A Georgia newspaper called on state lawmakers to close golf car loopholes.
An editorial in the Brunswick News noted that “Glynn County has been trying to address the issues posed by golf carts being driven around on county roads. To that end, the commission passed a golf cart ordinance last July. The ordinance, however, has yet to go into effect because of a problem at the state level.”
The editorial noted that Georgia state law includes two classes for golf cars – a personal transportation vehicle which has a top speed of 19mph and can transport no more than 8 people, and a low-speed vehicle, which has a top speed between 20 and 25. The county can regulate PTVs, but LSV regulation falls to the state. Glynn County commissioners drafted an ordinance after complaints. The ordinance laid out regulations such as all cars having the necessary equipment for road safety. However commissioner Peter Murphy said gas-powered LSVs and modified PTVs that perform like LSVs are not adequately regulated by the state.
The newspaper backed the plan by one state legislator that would allow PTV owners to take modified cars to inspectors to make sure they meet state specifications. If they do, the PTVs will get a VIN and be eligible for an LSV tag. (PTVs are currently not given VINs.)
“Closing this loophole,” the newspaper wrote, “would give all counties, not just Glynn, more clarity on what is their responsibility and what falls under the state’s jurisdiction when it comes to regulating golf carts. Government has a nasty habit of complicating something more than it should be. The state has a chance to make golf cart regulations easier for everyone to understand. Hopefully, they seize the opportunity to do just that.”
