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A common sight from quiet side streets to busy highways, golf carts have expanded beyond the golf course. Their use has been institutionalized in municipalities, where families are replacing minivans and SUVs with nimble vehicles for quick trips or cruising around the neighborhood.
“Slow-moving transport 'troops' are gradually taking over American roads,” The Wall Street Journal noted.
While four-wheelers are transforming small-town life, attitudes toward them remain mixed. On the Reddit forum r/nashville, a member asked, “Who decided golf carts belong on the road?”
“This phenomenon is typical for ‘elite neighborhoods’,” another user commented.
Another panelist added: “In 2008 they started to be labelled as NEV (near-velocity electric vehicles) – an environmentally friendly alternative to reduce congestion on short routes.”
Online community members debate the use of golf carts on the road. (iStock)
“The rich suddenly consider them a stylish accessory,” another commentator opined.
A comment appeared on Reddit: “They are creating absolute chaos in our area.”
However, another participant countered: “Compared to high-riding pickup trucks, SUVs or sedans, golf carts are safer for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.”
Another Reddit community, r/homeowners, asked, “What's causing the surge in popularity of golf carts and UTVs?”
The author of the post talked about the changes in his area, noting: “Now you can see more and more representatives of ‘suburbanism’ here.”
“They've turned our neighborhood into a chaos zone,” one user wrote of the golf cart proliferation. (iStock)
The thread said: “I don't judge, but I don't understand. There are no golf clubs nearby. Maybe this is typical for remote residential areas.”
The author further added: “They travel around the area and even on highways with a speed limit of 65 km/h. Sometimes teenagers are driving. Is this a widespread trend?”
“I don't understand: a neighborhood without golf courses.”
Another commenter wrote: “They are popular in our area in upscale areas with public pools and parks.”
Someone asked, “Is this a new status symbol?”
Some participants spoke in defense of the technology.
“I have a legal right to travel on the roads: I go shopping or ride out of boredom,” the user shared. “Economical and nimble transport, copes well with mountain slopes and snow.”
According to municipal regulations, golf carts are only allowed on roads with a speed limit of 35 mph (56 km/h) and must be operated within a 4-mile (6.5 km) radius of the owner's home. (iStock)
Greenville, South Carolina, officials have updated their golf cart operating instructions to comply with a new state law.
The official announcement at X read: “Updated registration, license and terms of use requirements go into effect for golf cart owners in #GreenvilleSC.”
The new rules restrict the movement of such vehicles to roads with a speed limit of up to 56 km/h and an operating radius of no more than 6.5 km from the place of residence.
Greenville isn't the only city regulating the flow of golf carts.
In Peach Tree, Georgia, population 38,000, there are more than 11,000 such vehicles registered.
In Michigan, there were 50 golf cart crashes in 2023, three of which were fatal. (Robert Sherman, Fox News)
According to Michigan traffic accident statistics, golf carts were involved in 50 accidents last year, with three fatalities.
Counties across the state are implementing regulations to improve the safety of such vehicles.
The law prohibits movement half an hour before sunset and half an hour after sunrise. Also, in Michigan, lane splitting is prohibited – moving between rows of moving vehicles.
Additionally, golf carts are prohibited from moving through pedestrian areas.
Sourse: www.foxnews.com
