COLUMBIA, S.C. — In neighborhoods around Columbia folks love to cruise around on their golf carts. But the city is considering changes to the ordinance that governs how those golf carts can operate.
Tom Brantley and his wife have had their golf cart for three years and take it out several nights a week just to relax.
“It’s similar to taking a pontoon boat ride on the lake or something like that. We bump into neighbors we wouldn’t see otherwise,” Brantley explained.
Now the City of Columbia is considering changes to its golf cart ordinance. Councilman Peter Brown said the main issue is public safety.
“So there’s a concern on council, not about personal golf cart usage, but about golf cart usage as taxis, with multiple people on the golf cart. More people than there are seats. No seatbelts. No safety precautions at all. It’s a pretty narrow view or review of golf cart usage,” Brown said.
Brown said part of the issue lies in enforcement.
“There’s a state law against this, but it’s not being enforced. I think too many times in the past they’ve come up with regulations that just aren’t enforceable or there’s not an enforcement mechanism. We’ve got to pick and choose the relative usefulness and energy of our police officers,” Brown said.
Brown said the city council is curious whether the state will adopt rules governing carts as taxis.
The South Carolina Department of Public Services does have state-wide rules that govern cart operation.
You must remain within four miles of your home and can only drive on streets with a speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less. Also, only licensed drivers 16 years of age and older can operate the cart.
Krista Collins said she hoped other drivers would be cautious when driving near golf carts.
“I would ask them just to be patient. Please be patient with us. We’re just trying to enjoy our time together and ride around the neighborhood. If people would just slow down,” Collins said.
The Columbia City Council said they will continue to review changes to the proposed ordinance to ensure compliance with state law and safe operation of golf carts throughout the capitol city. No final decisions have been made and there will be several rounds of revisions before any language is added to the golf cart ordinance.