list of all registrations will be maintained by the Camden County Tax Office and the Camden County Sheriff’s Office. The golf cart owner is responsible for maintaining their registration, no notices will be mailed. If a golf cart is purchased during the calendar year, the fee will not be prorated and would be the amount established as per the Camden Fee Schedule.
(E) 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:
(1) All traffic rules and regulations adopted by the State of North Carolina and the Camden County which governs the operation of motor vehicles;
(2) 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.
(F) 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 North Carolina law for motor vehicles operated on public highways in the State of North Carolina.
(G) Drivers of carts shall stay to the far right of the traveled portion of the road and yield to the right-of-way to overtaking motor vehicles and pedestrians.
(H) Golf carts without lights may be operated only during daylight hours. Golf carts meeting the requirements set forth below may operate at any time:
(1) Golf carts having two operating headlights, one on each side of the front of the golf cart; and
(2) Two operating tail lights, one on each side of the rear of the cart;
(3) All four lights must be visible from a distance of 500 feet; and
(4) If a mechanical turn signal indicator is not installed, then hand signals are required for turns.
(I) Golf carts must have basic equipment supplied by the manufacturer, including a vehicle identification or serial number. Such equipment must include all safety devices as installed by said manufacturer, including rear view mirror and a rear triangle reflector of the same type required by North Carolina law. Persons are prohibited from standing on a cart while the cart is in operation.
(J) The maximum occupancy of a cart traveling on the street is one person per bucket seat or two people per bench seat. The operator shall not allow passengers to ride on any part of a golf cart not designed to carry passengers, such as the part of the golf cart designed to carry golf bags.
(K) Children must be properly seated while a cart is in motion and may not be transported in a negligent manner.
(L) If the cart is equipped with seat belts, all passengers are to wear the seat belts at all times the cart is in motion.
(M) A driver must be at least 16 years old and possess a valid state-issued driver’s license. Cart operators must carry their driver’s license on their person at all times while operating a cart on public streets and roads in the county.
(N) No cart may be operated at a speed greater than reasonable and prudent for the existing conditions, and in no instance at a speed greater than 20 miles per hour.
(O) No cart may be operated in a careless or reckless manner.
(P) Carts shall not be operated or parked on sidewalks.
(Q) Carts shall not be operated on private property without the permission and consent of the property owner, property manager or home owner’s association, if applicable.
(R) The Camden County Sheriff’s Office interpretation of the above rules and regulations are final. The Camden County Sheriff’s Office will maintain its interpretation in a written and published manner.
(Ord. 2021-01-02, passed 1-4-21)