(A) Carts shall only be operated on streets within the municipal limits of the town in accordance with the following rules and regulations.
(1) Any person who operates a cart in the town assumes all liability associated with operating the cart.
(2) Any person who operates a cart must be at least 16 years of age and possess a valid driver’s license required by the state for operation of a motor vehicle. Cart operators must carry their driver’s licenses on their persons at all times while operating a cart on the streets in the corporate limits.
(3) Carts shall be driven on streets only from dawn to dusk, unless the cart is equipped with two lighted lamps, one on each side of the front of the cart, visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of at least 300 feet to the front of such cart, and a red lamp on the rear, exhibiting a red light visible under like conditions from a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of such cart. In lieu of the red lamp, the cart may alternatively be equipped at the rear with two red reflectors of a diameter of not less than three inches, which are designed, located and maintained so that each reflector is visible for at least 500 feet when approached by a motor vehicle displaying lawful undimmed headlights.
(4) Carts shall only be driven on streets in the town with a posted speed limit of 35 mph or less.
(5) Carts shall not be operated on or alongside any portion of Wilkinson Boulevard/Highway 29-74 unless crossing at a controlled intersection with a street that has a posted speed limit of 35 mph or less.
(6) Any person who operates a cart on the streets in the town shall adhere to all applicable state laws concerning the possession and use of alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs and all applicable state traffic laws.
(7) No cart shall be operated in a careless or reckless manner.
(8) Carts shall be operated to the right side of the travel lane unless making a left turn.
(9) The maximum occupancy of a cart traveling on streets shall be one person per bucket seat or two people per bench seat. Child/infant restraints are required to be used in the cart in the same manner as required for passenger vehicles.
(10) Carts shall not be operated on any sidewalk in the town, unless at locations approved and designated by proper signage installed by the town.
(11) Carts shall only operate on greenway or pedestrian trails that have been approved and designated by proper signage installed by the town.
(12) Carts shall not be operated on or across any public or private properties outside the street right-of-way without the permission of the property owner.
(13) Carts shall only park in handicapped parking spaces if the driver or at least one passenger has a valid handicap-parking placard and such placard is properly displayed in the cart.
(14) No cart shall be operated at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent for the existing conditions and in no instance at a speed greater than 20 mph.
(15) All cart owners of carts that operate on the streets within the town shall complete and submit a cart registration form. The completed forms will be maintained by the town’s Police Department. All carts operated on the streets must have a valid permit/sticker issued by the Police Department. A yearly registration fee will be charged for this permit/sticker to cover the costs of implementing and maintaining this chapter. The fee amount will be determined by the fee schedule adopted each year by the town. The Chief of Police retains the right to refuse to issue and/or revoke any permit/sticker from any cart at any time for any reason that he or she feels is appropriate to ensure the safety and well-being of the citizens of the town or the motoring public.
(16) Each owner shall have proof of cart ownership, and must complete a waiver of liability, releasing the town, its employees and officials from all liability that may arise as a result of operating a cart on streets inside the town. A current waiver of liability must be on file with the town’s Police Department to operate on streets.
(17) Lost or stolen permit/stickers are the responsibility of the owner. A police report must be filed in the event of a lost or stolen permit/sticker. The Chief of Police shall have discretion in determining whether a permit/sticker may be re-issued in this instance. If no record can be found of a previous application, or the receipt of a permit/sticker, the Chief of Police may direct the applicant to reapply, and also resubmit any and all fees necessary, before a replacement permit/sticker is issued.
(18) Any person who operates a cart on the streets shall have liability insurance coverage in an amount sufficient to cover the risk involved in using the cart on the streets. Proof of such insurance shall be in the possession of the operator of the cart while operating the cart and a copy shall be provided to the Police Department at the time of permitting.
(B) The above requirements do not apply to carts crossing the street at golf course crossings designated by signs duly erected by the town or the state’s Department of Transportation for such crossing and the cart is being used for golf purposes.
(C) Any act constituting a violation of this chapter or failure to comply with any of its requirements shall subject the offender to a civil penalty or other listed remedies in accordance with the town code, plus any attorney fees incurred by the town. Offenders are also subject to charges on state uniform citations and arrest. If the offenders fail to pay any civil penalty within ten days of its issuance or, if there are repeat ordinance violations, the privileges and permit granted by this chapter may be revoked by the town’s Police Department.
(D) Carts used/owned by the town and operated for special events or official business shall be exempt from permit fees, but shall otherwise comply with the above requirements.