The Goose Creek City Council has approved new regulations for golf carts, particularly focusing on safety for young riders. These changes come after the passage of a state law signed by Governor Henry McMaster, which mandates that children 12 and under must wear seatbelts while riding in golf carts. Additionally, local jurisdictions like Goose Creek are now allowed to set their own rules regarding where and when golf carts can operate.
Child Passenger Safety Requirements
Under the new rules, children in golf carts must be seated in a car or booster seat appropriate for their age, height, and weight, in line with the South Carolina Child Passenger Safety Law. The goal is to improve safety and reduce the risk of injuries, especially after a past incident where an infant was injured after falling off a golf cart outside the city limits.
Community Support for Increased Safety
Residents, including Jennie Edwards from Carnes Community, have expressed support for the new regulations. Edwards noted that many children in her neighborhood use golf carts regularly and are often not properly secured. She also mentioned concerns about younger children attempting to drive golf carts, with some as young as six years old.
New Regulations on Nighttime Driving
The new rules also allow golf carts to operate on roadways with speed limits of 35 mph or less during the night, provided the carts have working headlights and taillights. Additionally, golf carts are required to display visible registration on the front windshield.
Penalties for Violations
Chief LJ Roscoe of the Goose Creek Police Department emphasized that there would be no grace period for violating the new rules. Riders who do not comply with the regulations could face fines of up to $500, jail time of up to 30 days, or both.
With these new safety measures in place, Goose Creek aims to ensure that residents can continue enjoying their golf carts while prioritizing safety for all, particularly young children.
