New golf cart law requires children under 12 to wear a seat belt: effective immediately

ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. (WCBD) — A new golf cart law in South Carolina aims to improve safety for passengers, especially kids.

The new statewide law is effective immediately and prohibits children under the age of 12 from riding in a golf cart without a seatbelt.

Golf carts are a popular mode of transportation in the Lowcountry to get to the beach, the pool, or around the neighborhood, but when not used properly, they can be extremely dangerous.

Officials say there have been multiple accidents in the last few years on the Isle of Palms. One involved a 12 -year-old driver that flipped over and another involved a passenger going through the windshield.

“These golf carts are riding on highways, speed limits 30, 35 miles an hour and we’ve got children all over the golf cart that are not restrained, and we’ve had accidents,” said Isle of Palms Councilman Blair Hahn.

Governor Henry Mcmaster recently signed a law requiring anyone age 11 and under to wear a seat belt. It became effective May 22nd, and police are working to make sure everyone is aware.

“We try to educate the public we understand it’s going to take some time to get conversion kits onto your golf car and get those seatbelts and get the paper documentation that’s needed as required by the law we understand that the main goal is educating people,” said Isle of Palms Sgt. Matt Storen.

Law enforcement also wants to remind visitors and residents; you have to be at least 16 and licensed driver to operate the golf cart and state law says you can only drive golf carts during the day.

“Summertime on Isle of Palms and many of the islands we see golf carts everywhere: kids are out of school they’re driving them, and we urge parents to please read up on the laws the do’s and don’ts of operating a golf cart or low speed vehicle,” said Sgt. Matt Storen. “Please don’t have your kids driving the golf carts; they will get stopped, we’ll have to call you to come to the scene to come get them or we’ll have to tow that golf cart. We really don’t want to have to do that, again its keeping everybody safe.”

You can take your golf cart to a shop or buy a conversion kit online to install seatbelts.