It is unlawful to operate a golf cart on a public street or road within the town unless the following requirements are met.
(A) The golf cart must display a valid registration sticker as provided in § 74.04.
(B) The golf cart may not operate on or alongside NC 279 (Trade Street) within the town limits except to cross over NC 279 (Trade Street) by the shortest route possible. Golf carts may cross or travel on any other public streets and roads with a posted speed limit of 35 mph or less.
(C) No person may operate a golf cart unless that person is licensed to drive a motor vehicle upon the streets and highways of the state, and then only in accordance with the limitations and/or restrictions related to the driver’s license.
(D) Only the number of people the golf cart is designed to seat may ride on a golf cart, and all passengers must be properly seated. Passengers shall not be carried on the part of a golf cart designed to carry golf bags.
(E) Riders may not be transported in a negligent manner.
(F) No golf 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 mph.
(G) No golf cart may be operated in a careless or reckless manner.
(H) Golf carts must be operated in accordance with all applicable state and local laws and ordinances, including all laws, regulations and ordinances pertaining to the possession and use of alcoholic beverages. In addition, no golf cart containing any open container of alcohol shall be operated on public streets, roads or highways.
(I) Golf carts must be operated to the extreme right of the paved portion of the roadway, must adhere to all traffic flow patterns, and must yield to all vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian traffic.
(J) Golf carts may be operated in bicycle and pedestrian lanes on any public streets and roads provided they do not impede bicycle or pedestrian traffic.
(K) Golf carts are not allowed to be driven on any sidewalks in town.
(L) Golf carts shall not be operated on or across any public or private properties without the permission of the property owner.
(M) Golf carts must be equipped with a rear vision mirror and rear reflectors.
(N) Golf carts must have the basic equipment supplied by the manufacturer, including a vehicle identification number, which must be displayed. The equipment must include all safety devices as installed by the manufacturer.
(O) If a golf cart is not equipped with brake lights or turn signals, the operator must use standard hand signals to signal stopping and turning.
(P) No golf cart may be operated on public streets or roads between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise, unless equipped with two operating headlights (one on each side of the front of the golf cart) and two operating tail lights (one on each side of the rear of the golf cart) which are visible from a distance of at least 500 feet.
(Q) The operator must maintain liability insurance on the golf cart in an amount not less than $150,000 liability limit per occurrence to cover the risk involved in using a golf cart on public streets and roads in the state. The operator must possess proof of the insurance at the time of the operation of the golf cart.
(R) No golf cart shall operate on any street, roadway or other public vehicle area that is closed due to special event, parade or construction. The Chief of Police, or his or her designee, may prohibit the operation of golf carts on any street or road if the Chief determines that the prohibition is necessary in the interest of safety.
(S) No golf cart may be operated for commercial or livery purposes.
(Prior Code, § H-VIII-3) Penalty, see § 74.99