As we rapidly approach the beginning of Clemson football in the 2015 season, we are aware that traffic will increase and waits will be long. For many of our citizens, fans, and visitors the use of a golf cart for travel to and from the games shortens the wait time allowing us to spend more time enjoying the last days of summer and cheering for our favorite team. Here are some tips to help us all enjoy another football season, and minimize the risk of injury to everyone in attendance.
· Drive on the right side of the road, as close to the fog line (white line) as possible.
· Stop for all stop signs and red lights, and ensure that the roadway is clear prior to proceeding.
· When approaching a cross walk remember that pedestrians have the right of way.
· Use hand signals to alert other traffic of your turns and stops.
· You can only operate a Golf Cart on a public road during daylight hours, and when the posted speed limit on that roadway is 35 MPH or less.
Other information on legal issues that pertain to operating a Golf Cart on a public roadway are found in South Carolina Code of Laws under 56-2-105 (copied below).
SECTION 56-2-105. Golf cart permit and the operation of a golf cart.
(A) For the purposes of this section, "gated community" means any homeowners' community with at
least one access-controlled ingress and egress which includes the presence of a guard house, a mechanical
barrier, or another method of controlled conveyance.
(B) An individual or business owner of a vehicle commonly known as a golf cart may obtain a permit
decal and registration from the Department of Motor Vehicles upon presenting proof of ownership and
liability insurance for the golf cart and upon payment of a five dollar fee.
(1) During daylight hours only, a permitted golf cart may be operated within four miles of the
address on the registration certificate and only on a secondary highway or street for which the posted
speed limit is thirty-five miles an hour or less.
(2) During daylight hours only, a permitted golf cart may be operated within four miles of a point of ingress and egress to a gated community and only on a secondary highway or street for which the posted speed limit is thirty-five miles an hour or less.
(3) During daylight hours only, within four miles of the registration holder's address, and while
traveling along a secondary highway or street for which the posted speed limit is thirty-five miles an hour
or less, a permitted golf cart may cross a highway or street at an intersection where the highway has a
posted speed limit of more than thirty-five miles an hour.
(4) During daylight hours only, a permitted golf cart may be operated along a secondary highway or street for which the posted speed limit is thirty-five miles an hour or less on an island not accessible by a bridge designed for use by automobiles.
(C) A person operating a permitted golf cart must be at least sixteen years of age and hold a valid
driver's license. The operator of a permitted golf cart being operated on a highway or street must have in
his possession:
(1) the registration certificate issued by the department;
(2) proof of liability insurance for the golf cart; and
(3) his driver's license.
(D)(1) A golf cart permit must be replaced with a new permit every five years, or at the time the permit
holder changes his address.
(2) Golf cart owners holding golf cart permits on or before October 1, 2012, will have until
September 30, 2015, to obtain a replacement permit.
(E) A political subdivision may, on designated streets or roads within the political subdivision's
jurisdiction, reduce the area in which a permitted golf cart may operate from four miles to no less than
two miles. However, a political subdivision may not reduce or otherwise amend the other restrictions
placed on the operation of a permitted golf cart contained in this section.
(F) The provisions of this section that restrict the use of a golf cart to certain streets, certain hours, and
certain distances shall not apply to a golf cart used by a public safety agency in connection with the
performance of its duties.
HISTORY: 2012 Act No. 177, Section 1, eff October 1, 2012.
If you have any other questions about golf cart safety or the 56-2-105 statute, please call Clemson City Police Department at 864-624-2000. Have a great 2015 Clemson Football season, and stay safe.