It shall be unlawful to operate a golf cart on a public street, road, or highway right-of-way within the town except in accordance with the following provisions:
(A) Golf carts may not be operated on or in the right-of-way of a public street, road or highway with a posted speed limit greater than 25 miles per hour.
(B) No golf cart may be operated on any public street, road, or highway without being equipped with the following required equipment:
(1) Working headlights - A large single headlight in the center of the front of the cart or two working headlights, one on each side of the front of the golf cart, visible at night under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of at least 300 feet in front of the cart.
(2) A red lamp on the rear, visible at night under like conditions from a distance of at least 200 feet from the rear of the cart.
(3) Golf carts without the required front headlights and rear lamp may only be operated during daylight hours.
(C) An operator may not allow the number of people in the golf cart at any time to exceed the maximum capacity specified by the manufacturer. The operator shall not allow occupants to ride on any part of a golf cart not designed to carry passengers, such as the part of the cart designed to carry golf bags.
(D) No person may operate a golf cart on a public street, road, or highway unless licensed to drive upon the streets and highways of North Carolina and then only if that person operates the golf cart in accordance with the conditions of his or her license. Golf cart operators must carry their driver’s license on their persons at all times while operating a golf cart on public streets, roads or highways.
(E) In no instance shall a golf cart be operated at a speed greater than 20 miles per hour. Even at speeds at or below 20 miles per hour, no golf cart may be operated at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent for the existing conditions.
(F) No golf cart may be operated in a careless or reckless manner.
(G) Golf carts must be operated at the right edge of the roadway and must yield to all vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
(H) Golf carts must be operated in accordance with all applicable state and local laws, regulations, 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) During an emergency situation or at a special event, any police officer supervising or controlling traffic may direct that golf carts be operated other than as permitted by this subchapter.
(J) Golf carts owned and operated by local golf courses are exempt from required equipment as stated in division (B) when operated during daylight hours.
(K) The owner of a golf cart must continuously maintain liability insurance in an amount not less than that required by the Motor Vehicle Safety and Financial Act of 1953.
(Ord. passed 11-9-2009; Am. Ord. passed 12-7-2009) Penalty, see § 70.99