To Be Frank: Two paws on the wheel

I rather enjoy a casual golf cart ride. There’s nothing quite like the wind blowing through my lustrous hair and the sun shining on my beautiful face as I make my way to The Outpost for a well-deserved chicken biscuit and a clear, crisp, cool bowl of water with which to wash it down. I prefer safety precautions to be in their proper place and am quite often mortified by the haphazard following I’ve witnessed hereto.

I would venture to guess, dear reader, that you too would be upset by a recent occurrence I had the distinct misfortune to witness. A small child, seated on the back bench of a golf cart, untethered no less, was ejected into the boulevard adjacent my office window. My human ran to the intersection to divert oncoming traffic around said child whilst also attempting to alert the two adults remaining in the golf cart. Eventually, the driver and her passenger noticed the missing tiny human and circled back to retrieve her. It was quite upsetting indeed. Please be advised: there are rules, laws even, to prohibit this type of reckless abandon.

While we are on the subject of recklessness, let’s spend a moment focusing on e-bikes and the menacing issues related thereto. Youngsters on these bikes can be seen at any given island intersection ignoring stop signs. This action is ill-advised, and I fear it’s only a matter of time before tragedy befalls one such rider. These bikes can be seen traversing our sidewalks and beaches, which is also not a wise or legal choice, not to mention the distasteful trespassing on the golf course of both e-bikes and golf carts alike.

Perhaps we should take a brief look at some of the laws many have forgotten.

A golf cart permit from the SCDMV is required to operate on public roads. The driver must be at least 16 years old and hold a valid driver’s license. Additionally, golf carts may only be operated on secondary highways or streets with a posted speed limit of 35 mph or less. Golf carts may only be operated within 4 miles of the address listed on the registration certificate and carts may not be parked on beach access paths unless signs exist indicating that golf cart parking is permissible.

Golf carts and low speed vehicles (LSVs) need to be equipped with headlights, taillights, turn signals, seatbelts, side-view and rearview mirrors, a windshield and front, rear and parking brakes.

Pay attention, dear friends of mine: Whether on two wheels or four, and whether two or four-legged, everyone deserves to be safe.

By Frank