Pinehurst Village Council members are considering additional golf cart safety measures following a recent fatal crash and concerns about passenger safety.
During an Oct. 13 work session, council members discussed the village’s existing golf cart ordinance and potential changes to better protect residents while preserving golf carts as a common mode of transportation in the area.
It is estimated that approximately 1,500 golf carts are operating in Pinehurst, with a potential range of 1,300 to 1,700.
The village’s recommended initial response includes adding a prominent safety warning to golf cart registration packets, emailing safety notices to current registrants, and conducting a public awareness campaign focused on children, passenger safety, proper seating, licensed drivers, and crossing busy roads. Police will also continue enforcing existing requirements.
The existing ordinance requires golf cart operators to hold a valid North Carolina driver’s license and carry it while driving on public streets. Carts may carry only the number of passengers they are designed to seat, and operators cannot exceed 20 mph or drive faster than conditions reasonably allow.
According to the current golf cart packet, carts cannot be driven on or alongside roads with posted speed limits above 35 mph. They also cannot be driven on or alongside N.C. 5, N.C. 2, N.C. 211, U.S. 15-501, Morganton Road, Page Road, or Linden Road within corporate limits, though certain roads may be crossed directly. Crossings of N.C. 211 and U.S. 15-501 are limited to signalized intersections.
Seat Belts and Child Safety
One of the most debated issues was whether to require seat belts or other restraints, particularly for children.
Village staff does not recommend requiring seat belt retrofits on existing carts due to concerns about compatibility and whether the mounting points can safely support restraints. Staff also noted that officers would have difficulty determining whether passengers were wearing lap belts as carts passed.
Council members expressed differing views on whether the village should go further. It was noted that the American Academy of Pediatrics estimates approximately 6,500 pediatric emergency room visits annually from golf cart accidents nationwide, with children ages 12 and younger accounting for half of pediatric golf cart injuries.
Safer Crossings
Council members also discussed whether to restrict golf cart crossings of major roads to signalized intersections or roundabouts. Staff cautioned that such a change could significantly limit access to the village center for neighborhoods including Donald Ross, Dalrymple, Doral Woods, CCNC, and “the Lake neighborhoods.”
Members asked staff to explore whether additional protective crossings could be developed with the North Carolina Department of Transportation, particularly along N.C. 5. They also requested further review of restrictions affecting Memorial Drive and the hospital district.
The council stressed the challenge of balancing safety with access for residents who rely on golf carts to travel around the village.
Members also acknowledged that the discussion should continue beyond the immediate aftermath of the fatal crash. They agreed that additional data and research are needed before deciding whether to amend the ordinance.
No ordinance changes were approved, but members agreed the issue warrants further study and plan to include it in an upcoming strategic planning discussion.
Feature photo via Canva Stock Images.
Abegail Murphy | Assistant Editor
Article and photo by Sandhills Sentinel assistant editor Abegail Murphy. Abegail has been writing for Sandhills Sentinel since 2021.
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