If you have visited the island at all this summer, you have surely noticed the sudden profusion of golf carts, and businesses from whom you can rent them. If you thought it seemed to be the business model of the year, you were right. If you wondered why that was, here's some background.
This past winter, the Hyde County commissioners approved an ordinance making it easier to run golf carts on the island (my understanding is that it loosened some of the restrictions/requirements on golf carts which are operated on roads). The (surely unintended/unexpected) consequence was the cropping up of all the many golf cart rental places, and the addition of golf carts to the streets of Ocracoke, to compete alongside the bikes, skateboards, walking people, and cars.
I don't have anything against golf carts personally, although I have seen some folks operating them in ways that I consider less than responsible, and some doing things which are just downright unsafe (screaming teenagers hanging off the back/riding on the top of a cart being driven by another teen who is most likely not a licensed driver, and folks driving around with children (even infants!) who are completely unrestrained in the cart are just two examples).
Anyway, apparently the commmissioners saw the need (or were alerted to the need) to make the ordinance a bit stronger in terms of safety requirements. They recently passed an amended golf cart ordinance, which will take effect October 1. Provisions of the new ordinance include the following requirements:
- two headlamps and two rear lamps,
- a seat permanently affixed to the cart for each passenger (and a requirement that the driver ensure that said passengers are seated in said seats),
- children under 8 years and 80 pounds must be in a weight appropriate child restraint seat.
In addition, there's a reminder in the ordinance that existing NC law requires drivers to be at least 16 years of age.
So what do you think about golf carts on Ocracoke streets? Feel free to share your comments.
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12 comments:
Golf carts are a plague on Ocracoke. I can't wait for the first hurricane to blow them all out to sea.
Just as I am reading your blog, two teenagers flew by the house. One was driving a golf cart and the other was riding a skateboard, being towed by a hunk of rope behind the cart.
Did the County Commissioners approve such behavior?
So . . . are golf carts legal throughout Hyde County? In Swan Quarter? Engelhard? Or only on Ocracoke? Duh.
The Hyde County Commissioners are idiots.
You know, that's a really good question about the rules for golf carts in other parts of the county...but I don't know the answer. If any readers know, let us know!
Last month we saw six of them having a Nascar-style race around Loop Road. Around and around and around. The start/finish line was the lighthouse.
Motorized carts (why call them golf carts since many aren't designed to go on a golf course with the knobby tires and lack of golf bag holders?) are everywhere. Not just Ocracoke. It seems every yahoo with a few bucks is buying them and they're popping up in communities and small towns all over the place. Vacation spots seem to get more than their fair share, however and it seems these carts go hand-in-hand with reckless behavior all too often. Unsupervised kids and drunks are a real hazard as both feel they can get away with driving these things with impunity.
I met a woman last week, a first-time tourist, who asked, "What's with all the golf carts?" Friends of hers had recommended Ocracoke to her last year -- BC -- Before Carts. When she finally got here, she was shocked. While riding her bicycle, she was frequently surprised by a golf cart sneaking up behind her. She was not a happy camper.
I cannot disagree with the comments to date. I too have seen irresponsible behavior and misuse. That said, many of our visitors are thrilled to have a golf cart to use while enjoying our island. It allows easy transportation while shopping, dining, and sightseeing for those who cannot ride a bicycle or walk that distance. We certainly don't need more cars on the crowded roads. So please bear in mind that golf carts do encourage some tourists to visit and spend money, benefiting all of us!
PS - I personally become annoyed at those who cannot understand the simple concept of walking against traffic so you can see what's heading toward you. These folks inevitably walk right toward the street *before* they look behind them, causing further jam ups.
Thanks for all the thoughts, everyone.
TLDMDX - you are certainly right about golf carts being an option for folks who can't walk or bike for health or other reasons - my husband actually falls into that category, although we haven't bought a golf cart for him (yet). I am right there with you on being annoyed with people who don't walk facing traffic! I swear, one day I'm going to buy one of those big car magnets that says "bike on the right, walk on the left" and just drive around the village educating people, LOL...
I think one challenge with the golf carts around here, like with so many things in life, is quantity. More of a good thing is not always better...sometimes it's just more.
We were on the island the second half of July. It was hot, humid, and windy. More so that it has ever been on a visit. It was really nice to be able to rent a golf cart for a couple days to explore the island, however it just wasn't the same as walking around exploring the island on foot. Since it was my parents first vacation to Ocracoke, I think they enjoyed having the carts.
So, I'm a little mixed on the subject. I don't think there is a better way to enjoy Ocracoke than walking around seeing parts you haven't seen before. I hope for a little cooler next year. :) And I'm so glad to hear Ocracoke survived Earl!!!
Oh yeah, the only thing I could find annoying with Ocracoke is rude people. This is the first year I actually found one there. I guess he didn't know the unspoke rules of Ocracoke.
I think it's great that so many people can walk around such a beautiful place, with such wonderfully nice people. :)
We loved the option to rent and drive a cart during our week stay in Ocracoke. This made parking and travel around the island easy. We visited all the shops! This was very convenient for the members of our group who did not want to walk everywhere. We did not see any reckless driving, but can imagine this is a concern. Unsupervised kids and drunks are problematic in general, regardless of what they are driving/riding. Lets hope everyone stays safe!
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