SURFSIDE BEACH, S.C. (WPDE) — The Surfside Beach Town Council is considering a proposal to extend the hours during which golf carts can be driven on local roads, following a recent change in state law.
Currently, golf carts are restricted to operating between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. from March 1 to Halloween.
The proposed ordinance would allow golf carts to be driven year-round, provided they are equipped with headlights or taillights.
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However, they would not be permitted on roads from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise unless they meet the town’s standards.
Councilmember Chris Stamey expressed concerns about the proposal. “I’m again not for this for 24 hours a day I don’t like it I don’t think it does nothing but give younger people the right to get out on a golf cart and ride around at night without them being able to stop them I don’t think this would be beneficial to the town,” said Stamey.
Local resident Betty Lowery also voiced her apprehensions. “It concerns me a little bit to have golf carts available all night long… they’re not designed like a car, they’re not that sturdy, people don’t pay attention to them,” said Lowery.
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“Despite these concerns, Surfside Beach Mayor Robert Krouse cautioned against adding too many restrictions. “I think it’s just getting into the weeds, and if we start putting things about hand signals in and also driving in climate weather, I think we’d put a burden on the police,” said Krouse.
This was the first reading of the ordinance, with a second reading scheduled for Aug. 26.
If approved, the ordinance will go into effect.
The town is crafting its own regulations following South Carolina’s recent golf cart law, which mandates seatbelts for children under 12 and restricts golf carts to roads with speed limits below 35 mph.