(A) Necessity. The establishment of a golf cart ordinance is necessary to address the interests of public safety. Golf carts, are not designed or manufactured to be used on public streets, roads and highways, hereinafter “road(s),” and the City of Goldsboro in no way advocates or endorses their operation on roads. The city, by regulating such operation is merely trying to address obvious safety issues, and adoption of this article is not to be relied upon as a determination that operation on roads is safe or advisable if done in accordance with this article. All persons who operate or ride upon carts on roads do so at their own risk and peril and must be observant of and attentive to the safety of themselves and others, including their passengers, other motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. The city has no liability under any theory for permitting carts to be operated on roads. Any person who operates a cart must procure liability insurance on a par with that required for motor vehicles.
(B) Purpose. The purpose of this ordinance shall be to establish a golf cart ordinance within the City of Goldsboro to promote the health, safety and welfare of persons operating cart(s) within the city and to protect the safety of their passengers and other users of roads.
(C) Definitions. For the purpose of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings.
DRIVER'S LICENSE. A valid license issued to operate a motor vehicle issued by North Carolina or any other state.
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY. Liability insurance coverage on 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.
GOLF CART. A four-wheel vehicle designed and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting or recreational purposes and that is not capable of exceeding speeds of 20 MPH (G.S.
20-4.01(12a)). Vehicles resembling golf carts which exceed this speed capacity must be registered with the NC Department of Motor Vehicles, in which case they will essentially be regulated as an automobile, and otherwise such vehicles will not be allowed on public streets.
OPERATOR. Only persons 16 years of age and older holding a valid driver's license may operate a golf cart on roads.
(Ord. 2019-29, passed 6-2-19)