ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. (WCSC) – Children ages 12 and under have a new law to follow when riding golf carts in South Carolina.
Governor Henry McMaster signed off on a law on May 22 that requires children ages 12 and under to wear seatbelts when riding golf carts.
The newest requirement is supported by the Isle of Palms Police Department as an additional public safety effort with the increasing number of golf carts on the roadways.
“It’s become so popular, especially out here on the Barrier Islands,” Sgt. Matt Storen says. “In neighborhoods where you see people going to the pool, where you don’t necessarily want to drive your car, but you don’t want to walk, so people are using golf carts to commute around those areas. That’s why the safety issue of having seatbelts installed on them comes into play.
Storen says the department has seen past instances of injury due to the golf cart’s no-door design. Storen says the law only helps with their mission of safety.
“We’ve had several instances on Isle of Palms where golf cart collisions have occurred, and there’ve been some serious injuries,” Storen says. “Fortunately, there’s been no deaths associated on the Isle of Palms; however, in the Charleston area, we know that we’ve had some tragedies involving golf carts, so anything to make golf cart travel and commuting on a golf cart safer is a welcomed addition.”
Port City Moped and Golf Carts Owner Jordan Chaplin is one of the city’s many golf cart rental businesses. Chaplin says they can rent out anywhere between 20 to 30 golf carts a week during the peak season in the summer months.
Chaplin says a rental service includes instructions on how to use golf carts, including where all seat belts are located. He says that it’s an effort to keep everyone safe, even if buckling up only takes a simple click.
“It helps kids, you know, they move a lot,” Chaplin says. “It helps keep them in their seats.. for parents, it’s a little peace of mind there too. The age requirement, I feel like it can go for really any age. I feel like everyone should wear a seatbelt, adults too. You never know when you have to swerve or anything might happen, and that way everyone is secure.”
There are law differences for golf carts and low-speed vehicles. Storen says the main difference between the two vehicles in the city is where they can operate. LSVs have access to roads such as Palm Boulevard, as well as, operating at night. Storen says golf carts are not allowed to drive on the boulevard or at night currently.
Chaplin recommends that drivers follow city rules when it comes to driving golf carts and LSVs to uphold safety efforts.
Storen says the department is working to educate the community on the new requirement. He recommends getting seat belts professionally installed or purchasing installation kits to be in compliance.
The new requirement is among other added laws, such as allowing municipalities to adopt golf cart ordinances.
The change allows golf cart drivers with a valid driver’s license who are 16 years old and older to drive on public highways with identification such as a permit decal and registration from the Department of Motor Vehicles. Drivers also need proof of ownership, liability insurance and payment of a $5 fee.
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