(A) Purpose. The purpose of this subchapter is to provide a means of travel that is convenient, conserves resources, and protects the environment. Golf carts, if properly used, may be an effective way to travel for short distances within the town. However, to help insure the public safety and welfare, the operation of golf carts must not only comply with normal regulations regarding vehicles, but should comply with special safety regulations intended to protect the operator and passengers in a vehicle that is primarily designed for operation on a golf course or recreational purposes. This article establishes the basic, minimum standards of care to be used by the users of golf carts on public roads, streets and highways. Likewise, the public safety requires that golf carts, used as a means of transportation, must also meet certain minimum safety standards that can only be assured through a system of registration and inspection. The registration and inspection of golf carts is required in order to protect the public health, safety and welfare.
(B) Definitions. For purposes of this subchapter, those definitions set out in G.S. § 20-4.01 shall also apply throughout this subchapter. A “golf cart” is defined as a vehicle designed and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting or recreational purposes and that is not capable of exceeding 20 miles per hour. The definition is republished here for convenience only and the definition set out in G.S. § 20-4.01(12b), as amended from time to time, is controlling for all purposes.
(Ord. passed 6-12-2012)